Truck drivers need to sleep just like the rest of us. The only difference is where they sleep. Truck drivers, especially long haul drivers spend weeks or even months away from home at a time. If you are wondering how in the world they do this and where do they sleep you are not alone, apparently a lot of  people wonder the same thing.

Where do truckers sleep?

People search the internet for an answer to this question all the time. Truck drivers don’t sleep in hotels, they sleep in what is called a sleeper cab. Sleeper cabs are like small (really small) rooms behind the driver seat.

In this article I’m going to give you a peek into the world of truck drivers and where they sleep.

Not All Truckers Sleep In Their Truck

It is worthwhile to first point out that not all truckers need to sleep because a lot of them go home at night. These truck drivers usually drive local so that they can deliver their loads and get back home to sleep in their own bed every night. Sometimes people think that all truck drivers drive long distances and away from home for long periods of time. The truth is a lot of truck drivers never even leave the area they live in.

These trucks are called day cabs. They don’t have a sleeper cab in them. This cab is strictly for drivers that are not going to be away for home for long periods of time and therefore don’t need a sleep space.

Take a look at the picture above and compare it with the long haul truck further down. Notice that this truck is lacking the sleeper cab behind the driver seat. For local drivers there is no need for a sleeper cab because they go home every day. So, the next time you see a truck and wonder where they sleep just look to see if there is a sleeper cab. If there is no sleeper cab then that driver goes home after delivering their loads.

Which Truck Drivers Sleep In Their Truck?

Long haul truck drivers sleep in their trucks. These truck drivers are often called OTR (Over The Road) drivers because they drive a lot of miles across the country each day. These drivers can be away from home for days, weeks, or even months at a time.

Life as a long haul trucker is not easy. Imagine being away from your home for long periods of time and not having access to your bathroom, bedroom, and washer/dryer. Heck, most people can’t handle being away from home for a few days without freaking out.

When people ask where truck drivers sleep they are usually talking about these long haul drivers. These truck drivers sleep in their sleeper cabs (or sleeper berth) behind the seats. Take a look at the picture below, notice the difference between the truck in this picture and the truck in the previous picture? That’s right, that extra space behind the driver seat is where the truck driver sleeps. There is a mattress like this one that is usually similar in size to a full size mattress. Just like home they need to have sheets and pillows as well to keep them warm and comfy.

For a truck driver their cab is their home and office. It’s where they go to sleep, cook, exercise , and relax. Think of it as a tiny apartment on wheels.

What Else Is In the Sleeper Cab?

Not much. The sleeper cab is a tight space that has limited storage space and room for a small cooler/refrigerator like this 12 volt cooler and a few appliances like a small microwave, television, and a coffee maker. Don’t expect to find a luxurious little apartment back there. There is nothing luxurious about it. A lot of truck drivers do like to make the best of it and get a better quality mattress, some comfortable sheets, and some creature comforts like a PlayStation or Xbox to keep them entertained.

Do Semi Trucks Have Toilets?

Trucks never come with toilets, sinks, or showers. How do truck drivers pee? Well, this often depends on the driver and the situation. The truck driver has to take care of that stuff at truck stops but realistically there isn’t always one around when they have to go. It’s not unheard of for truckers to use bottles (often Gatorade because of the wide mouth) to pee into. It’s better to do this than stopping to use the restroom every few hours. Stopping to use the restroom often means lost time and money. This might not sound appealing but sometimes it really is the best option.

Regarding grooming, the best some truckers will do is carry some water in a container like this one (Amazon link) that they can use to wash up and brush their teeth in the morning. Other than that most grooming is done at truck stops.

What About Hotels?

Most truck drivers stay away from hotels because they cost money. These men and women are out here trying to make money, not spend it. Staying at a hotel is just too expensive  and often they have a hard time finding parking for their trucks. It’s much easier to find a parking spot at a truck stop or business parking lot. Once they get parked its time to shut down, and go into their sleeper cab to relax and get some sleep.

There you have it, you now know where truck drivers sleep. The next time you come across a parked truck that has a sleeper cab try to keep it quiet, there is probably someone inside trying to get some sleep so they can get back on the road as soon as possible.