Category: trucking industry

Founder of Love’s Travel Stop Passes Away at Age 85

Posted on March 8, 2023 by - truck stop, trucking industry, trucking industry facts

When traveling down the interstate, seeing a Love’s Truck Stop isn’t an uncommon sight. With over six hundred stores in 42 states, and numerous rewards under its belt, including Corporation of the year in 1991 and the President’s Award for Service to God and Country in 1996, it’s not hard to see that it is a very successful business. The company owes its success to its founder, Tom Love who passed away on March 7, 2023, at the age of 85.

In the mid-1960s, Tom and his wife Judy leased an abandoned service station to open their first gas station which later developed into a chain of gas stations located near Oklahoma City. In an attempt to diversify his products and revenue, he got the idea to attach convenience stores to his existing gas stations. As a result, his gas stations became the first to offer grocery items and self-service gasoline in the 1970s. The first Love’s travel stop was opened in Texas in 1981, catering to both truckers and motorists alike. 

Today Love’s offers a wide array of services including roadside assistance for commercial trucks, emergency roadside vehicles, truck maintenance, parking, hot and fresh food items, shower facilities, restaurants, and even hotels at some locations. It is the largest business in its industry and is still family-owned. Tom’s love of sports also managed to get Love’s as one of the partners of his hometown’s NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Tom Love’s legacy will continue to live on in his widely popular business that continues to offer a number of convenient services for truckers and motorists alike. He contributed a lot to the trucking industry by providing truckers with places to park, take showers, purchase food, and even repair their trucks if needed. Love’s Truck Stop even goes as far as giving away millions of My Loves Rewards points during Trucker Appreciation Week for truckers to use at any Love’s location. They also hold Christmas giveaways for a number of useful items. During Christmas, they have donated to the St. Christopher Truckers Fund, a charity that helps truckers and their families when illness or injury causes them to be out of work. Even after Tom Love has passed, Love’s continues to make a positive contribution to the trucking industry helping truckers around the country.

Trucking Industry Trivia with ExpressTruckTax!

Posted on February 23, 2023 by - expresstrucktax, trucking industry, trucking industry facts

Do you think you know everything about the trucking industry? Whether you have been driving a truck for years now or just getting started, it’s time to test your knowledge about trucking. Who knows, you might learn a few facts about trucking that you didn’t know before.

Q: How long does a typical semi-truck engine last?

A: A semi-truck engine can last up to around one million miles, while a typical car engine usually only lasts around 200,000 miles.

Q: What does the word “semi” actually refer to?

A: The word “semi” actually refers to the trailer pulled by trucks. This is because it only has wheels on one end. Semi-truck refers to the truck and the trailer combined. 

Q: What is the distance it takes for a semi-truck to come to a complete stop?

A: The distance it takes for a semi-truck to come to a complete stop is around 720 feet, which equals the length of two football fields. 

Q: True or False? Semi-trucks get into fewer accidents on the road than regular cars?

A: True. Semi-trucks get into three times fewer accidents than regular noncommercial vehicles. 

Q: How long is the average truck and trailer?

A: The average truck and trailer are around 75 feet long.

Q: How much does a semi-truck cost?

A: The average semi-truck can cost anywhere between $80,000 and $200,000 depending on the brand and if you are buying it new or used.  

Q: What average speed should a truck drive to save fuel?

A: If you drive your truck at speeds of around 65 miles an hour, you will consume over twenty-five percent compared to if you were to drive around 75 miles an hour. This is good to know especially with fuel costs being high.

Q: How many miles does the average trucker travel in a year?

A: On average, a truck driver travels around 100,000 miles in a year. 

Q: True or false: Interstate highways that run East-West have even numbers and those that run North-South have odd numbers?

A: True. If an interstate has an even number (Example: I-80) it will run East-West and if it has an odd number it will run North-South (Example: I-85). 

Q: How much has emission from heavy trucks been reduced since the 1980s?

