Love on the road with Averitt

When it comes to team driving, many people often wonder: can you team drive with your significant other? The answer is a resounding YES! While not every relationship is set up to thrive in an environment that takes you over the road, there are many couples who say that teaming up together has been one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

Team drivers make more money because their truck is always moving - one driver rests while the other is in the driver’s seat. Husband-and-wife teams are able to share that income instead of splitting it with a non-spouse partner. Teaming up also gives couples extra time together they wouldn’t typically have if only one spouse was a driver. Between balancing rest and driving shifts, many couples connect over exploring new places around the country, enjoying meals together and doing the daily trucking and business tasks side-by-side.

Some would even say that teaming up with a spouse is better for your health because you have a built-in support system. You’re less likely to feel alone because you have someone you love and trust right beside you. That person is also as invested in your health and fitness goals as you are, and your meal and workout plans are ones you can do together. Additionally, it’s no surprise that many husband-and-wife teams experience less stress and anxiety.

Drivers Chariot and William Hughes weren’t always on the road together, but that’s exactly where their love story began. They were each solo drivers working for different companies and got snowed in at the same truck stop.

“I was a stay-at-home mom and I just needed something that was going to help secure employment,” says Chariot. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do it, but I went to school, started driving and I love it.”

William worked in construction before becoming a truck driver.

“I would be out on the roof in the hot summer, watching the trucks go by,” William explains. “Trucking looked like it was the life, sitting in the truck with the air conditioner on and nobody looking over your shoulder. That’s what motivated me to do it.”

Both of them were driving through Arkansas when a big snowstorm hit. They ended up stuck at the same truck stop for 2-3 days and have been inseparable ever since.

When the couple decided to drive together, they chose to build a career with us at Averitt.

“The pay, home time and benefits were really appealing,” says William. “I’ve driven for 20 years, but the amount of professionalism at Averitt is so much better than any other company I’ve ever dealt with. How they treat drivers, how their focus is on drivers, whether they’re happy or not and how they’re doing… that says a lot.”

We have team driving opportunities on our LTL shuttle and some dedicated accounts. Shuttle teams average $190,000 per year split, while dedicated team pay varies by account. We’re also proud to offer a company-sponsored per diem program, weekly home time, predictable schedules, state-of-the-art equipment, over 100 safe and secure facilities across 21 states, and some of the best benefits around. It’s no surprise that drivers continually choose Averitt as their career home.

“I’ve never seen a company have so many employees who’ve been here as long as they’ve been here. Over 20 years,” Chariot adds. “Their motto about hiring you to retire you – you can see that it’s actually implemented at Averitt.”

Are you and your significant other ready to take your love story on the road? Give us a call today to get started!