DATA SPOTLIGHT
September 1, 2023

The U.S.’s Sleepiest States for Freight

DATA SPOTLIGHT

In 2017, the ELD mandate was issued to create a safer work environment for freight truck drivers. ELD devices track hours of service driving, time idling (while waiting for freight loading/unloading, for example), sleeping, and off duty. A key benefit of tracking and logging drivers’ time spent in the cab is meant to make sure they are taking time to rest and sleep - not exposing themselves, or others, to dangerous driving conditions. Driving without adequate rest can lead to similar conditions as driving under the influence. And being in control of a piece of machinery that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds means drivers need to be alert and focused. 

FleetOps is in a unique position as our platform is embedded across multiple ELDs and automatically generates insights based on the data powered by electronic logging devices. And with sleep powering all freight drivers, we wondered where those drivers were slumbering. 

We discovered the five sleepiest states for freight drivers were:

  • Montana
  • Wyoming
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico

U.S. Sleepiest States for Freight

Perhaps it's not surprising but FleetOps’ ELD data reveals that the sleepiest states for drivers are either “flyover states” in the middle of the country or neighbors to some of the busiest freight states in America. Drivers are taking a break and potentially hitting the slots in Nevada prior to picking up or delivering loads in California. Drivers with loads en route to and from Texas are often stopping to rest in New Mexico. This leaves the majority of the top resting states as common waypoints for long-haul drivers in the middle of America.

Data source: FleetOps is embedded across multiple ELDs capturing hours of service data, location data, carrier preferences, and engine data. These visuals are based on a random sample of 2000 drivers active in the 2022 calendar year. Our charts are meant to share a perspective on the spot-freight market, not to be used in making business decisions.

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