A: Emission from heavy trucks has been reduced by around 95% since the 1980s. Clean diesel technology has made it possible for around 60 modern-day trucks to put out the amount of emission equivalent to one truck in the 1980s.

How many of these questions did you know the answer to already? Even if you didn’t know many of these answers, there’s always something new to learn about the trucking industry. ExpressTruckTax is here to help drivers in the trucking industry file Form 2290 for their Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. This must be filed by drivers of trucks weighing 55,000 pounds or more annually to the IRS. Hopefully, you knew that already. If not, it is not too late to file your Form 2290 and avoid any additional penalties. What are you waiting for? File your Form 2290 today and who knows, maybe learn even more about the trucking industry from us in the future!

Clientele Spotlight: Black History Month 2023

Posted on February 3, 2023 by - Black History Month, trucking industry, trucking industry facts

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we are dedicated to helping guarantee truckers and trucking companies a simple and easy Form 2290 filing experience. We also acknowledge the amazing efforts drivers put in to keep our nation running. It is officially February, which means it is Black History Month. 

Black History Month was first suggested by Black United Students at Kent State University in 1969 and was soon adopted as a celebration around the country. In 1976 it was recognized by President Gerald Ford during the United States bicentennial, urging Americans to honor Black Americans and their accomplishments throughout history. In recent years, the trucking industry has seen steady growth in the amount of African American drivers in the industry. This means the industry is becoming more diverse and inclusive as a whole. 

As far as contributions to the transportation industry go, there have been many significant and impactful contributions made by African Americans throughout the years. One of these important figures is Garret Morgan who became known as the “Father of Transportation Technology” because of his invention of the traffic signal in 1923. 

Another important contribution to the transportation industry was made by Frederick McKinley Jones, who invented the mechanical transport refrigeration unit which is seen in today’s reefer freight haulers. He won the National Medal of Technology in 1991 for his invention. This has made it possible for trucks and train cars to transport fresh and frozen foods long distances. 

Meredith Gourdine also made an important contribution to the transportation industry with his development of an exhaust purification system in 1967. This invention is known as the catalytic converter, which helps minimize harmful emissions released into the air. 

In the mid-1970s through the 1980s, Dr. Gladys West, a famous African American mathematician programmed a 7030 Stretch computer. It was designed to map the shape of the earth and aided in the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). 

Here at ExpressTruckTax we value and celebrate our African American clients and want to make sure they all have the best filing experience possible. We also want to take the time to highlight some of our fantastic African American clientele and business owners that have generated their 2290 or 8849 Forms with us. We want to hear about your filing experiences!

If you would like your business featured, or want to shout out an African-American-owned trucking company you love, reach out to support@expresstrucktax.com.

We will feature these businesses through a Facebook post upon your approval. 

The Best Trucking Memes Of 2022 So Far

Posted on July 18, 2022 by - trucking industry, trucking life, trucking lifestyle

Need a break from the news? We’ve got you covered. Check out some of the best trucking memes from around the internet!

Wasn’t in the job description, but it might as well be. 🤷‍♂️🌤

Truckers have thick skin. It’ll take more than a finger to catch them off guard.😎💪

When you spend months training to drive professionally and everyone else still drives like a maniac.🤯

Don’t let the truck stop food have you like picture 2 🥴 CDL life doesn’t mean you have to be outta’ shape! 

What’s the safest answer, truckers? 👀🚛

I guess they just don’t understand! 🤣

Tanker haulers, who knew you guys were hauling such dangerous liquids?😯

Want More Trucking Memes?

Like and follow us on Facebook for more trying industry meme gold. 

Look Up! ExpressTruckTax Has A New Billboard

Posted on July 12, 2021 by - express truck tax, trucking industry, US Based Customer support

If you’re in the middle of a long road trip and catch yourself driving down Interstate 77, remember to look up! ExpressTruckTax is excited to announce that we have a new active billboard that stands tall over I-77!

This billboard displays a huge welcome to Rock Hill, SC, where our office, including our customer support team, is located and we take pride in our U.S. based office. Whenever you have questions or concerns about ExpressTruckTax, you’ll be talking to our team in South Carolina.

