topsverseLast Tuesday morning, I was grabbing coffee at a Flying J outside Bakersfield when I overheard two drivers talking about money troubles. One guy mentioned his mortgage payment going up again, while the other complained about how his company’s per-mile rate had not budged in three years. Sound familiar? If you have been driving for more than five minutes, you know this conversation happens at every truck stop in America.
Here is something most people do not realize about our industry right now. According to the American Trucking Association’s latest numbers, freight tonnage dropped from 11.41 billion tons in 2023 to 11.27 billion tons last year. Industry revenue fell from over one trillion dollars to 906 billion. Yet somehow, we still have 3.58 million professional drivers out here competing for fewer loads.
The math is brutal, but here is what I have learned after 15 years behind the wheel: the drivers making decent money are not just driving anymore. They have figured out how to turn their trucks, their schedules, and their knowledge into multiple income streams. I am talking about guys like my buddy Tommy from Tennessee who clears an extra 1,500 bucks monthly doing hotshot loads on weekends, or Sarah from Oregon who built a YouTube channel that now pays her truck payment.
This is not some get-rich-quick nonsense. These are real strategies that work with the weird schedule we live. Some require a pickup truck and strong back. Others need nothing but a smartphone and some hustle. I have tried most of these myself, talked to dozens of drivers who are doing them, and I will give you the straight story on what actually pays and what is just hype.
10 Side Hustles For Truck Drivers
1. App-Based Hauling When You Are Home
Remember when Uber was just for people? Now we have apps for everything, including moving stuff with your pickup truck. I started using Bungii about six months ago during home time, and it has been surprisingly decent money.
The deal is simple: people need furniture moved, appliances delivered, or construction materials hauled. They post a job, you bid on it, and if they pick you, you show up with your truck. Bungii pays up to 45 per hour for straightforward delivery jobs. GoShare can hit 52-68 per hour, but you need a larger truck and willingness to do heavy lifting.
My best week was during college move-out season. Made 890 in four days just helping kids move dorm furniture. The work is physical, but after sitting in a truck all week, I actually enjoyed using my muscles again.
You need your own pickup or van, plus basic tools for securing loads. Insurance gets tricky here though – your personal auto policy probably will not cover commercial hauling, so check with your agent first.
2. Hotshot Trucking for the Ambitious
This is where drivers with business sense can make real money. Hotshot trucking means hauling smaller, time-sensitive loads with a heavy-duty pickup and trailer. Think oil field equipment, construction materials, or anything that cannot wait for a full-size semi.
I know a driver named Rick who runs hotshot loads every weekend. He bought a used Ford F-350 dually and a 30-foot gooseneck trailer for about 45,000 total. Now he averages 8,000-12,000 monthly gross on weekend runs. His sweet spot is hauling water tanks to fracking sites – pays great because they need them fast.
The catch? You need your own authority, which means USDOT number, insurance, and all the regulatory headaches of running a business. Rick spent about 8,000 getting properly set up, but he says it paid for itself in three months.
Best part about hotshot is you control your schedule completely. Bad part is feast-or-famine income and dealing with brokers who sometimes make used car salesmen look honest.
3. Teaching Future Drivers Online
Here is something I stumbled into by accident. A neighbor’s kid was studying for his CDL permit and asked if I could help him understand air brakes. After a couple tutoring sessions, he told his friends, and suddenly I had five guys wanting to pay me to walk them through the permit test.
New CDL requirements mean students need 160 hours of training, including 40 hours of classroom time. That is expensive at driving schools, so many guys appreciate one-on-one help from experienced drivers. I charge 40 per hour for video calls where we go through practice tests, explain pre-trip inspections, or just talk about what life on the road is really like.
The money is not huge – maybe 400-600 monthly – but it feels good helping new drivers avoid the mistakes I made early on. Plus, you can do it from your sleeper berth during a 34-hour reset.
4. Mobile Truck Repair
If you know your way around an engine, broken-down drivers will pay well for roadside help. I am not talking about major overhauls, but simple fixes that get someone rolling again.
My friend Carlos keeps basic parts in his personal truck – belts, hoses, fuses, light bulbs. When he sees a driver stuck at a truck stop, he offers to take a look. Fixed a guy’s trailer light connection for 75 last month. Replaced another driver’s serpentine belt for 120. Takes maybe an hour, and the customer is grateful as hell.
