The trucking industry is a massive pillar of the global economy, playing a crucial role in transporting goods across long distances. With over 7.1 million people employed in the industry (6% of the U.S. working population), it's clear how essential this sector is to the logistics chain. Of this number, 3.5 million are truck drivers, and 1.6 million handle heavy-duty vehicles.

But it's not just the size of the workforce that stands out—truck drivers endure some of the most hazardous work conditions. With an average age of 49 and earning an average annual pay of $40,260, they work around 70 hours per week. This commitment translates into truck drivers covering 432 billion miles annually, an impressive distance that could reach Pluto and back 25 times!

Fuel costs also play a significant role, with 54 billion gallons of fuel used per year and the industry spending $143 billion on fuel alone. Trucking remains a challenging, yet vital, part of the transportation infrastructure.