The billboard also shows ExpressTruckTax.com, our IRS-authorized program that was designed to make e-filing your Form 2290 quick and easy.This year’s tax period is open and the IRS is now accepting the Form 2290 tax returns.

E-file on ExpressTruckTax now and receive your Stamped Schedule 1 within minutes! The current deadline is at the end of August, so make sure your return is filed and paid by then!

Other trucking products from Span Enterprises are also displayed on this billboard, including TruckLogics, ExpressITFA, and TSNAmerica. These programs were created to help simplify the trucking business. We even offer a full service filling for Form 2290 through ExpressTruckTax’s sister company, TSNAmerica, where you can file your tax return, right over the phone!

ExpressTruckTax’s support team strives to help our clients! So everytime you call our office, you will be speaking to a real person! Our team provides service in both English and Spanish, to make sure all of our clients get the proper help that they deserve.

Although our team typically never gets to see our clients face-to-face, we would love to see you all! So if you’re ever near Rock Hill, SC, feel free to stop by our office and come meet all of our friendly faces!

The Best Trucking Memes Of 2021

Posted on March 11, 2021 by - trucking industry

Need a break from the news? Us too. Take a load off with these great new trucking memes from around the internet.

Get low
byu/jbond18251 inTruckers
Maybe only reefer drivers do this.
byu/dogmeatjones25 inTruckers
Super trucker
byu/crosiss76 inTruckers

Want More Trucking Memes?

Check out this list from our sister-product TruckLogics and follow us on Facebook for more trucking industry news and memes!

How to Spot Good Loads in Bad Markets

Posted on September 3, 2019 by - carrier, DAT, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, owner operator, trucking industry, trucking loads, trucking tips

This blog was written by Chad Boblett for DAT. Boblett is the owner and driver of Boblett Brothers Trucking in Lexington, KY. He also founded the “Rate Per Mile Masters” group on Facebook.


I have been a spot market pirate for almost nine years. As a pirate, you want to get in and get the good stuff. This means I use lots of tools to know where the most demand is for the trailer I pull.

If you look at the entire Lower 48 states as a whole, then you will find that most of the time the market is not flooded with more loads than trucks, but you will find that there is always a good market somewhere. And it’s always changing. This is what makes the spot market scary and exciting.

DAT load boards provide the largest and most trusted digital marketplace for truckload freight.

I have seen a polar vortex, an election year, and the ELD mandate bring raise and lower the demand for trucks drastically. In the second half of this year, tariffs could be another intensifier, followed by the 2020 election year. Just because a lot of markets are slow now doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. But it does make you have to work harder to find the good stuff.

The best strategy is for your destination to be a stronger market than where your truck is located now. There are two tricks for figuring this out.

– Do a reverse load search for where you are now and where you want to go. Are there more loads coming in than going out of your destination market? If so, then these trucks will become empty and be your competition for your next load. In the DAT TruckersEdge dashboard, you can see the number of inbound loads versus outbound loads for every state.

– Check the load-to-truck ratio. Pretend you are a guy going to a bar to talk to women – Do you want to go to a bar with a lot of dudes or would you like to be one of the few trucks in town that can take care of business. This is the way I look at the truck to load ratio numbers. I want a lot of loads with fewer trucks, and I use the Hot Market Maps in DAT Power to find those markets.

Our American Truckers: Introducing the Backbone of the US

Posted on August 29, 2019 by - American truck driver, American truckers, ELD Mandate, ELD regulations, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, life of a truck driver, truck driver, trucking industry

Meet America’s trucking industry, the backbone of our country.

Consumers across the U.S. rely on truckers to deliver their goods each day, often without a second thought as to where they came from.

It’s time that changed.

The American truck driver is responsible for transporting over 70% of total domestic tonnage each year.

On top of that, the trucking industry employs 10 million people.

We’re opening the curtains. Welcome to the life of a truck driver.

The Life of a Truck Driver

The “Our American Truckers” Series

The “Our American Truckers” YouTube series was started in part to draw attention to truck drivers across the country.

