Area trucking companies feel impact of driver shortage

By Jenna Wilson

A major truck driver shortage has reached a record high this year and could further impact supply chain costs.

“There’s always been a demand for truck drivers,” said Ken Pratt, owner of area company Ken Pratt Trucking. “But the problem with truck drivers right now is they’re older and not a lot of the young people are coming into this industry.”

He said the majority of drivers for Ken Pratt are 50 to 70 years old and will soon be looking toward retirement.

Pratt helps train drivers to get on the road and said there are a lot of misconceptions about the trucking industry. It’s more challenging and physically demanding than people realize.

“I just don’t think people are into the life of being able to live on the road for a week at a time,” he added. “Some of them are even out three weeks at a time.”

Regional trucking companies like Economy Express in St. Joseph are still having a hard time seating drivers despite them having the option to be back home the same day.

“I do have a few younger guys that come in and this might be a stomping ground for them to work for me for a little bit,” said Rodman Brandt, owner of Economy Express Trucking, Inc. “Most of them like that, they are out and back the same day and get to go home to their own bed at night, but the problem is finding ones interested in the long-haul routes.”

The American Trucking Association analyzed a 64,000-driver shortage in 2023 and a new record high of more than 82,000 in 2024. To keep up with demand, trucking needs more than 1 million new drivers over the next decade to replace those leaving the industry, according to the association.

This shortage of truck drivers is disrupting the supply chain, and it could get worse. Consumers may have noticed shortages on store shelves, higher prices and longer wait times for packages for this reason.

“If there’s a product out there and a consumer is using it, it usually always came by truck,” Brandt said. “So, we really need more younger people to start considering this as a career and it’s not a bad one at all. A lot of drivers out there are making at least six figures.”

Local trucking companies hope incentivizing the job through increased pay and flexible hours will be a way to persuade people to pursue the career long term.

“It’s nothing to make between $60,000 and $70,000 a year for anybody, even if you don’t have an education,” Pratt said. “All you need is a CDL and you can be out there and sort of function as your own boss.”

Those interested in trucking career opportunities can reach out to Ken Pratt Trucking, Inc. at https://kenpratttrucking.com/contact/ and Economy Express at http://www.eetruck.net/contact.