The liability concerns are real though. Carlos has a separate business license and insurance for this work. He also knows his limits – anything involving brakes or steering gets referred to a real shop.
5. Content Creation That Actually Works
YouTube channels about trucking are everywhere now, but most are terrible. Generic dash cam footage with no personality, or guys complaining about everything. There is room for authentic voices who actually have something to say.
Take Big Rig Travels – that guy built a huge following by being genuine and educational. He shows real truck stops, explains industry changes, reviews gear that actually works. Now he makes serious money from YouTube ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
I started a small channel six months ago focusing on truck maintenance tips. Nothing fancy – just me explaining how to properly check your fifth wheel or diagnose common electrical problems. Got about 12,000 subscribers now and make roughly 300-500 monthly from it. Not life-changing money, but it pays my truck insurance.
The key is being yourself and providing real value. Do not try to copy someone else’s style or fake enthusiasm. Viewers can spot phoniness immediately.
6. Seasonal Work That Pays Big
Winter in Minnesota taught me about snow plowing money. Holy cow, when a big storm hits, plow drivers make bank. I am talking 150-300 per hour during peak storms.
One driver I met in Fargo runs snow removal contracts with three shopping centers. Makes about 25,000 each winter just from December through March. Uses the same F-350 he pulls his RV with in summer.
Other seasonal opportunities include:
- Holiday delivery driving for Amazon (especially November-December)
- Agricultural hauling during harvest season
- Tourist area shuttle driving in summer
- Tax preparation if you have accounting background
The income is concentrated but often tax-free if structured right. Plus, seasonal work gives you a break from OTR life without losing income.
7. Buying and Flipping Large Items
This one requires good eye for value and somewhere to store stuff, but profit margins can be excellent. Basically, you use your pickup to buy undervalued furniture, appliances, or equipment, then resell at fair market price.
I know a driver who hits estate sales every home time. Bought a commercial mixer for 150, cleaned it up, sold it for 650. Found a vintage Harley in rough shape for 2,500, put 800 into parts and labor, flipped it for 6,200.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are goldmines if you know what to look for. Key is having storage space and mechanical skills to fix minor problems.
8. Remote Dispatching Work
Your years of experience are valuable to small carriers struggling with logistics. Many owner-operators and tiny fleets need help finding loads, negotiating rates, and handling paperwork.
This work pays anywhere from 50-200 per load depending on complexity. You can do it from your sleeper berth with just a laptop and phone. Main requirements are industry knowledge, communication skills, and ability to work load boards effectively.
I tried this briefly but found it stressful dealing with demanding customers while trying to drive safely. Some drivers love it though, especially older guys transitioning away from full-time driving.
9. Local Moving Help
Apps like Dolly and Lugg connect you with people needing moving assistance. Different from the hauling apps because this is labor plus truck – you are helping load, transport, and unload.
Pay ranges from 35-50 per hour, and jobs typically last 2-4 hours. Physical work but good exercise, and customers usually tip well if you are professional and careful with their stuff.
Biggest challenge is scheduling around your driving career, since these apps work best with consistent availability. Best suited for drivers with predictable home time.
10. Vehicle Advertising
This is the laziest money on the list. Companies pay you to put advertisements on your personal vehicle. We are talking 50-300 monthly depending on your driving patterns and location.
Not huge money, but literally zero effort once the wrap is installed. Some companies want mileage logs or photos, but mostly you just drive normally and collect checks.
Main downside is your truck looks like a billboard, and you cannot control what gets advertised. But if you need 100 monthly for something specific, this works.
Conclusion
Start small with something you can do during existing home time. Try one of the app-based services or offer mechanical help at your local truck stop. See how you like the extra work and whether it fits your lifestyle.
If it goes well, consider bigger commitments like hotshot trucking or starting a YouTube channel. But do not quit your driving job until the side hustle income is consistent and substantial.
Most importantly, keep proper insurance and stay legal. Making extra money is great, but not if it costs you everything when something goes wrong.
The trucking industry is changing whether we like it or not. Drivers who adapt and diversify their income will thrive. Those who stick to the old model of trading hours for miles might struggle.
Your truck, your schedule, your knowledge – these are all assets you can monetize beyond just driving loads from point A to point B. The opportunity is there if you are willing to hustle for it.
Just remember: there are no get-rich-quick schemes that actually work. But with some effort and smart thinking, you can definitely improve your financial situation while still living the trucking lifestyle.