Truck Drivers Try on Connecticut for Size

The Constitution State may rank 48th out of 50 U.S. states in terms of total area, but it’s the 29th most populous state in the nation, clocking in at around 3.5 million people.

Situated in the New England region of the U.S., truck drivers can access a few ports and all of New England, New York, and beyond.

Connecticut’s ports, easy access to The Big Apple, and total lane mileage make truck driving jobs in the state prevalent.

But drivers shouldn’t boss up and try to show the state who’s bigger. In Hartford, you may not, under any circumstances, cross the street walking on your hands! In Devon, Connecticut, it’s illegal to walk backward after sunset.[3][13] – Moral of the story, stick to trucking for your transportation needs.

Advocacy, Safety, and Compliance

The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut (MTAC) focuses regulation concerns, taxation, and legislation on behalf of its membership. The association purports to be “Connecticut’s industry watchdog,” with efforts to “Help you make the transportation side of [your] business as safe, compliant, and cost-effective as possible.”

Some programs and services offered by MTAC are:

• Drug & Alcohol Testing
• Safety & Compliance Training
• Health Insurance Services, and
• Class Training, and
• Special membership benefits

Freight

Trucks move more freight domestically than any other form of transportation. In 2019 US truckers hauled 11.84 billion tons of freight, drove an estimated 140 billion miles, and generated roughly $791 Billion in revenue!

A few products primarily transported by Connecticut truckers include:

• Automobiles
• Coal
• Large spark-ignition engines
• Chemical wood pulp
• Polycarbonates
• Turbo-jet parts
• Miscellaneous medications
• Refrigerating/freezing equipment

Access

The 5,543 sq. miles state has eight counties and several key cities. Connecticut is bordered by Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and the Atlantic Ocean to its south. Three primary interstates make up 346 of Connecticut’s total road mileage. Major interstates include:

• I-84
• I-91, and
• I-95

Work and Wages

Truck drivers typically drive well over 100,000 miles per year and up to 2,000-3,000 miles per week.

In May 2020, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,130 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.

There are about 1,705 local truck driver jobs in Connecticut, and the state’s annual average salary for drivers is roughly $65,469.

Connecticut also has had one of the country’s lowest unemployment rates.