As the beginning of 2025, it’s time to summarize the latest conditions for truck drivers in different states. Whether you are an experienced CDL driver, purchase driver, or owner-operator in this article you will get more information on which states are currently providing the best opportunities for you and which are the worst in order to plan your job and life in the best possible way for 2025.
Best options for truck drivers in 2025
North Carolina
There are 3 reasons why in 2025 North Carolina will remain one of the trucking-friendliest states.
- North Carolina’s geographical location on the USA map makes it easy to travel to any other state in the Southeast.
- North Carolina is famous for its reliable highway system and good transportation infrastructure.
- North Carolina’s economy is focused on manufacturing and agriculture. This has always been important to the needs of truck drivers.
If you just plan to start a career in trucking it’s a good idea to look for truck driving jobs in North Carolina as they are friendly enough to be a starting point for newbies.
Texas
Over the years Texas remains one of the best states for truck drivers.
- Texas is known for its well-built highway network and low fuel prices.
- The law is very friendly for truck drivers in Texas. Compared to other states, where there are plenty of restrictions, Texas drivers can earn more and spend less.
- Texas’ economy strongly focuses on oil, gas, and agricultural products.
Tennessee
Truck drivers can also find one of the best job opportunities in Tennessee. This state provides a very friendly environment for workers due to such reasons as:
- Tennessee is known for having some of the lowest prices in the country.
- It also has a strong transportation sector and many job opportunities.
- Tennessee’s central location allows truck drivers to get quickly to any other state in the country.
Florida
Last but not least Florida owns a place on the list of best states for truckers.
- Florida’s mild weather allows truck drivers to work through the entire year without facing dangerous climate events.
- Florida is also well-known for its convenient motorways.
- High port occupancy increases the need for numerous employees in the sphere of truck driving.
Worst opportunities in 2025
California
Unfortunately for California trucking companies, the state remains on the list of the worst places for employees. Though California has a strong economy and lots of job offers, it’s also well-known for its high costs especially for fuel, plenty of restrictions, and complicated navigation.
New Jersey
One more state we can’t recommend for work in 2025 is New Jersey. Although the state is crucial for Northeast of the USA, it can create significant problems for truck drivers due to:
- Overcrowded roads.
- High fees.
- High operating costs.
New York
And the last one on the list of the worst states for truck driving is New York. This is due to:
- Complicated driving and frequent traffic jams in New York City.
- High cost of living.
- Problematic parking.
How to choose the right state?
After reviewing the best and the worst states for truck drivers, there’s always a question: “How to choose the right state for work?”. There are a few parameters you have to consider. These are: low fuel prices, central location, and the growth of the economy. That’s why North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida are the best matches. On the other hand, high costs of living, overcrowded roads, and complicated navigation can be a serious problem for truck drivers in California, New Jersey, and New York.
If you want to start or continue your career as a truck driver in 2025, it’s always a good idea to check such parameters as mentioned previously, before applying for any job advertisement.