As part of the trucking industry, we appreciate our drivers and want the rest of the world to do the same.

That’s why we’re working to draw back the curtain between American truckers and the consumers that rely on them.

Our first episode featured Billy Cagle, a Wadesboro, NC truck driver for the entertainment industry.

He talked about his introduction to the trucking industry and gave us a look at what his experience in the industry means to him.

This time, for Episode 2, we spoke to Kennith Farrell, owner of KF Trucking right here in Rock Hill, South Carolina to get his take on everything trucking.

The American Trucker

Farrell spoke about how the trucking industry has changed over the years and the increasing demand for American truck drivers.

“In America, without trucks,” he says, “we don’t have a country.”

 

He’s right. America’s economy thrives off of the transportation industry and relies on ground transport of goods to remain in action.

Farrell speaks on the ELD mandate, in particular, giving a personal insight on how ELD regulations directly affect drivers.

Stepping into the life of a truck driver changes your outlook on certain things that may look different from the outside.

Farrell explains why ELD regulations have changed the trucking industry and affected him personally. He also takes a moment to reminisce…

“I got into it… I actually drove when I was 18 years old. I worked for a company called King Provision with my uncle delivering to Burger Kings,” he remembers.


He didn’t think it’d be his career until his brother suggested that they invest in their own truck.

The rest is history.

Supporting the Trucking Industry

At ExpressTruckTax, we work tirelessly to support truck drivers in every way we can.

We understand that truck drivers are critical to our nation, which is why we try to make life simpler for you.

ExpressTruckTax takes the paperwork off your plate so that you can focus on serving our nation’s economy as best you can.

On top of that, you’ll always speak with a real, US-based team of people ready to help you when you need it.

We’re looking out for you.

And since we’re looking out… Have you filed IRS Form 2290 yet?

The deadline is September 3rd, 2019. Avoid IRS penalties – Get started now!

As the industry’s leading IRS-authorized e-file solution, we know how to save you time and money. We’ll have you done with filing in minutes.

Our American Truckers: A Look at the Life of a Dedicated Driver

Posted on August 14, 2019 by - American truckers, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, truck driver, truck driver stories, trucker life, Trucker Lifestyle, trucking, trucking industry

It’s no understatement to say that truck drivers keep America running smoothly.

American Trucking Associations reports that nearly 71% of all freight tonnage in the US is moved by trucks.

Without the trucking industry, consumers wouldn’t receive the goods they need each day.

We rely on truckers for almost every aspect of our lives.

At ExpressTruckTax, we understand the hard work that is required to be a member of the trucking industry.

We also understand that this hard work is often underappreciated.

To rectify that, we’ve decided to share truck driver stories with the world.

An Inside Look at the Trucking Industry

Our American Truckers: A Series

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we know that America’s truckers have one of the country’s hardest and most important jobs.

That’s why we work every day to make life simpler for you.

We take the truck tax paperwork off your plate so that you can focus on what you do best: moving America forward.

We’ve also started a YouTube series to introduce the general public to the trucker lifestyle and help them understand the hard work of American truckers.

Behind the Scenes

The first episode of our American Truckers series features Billy Cagle, a Wadesboro, NC truck driver for the entertainment industry.

Cagle gave us a tour of his home and office, where he organizes the trucking paperwork that he gives to his accountant. He opened up about his life and gave us a glimpse into the career he’s known for so long.

Demetri, our Digital Marketing Specialist, says, “He was so welcoming… offered us water first thing upon arrival. We got to meet his 2 dogs, 2 parrots, 2 horses, and of course, 2 trucks.”

Cagle’s truck driver story started when he was young. “My father taught me how,” he remembers.

Before he could drive or operate trucks on the road, his father had him complete other work on trucks and trailers, teaching him basic skills. After he learned the industry, he began driving.

“Being on the road the whole time has been my life for 43 years,” Cagle says.

As a truck driver for the entertainment segment of the trucking industry, he could be on the road anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on what he’s doing.

