Behind the Wheel of the Forest Products Industry
This special Tuesday edition of our Woods to Mill is dedicated to National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 14–20—a time to honor the men and women who keep America’s forest products supply chain moving. Truck drivers are essential connectors from the woods to the mill. More than 15 million loads of logs are hauled annually in the U.S., and nearly 9% of all freight ton-miles nationwide come from forest products. Behind every construction site, office, and home supplied with forest-based products is a professional driver making it possible.
Three years ago, I had the chance to step into the boots of a log truck driver for a day. Wanting to learn more about the job, I reached out to a friend who contracted with loggers to haul logs to mills. He welcomed me but probably wondered if I could I truly understand the challenges of driving a log truck without experiencing it firsthand?
What I learned that day was eye-opening. It’s easy to overlook the complexity and demands of truck driving—especially in the forest products industry, where hauling logs from remote harvest sites to processing mills is not just routine, but essential. Drivers begin their day well before sunrise, navigating narrow county roads, and crossing aging infrastructure. Their routes wind through small rural towns, school zones, and deal with unpredictable traffic.
Even the most carefully planned route offers no guarantee of safety. Beyond the physical conditions of the roads, drivers must contend with unpredictable behavior of other motorists—cars that speed through intersections, drift across lanes, or attempt dangerous passes that put everyone at risk. Research indicates that allowing log trucks limited access to interstate highways avoid these variables and could improve both safety and efficiency of hauling logs from the woods to the mill.
These daily obstacles are exactly why we honor truck drivers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Log truck drivers shoulder enormous responsibility, and every mile driven carries risk. Their skill and vigilance ensure that essential forest products, including logs, lumber, paper, and packaging, reach the people and businesses that rely on them. Acknowledging their contributions underscores the essential role drivers play in the wood supply chain.
Thousands of individuals work as drivers supporting the forest sector. Their work sustains local economies, creates jobs, and keeps industries running smoothly. This week—and every week—we recognize their contributions and are grateful for their dedication.
Thank you, truck drivers, for keeping America’s forest products supply chain moving. Your dedication keeps our industry and our nation moving forward.
FRA has many resources that shine a light on truck drivers, and we encourage you to check them out during Truck Driver Appreciation Week!
Woods to Mills
Safety – An Important Element of Forestry Transportation
Are You a Man or a Mouse? Truck Driver Appreciation
Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Be Seen, Be Alive: Revisiting a Log Truck Safety Message That Still Matters
THATS Foundation Doing Its Part to Promote Dash Cameras as an Effective Tool for Trucking Safety
