[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Trucking companies and industry groups gear up for NTDAW
Werner, Pilot, Love’s, Sheetz and other organizations plan offers and events for drivers
| Updated:
Werner will host NTDAW events including drivers, maintenance technicians, office employees and customers, and Werner executives will participate in question-and-answer sessions.(Werner Enterprises)
Key Takeaways:
- Trucking companies, travel centers and industry groups are offering giveaways, discounts and recognition events during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept. 13-19, with some promotions lasting all month.
- Promotions include a custom Kenworth truck giveaway, $50,000, driver rewards and service plaza events, marking the observance’s 38th year.
- Pilot’s Road Warrior nominations close Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m., with the winner scheduled to be announced in October.
Trucking companies, travel centers and other industry organizations are rolling out giveaways, discounts and recognition events for professional drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs Sept. 13-19.
American Trucking Associations started NTDAW in 1988. It is celebrating its 38th year with the slogan, "For the Miles You Drive And the Sacrifices You Make: Thank You, Truck Drivers!"
“Whenever we click ‘add to cart’ or pick up an item from the store shelf, our first impulse should be to feel gratitude for America’s 3.6 million truck drivers who perform the logistical feats necessary to get us the items we want on a daily basis,” said Greg Hodgen, Chairman of American Trucking Associations and CEO of Groendyke Transport.
“National Truck Driver Appreciation Week provides all Americans with the opportunity to give truck drivers the recognition and gratitude they richly deserve," he said. "Their extraordinary dedication, professionalism, attention to detail and skill are the keys to keeping our roads safe and our country moving.”
Groendyke Transport ranks No. 88 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America.
ATA says trucks move about 72% of the nation's freight. The organization urges the industry to engage with their communities during NTDAW. Throughout the week, ATA staff will distribute gift bags to professional drivers at truck and rest stops.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises will hold appreciation events at Werner, Baylor and FirstFleet locations nationwide. The events will include drivers, maintenance technicians, office employees and customers, and Werner executives will participate in question-and-answer sessions.
The observance coincides with Werner’s 70th anniversary. The company was founded in 1956 by a driver with one truck.
Werner ranks No. 19 on the for-hire TT100.
#NTDAW26 starts NOW! 🎉
Werner leaders are hitting the road to celebrate the incredible drivers who Keep America Moving!We’ll be stopping across the country over the next two weeks bringing food, gifts and dedicated 1:1 time with leadership.
📰 Read the full announcement:… pic.twitter.com/S1lxqUklds— Werner Enterprises (@One_Werner) September 9, 2026
Averitt
Averitt Express is hosting cookouts, bringing in food trucks and serving special meals during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. The carrier also is conducting companywide drawings for electronics, headsets and other prizes. Each day from Sept. 13-19, one driver is receiving an assignment for a new truck.
The activities coincide with Averitt’s 55th anniversary. The company began operations in 1971 with two drivers, three tractors and five trailers.
Averitt ranks No. 29 on the for-hire TT100.
Pilot Co.
Pilot Co. is partnering with the Diesel Brothers and Kenworth Truck Co. to give one professional driver a custom-built Kenworth truck and $50,000 through its Road Warrior contest.
Nominations are open through Sept. 18 at 11:59 p.m. for drivers who demonstrate professionalism, prioritize safety and serve as stewards of the trucking industry.
Pilot debuted the truck in a social media announcement featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. and David “Diesel Dave” Kiley. Coverage of the truck’s build will appear on Pilot’s social media channels before the winner is announced in October.
Road Warrior is back, and this year may be our biggest yet.
We're teaming up with @DaleJr, @KenworthTruckCo and Diesel Brothers to give one deserving professional driver a customized semi-truck and $50,000 cash.
Nominations open Tuesday, September 1st! pic.twitter.com/xf3lzfMJel— Pilot Flying J (@PilotFlyingJ) August 28, 2026
Drivers can be nominated at pilotcompany.com/nominate-a-road-warrior.
Pilot also is offering free weekly rewards through its app during September and holding unannounced events at selected locations around the country.
Pilot ranks No. 33 on the TT Top 100 private carriers list.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love’s Travel Stops is offering professional drivers double points on in-store purchases and triple points on drink refills throughout September through the Love’s Rewards App.
Food offers include:
Sept. 7-13: buy-one, get-one-free breakfast sandwiches
Sept. 13-19: two Subway footlong sandwiches for $13.99; free 3-ounce Old Wisconsin meat snack with the purchase of two
Sept. 14-20: free egg cup with the purchase of a three-count Drummies order
Sept. 16: free single-serve Little Debbie item
Sept. 21-27: buy-one, get-one-free tacos
Also, from Sept. 1-Oct. 28, drivers get two free pairs of gloves with the purchase of one pair.
Love’s ranks No. 29 on the private TT100.
Sheetz
Through Sept. 30, Sheetz has reduced the price of bulk diesel exhaust fluid to $1.99 per gallon at 55 locations. At 59 locations offering high-flow truck diesel, the company is giving away commercial diesel hats through Sept. 30 while supplies last.
Also, My Sheetz Rewardz members who purchase high-flow diesel can receive a free half-size sub. And members who pump 100 gallons can receive one free made-to-order item or beverage per day through Oct. 27.
Port of Long Beach
On Sept. 15, the Port of Long Beach is holding Trucker Appreciation Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the waiting lot at the southwest corner of Pico Avenue and Broadway. The event will include free breakfast, refreshments and port-branded giveaways.
Drivers attending the event also can receive free testing required under the California Air Resources Board’s Clean Truck Check program.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association will hold events at five service plazas during NTDAW:
Sept. 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Allentown (Milepost 55.9 north and south)
Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Peter J. Camiel (MP 304.8 west)
Sept. 16, 3 to 7 p.m.: Sideling Hill (MP 172.3 east and west)
Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Oakmont-Plum (MP 49.3 east)
Sept. 17, 3 to 7 p.m.: Lawn (MP 258.8 west)
Drivers can receive free giveaways, and volunteers will provide information about the trucking industry and sharing the road with commercial vehicles.
Army & Air Force Exchange Service
Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores worldwide will display signs, banners and other messages of recognition for truck drivers.
More than 150 drivers deliver for the Exchange worldwide, and 29% are veterans. The fleet also transports 53-foot mobile field exchanges that serve as stores in areas affected by natural disasters.
Samsara
On Sept. 10, Samsara launched its Driver Perks program in the United States. The program includes offers from more than 50 companies in categories including food and beverages, wellness, fitness, travel and automotive products.
Eligible drivers can access the program through the Samsara Driver App or a QR code supplied by their organization. Participating companies set their own terms, and drivers redeem offers directly with those companies.
Samsara Driver Perks is here.
Professional drivers at Samsara customer organizations now get free access to discounts from more than 50 brands across food, wellness, gear, travel, and more.
It’s the first rewards program built for professional drivers that's free to drivers… pic.twitter.com/6Y6nbwPeq6— Samsara (@Samsara) September 10, 2026
Fleetworthy
Fleetworthy is waiving the $25 activation fee for owner-operators who enroll in its toll management service, formerly known as Bestpass, through Sept. 26.
Truck Centers
Troy, Ill.-based Truck Centers will give small gifts to customers who visit any of its 10 dealerships and recognize more than 40 dispatch drivers who move trucks among company locations and to customers.
Customers at all Truck Centers locations also can enter drawings for one of four $1,000 fuel cards from Sept. 14-18. Winners will be notified during the week of Sept. 21.
Let us know what your company or group is doing for truck drivers during NTDAW. Email us at tteditor@trucking.org.
Assisted by AI.