Most of his work involves hauling equipment for music tours. This often allows him to meet cool people and get involved in awesome events.

Cagle is married to his wife Anne. He spoke a bit about how being married fits into the trucking industry’s demands.

“My wife and I… we’ve been married, in November, it’ll be 36 years,” he says. “She comes from a trucking family too, which is probably the only reason it works… or me being gone is the only reason it works I don’t know,” he laughs. “Direct deposit honey!”

The Diverse Trucking Industry

Our American truckers form a huge community of diverse truck drivers with a wide range of unique truck driver stories.

Want to share yours?

Call us at 704.234.6005 and let us know that you’re interested in filming for our American Truckers series.

While you’re here, have you filed IRS Form 2290 yet?

The 2290 deadline is September 3rd, 2019, so don’t wait! File Form 2290 now with ExpressTruckTax to save time and money.

Take advantage of our instant error check, free mobile app, bulk upload feature, and more!

Plus, you’ll receive your stamped 2290 Schedule 1 just minutes after filing.

50 Years of Dave Nemo: The Best In Trucking Radio

Posted on July 31, 2019 by - dave nemo, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, the dave nemo show, truck driver, Trucker, trucker radio, trucking, trucking industry, trucking radio

Dave Nemo, trucking radio show host, and trucking industry legend is celebrating 50 years in trucking radio.

We decided to recognize this huge feat by sitting down with the man himself to talk about becoming an industry leader and to pass along the invaluable knowledge he has to offer.

Watch the full interview here:

50 Years of Dave Nemo: The Best In Trucking Radio

The Beginnings of Trucking Radio

Like everyone in the trucking industry, Dave Nemo has a story.

His starts at just 2 years old, listening to “The National Barn Radio Show” with his family every Saturday night.

Glued to the soundtrack, the show drew him to music, and radio soon followed. In the ’70s, Dave says, “Radio was a vehicle for music to be heard”.

In college, he was the campus radio station’s music director. Then, trucking worked its way into the equation unexpectedly.

After serving in the Vietnam War, he returned to the radio station where he worked after college, and discovered a need.

Truck drivers were multiplying, and yet, nothing was catered to them. The trucking industry was so unknown that insight for truckers on the road was non-existent. Instead, trucking radio was simply an attempt to keep truckers awake and alive.

Dave Nemo decided to expand on that.

Understanding the Trucking Industry

Beginning in a virtually untapped industry was a learning experience for Dave Nemo.

Gradually, he began to understand the population he was serving.

He recalls having an unexpected connection with drivers because so many were just getting back from war or on their way out.

Dave says, “It’s been an incredible experience getting to meet a population of the country that not a lot of people know about, and yet truck drivers and their families are everywhere. I think 1 out of 6 people in the country is involved in transportation.”

Those who work in the trucking industry form a community. There are no stereotypical truck drivers, but there is a trucking lifestyle. Those who drive are part of a unique family, moving our country forward with great pride and a sense of commitment.

As Dave says, “Trucking is an uncelebrated section of our population – I always compare teachers and truckers… the vital nature of what they do and the little recognition they get for it.”

Advice To Those in The Trucking Industry

50 years in trucking radio is a long time, and Dave Nemo has invaluable wisdom from it.

His advice for people moving forward in the industry or just starting out is to talk to as many people as possible. There are more options in the trucking industry today than ever before. Take time to find your niche.

For more trucking tips, listen to Dave Nemo’s show every morning, 7-11 AM EST on Sirius XM and Road Dog Trucking Radio.

Remember, in both radio and taxes, you have allies in the trucking industry.

Don’t forget, the IRS 2290 deadline is only a month away! Turn to ExpressTruckTax to file Form 2290 fast.

Use ExpressTruckTax filing to meet the August 31st deadline to avoid IRS penalties. Plus, when you file online, you’ll receive your Schedule 1 in minutes.

As the leading provider in the trucking industry, we understand that you have more important things to do than taxes.

That’s why we’re committed to making life easier for you.

Sign up for free today!