Driving Through the Holidays: How to Balance Work, Family, and Pay This Holiday Season

The holiday season can bring joyful traditions, big family dinners, and meaningful moments — but it also brings one of the busiest times of the year for trucking. For many, balancing the demands of the road with time at home takes a little planning, dependable schedules, and support that makes both work and family life possible. What that balance looks like varies from person to person, but real experiences from current and former associates show the ways life on the road and life at home come together.

Home time That Supports Life Beyond the Road

Home time plays an important role in helping our associates manage the demands of the holiday season. Access to a variety of driving opportunities makes it possible to plan for consistent time at home, including weekly home time on select routes. This predictability allows you to schedule family gatherings, travel plans, and personal commitments with greater confidence.

Our team members often describe how returning home most weekends helps maintain balance, even during busy stretches. While schedules can shift based on freight needs — a reality of the industry — having a regular cadence makes it easier to plan ahead and stay present for important moments outside of work.

Time Off and Benefits That Matter

In addition to home time, paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays give our associates the flexibility to step away when needed. Whether it’s extending a weekend, attending a family event, or planning time at home around the holidays, having access to time off helps associates manage their schedules intentionally — and where it matters most.

Paid Time Off begins after 90 days of service, giving our associates the opportunity to relax, refresh, and refocus early in their careers. PTO increases with tenure, recognizing long-term commitment and experience. Eligible associates can earn:

• 1 week of PTO after 90 days of employment during their first calendar year (if hired before September 30)
• 1 week during the year in which their first anniversary occurs
• 2 weeks during years two through seven
• 3 weeks during years eight through nineteen
• 4 weeks during years twenty through twenty-nine
• 5 weeks during years thirty through thirty-nine
• 6 weeks during years forty through forty-nine
• 8 weeks beginning with the fiftieth anniversary and beyond

Paid company holidays begin after 30 days of service and include:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Together, PTO and paid holidays provide added peace of mind during the busiest times of the year, helping you balance time with family while still maintaining a dependable income. Combined with competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, time-off options help reduce financial strain during the season and support both short-term needs and long-term stability.

Planning Ahead During the Holidays

For many, planning ahead is key to navigating the holiday season. Using PTO strategically — whether to extend time at home or coordinate around important dates — allows drivers to create a schedule that supports both work and personal priorities.

Clear communication and early planning help make busy weeks more manageable. While schedules can shift based on freight needs, having time-off options in place gives associates the ability to plan with confidence and adjust as needed.

What Balance Looks Like During the Holidays

Work-life balance during the holidays doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people value predictable schedules that allow them to be home regularly, while others prioritize steady miles and earnings during peak freight periods. Across roles, our associates often highlight respectful working relationships and supportive teams that help make demanding weeks more manageable.

At the same time, we are realistic about the challenges that come with holiday freight. Planning ahead, communicating clearly, and remaining flexible are often part of finding the right balance. Many of our team members describe the experience as manageable and rewarding when expectations are clear and support systems are in place.

How To Navigate the Season

Over time, you can develop strategies that help you balance professional responsibilities with personal priorities during the holidays, including:

• Planning schedules early around key dates
• Using PTO strategically to extend time at home
• Staying connected with family while on the road
• Relying on service center teams and fellow associates for support

These approaches allow you to remain focused on your work while still making room for the moments that matter most.

Balancing Commitment and Connection

Driving through the holidays requires dedication, coordination, and support. For many of our team members, access to consistent home time, paid time off, and reliable pay makes it possible to balance the demands of the season without losing sight of family and personal priorities.

It’s not about choosing between work and home — it’s about finding a rhythm that allows both to coexist. Through thoughtful planning and strong support, our associates continue to keep freight moving while staying connected to what matters most.