Truckers in Idaho

It’s almost impossible not to think of potatoes when you think of Idaho. That’s okay. Idaho has long been synonymous with potatoes, and truckers in the state can expect to haul plenty of them. But the state has gradually decreased its heavy dependence on agriculture and mining and has also begun leaning toward industrial development for its economic security.

With over 10 billion potatoes harvested annually, and science and technology leading its economic industry, Idaho offers truck drivers ample freight to haul within and beyond the state’s borders.

Advocacy, Safety, and Compliance

The Idaho Trucking Association (ITA) is a 250-member organization that works on behalf of the industry to influence local, state, and federal governmental actions positively. The association promotes highway and driver safety, provides educational programs for members, and engages in public relations efforts.

Members enjoy events like:

• Truckers Against Trafficking Coalition Build with Law Enforcement
• IT Annual Conventions
• Safety Meetings, and
• Truck Driving Championships

Economy

Idaho is responsible for about one-third of all US-grown potatoes and has some of the richest agricultural land in the US.13 Other natural resources, a seaport, machinery, chemical products, paper products, electronics manufacturing, and tourism also account for the state's $64.9 billion gross state product.

With so many resources, Idaho cities are likely among the seventy-five percent of American communities that are 100 percent dependent on trucks to deliver goods to their towns.

Access

Canada, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana all border Idaho and provide access points for drivers.

Idaho has roughly 107,568 total lane miles and several mainland highways or interstates.

A few mainline highways in the state include:

• I-15
• I-84
• I-90, and
• I-184

Idaho truckers can rely on the Truckers Handbook: Motor Carrier Services, published by the Idaho Transportation Department for the details about what and what not to do in the state.15 But one detail may have been left out. Idaho law forbids a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds.3 So, when truckers make their required stops at weigh stations, they should be sure not to get caught with too much candy that a friendly passerby may have gifted to them.

Work and Wages

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

There are about 1,343 local truck driver jobs in Idaho, and the state’s annual average salary for drivers is roughly $49,524.