In an effort to understand the current state of mental health in the trucking industry, JW Surety Bonds surveyed more than 370 U.S. truck drivers across generations.
When asked about the top sources of stress, the drivers said the following:
Traffic and congestion (34%)
Fatigue or lack of sleep (27%)
Long hours (27%)
Tight delivery deadlines (26%)
Safety concerns (26%)
Loneliness or isolation (23%)
Poor communication from dispatch or management (22%)
Low pay (20%)
Mental Health Findings
More than 3 in 4 truck drivers (77%) said stress or mental fatigue had made them less alert or more prone to errors on the road.
Over 1 in 10 drivers (12%) said their employer does not offer any mental health resources or benefits.
Over 1 in 10 drivers (11%) don’t feel comfortable discussing mental health with their supervisor or dispatcher.
Over 1 in 5 drivers (21%) don’t believe their employer genuinely cares about their well-being.
Nearly 3 in 4 drivers (72%) admitted they’ve hidden a mental health struggle out of fear it would affect their job.
Over 4 in 5 drivers (84%) would accept slightly lower pay in exchange for better mental health support and more home time.
Over 4 in 5 drivers (81%) said they want mental health days to be offered as an official job benefit.
Analysis by generations
Among Gen X and older drivers, 80% reported feeling both stressed and burned out, while an even greater 87% reported feeling isolated or lonely. More than 7 in 10 (73%) experienced depression, and 60% said they felt anxious behind the wheel.
Millennial drivers, the largest group in the survey, reported similar struggles, with 87% saying they felt stressed, 80% feeling burned out, and 87% experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness. Emotional fatigue was also common, as 84% felt anxious and 79% had experienced depression during their time on the road.
For Gen Z drivers, the pattern shifted slightly. While fewer (40%) said they felt stressed, 70% reported being burned out and another 70% said they often felt isolated or lonely. Emotional distress was still high: 57% experienced anxiety, and 86% reported depression, the highest rate of any generation.
Every generation cited traffic and congestion as the top cause of stress, but the other triggers varied:
Gen X: Traffic and congestion (47%), long hours (47%), and fatigue or lack of sleep (40%)
Millennials: Traffic and congestion (34%), fatigue or lack of sleep (27%), and long hours (27%)
Gen Z: Traffic and congestion (31%), safety concerns (29%), and tight delivery deadlines (26%)
Coping Mechanisms
When faced with emotional struggles, most drivers said they try to manage in ways that keep them connected and focused. Over half (54%) said they called or texted family and friends, while 52% turned to other drivers for support. Many (51%) relied on music or podcasts to cope during long stretches on the road.
However, not all coping strategies were healthy. One in four (25%) admitted to using alcohol or substances to manage stress, and 24% said they simply kept their struggles to themselves. Only 6% of drivers sought professional help through therapy, telehealth, or counseling, highlighting how stigma and limited access to care continue to keep many truckers from getting the support they need.