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I’ve been driving for years, and I know rough sleep comes with the job. But lately it feels different. It’s not just one bad night. It’s weeks of sleeping 3-4 hours, waking up irritated, feeling foggy all day, then trying to act like I’m fine because the load still has to move.

The noise is a huge part of it. Engines idling, highway traffic, other drivers coming and going, random sounds outside the cab — even when I’m exhausted, my body doesn’t fully relax. I’ve tried earplugs, blackout curtains, sleep masks, changing where I park, and cutting back caffeine.

Some of it helps, but nothing feels consistent.I’ve started thinking about sleep earbuds or noise-masking sleep earbuds, mostly because regular earplugs don’t always cut it and headphones are too bulky in the sleeper. But I’m also realizing this isn’t just a gear problem. Bad sleep starts turning into stress, loneliness, short temper, and that weird heavy feeling where you don’t feel like yourself.

For other long-haul drivers who’ve dealt with chronic sleep issues, what helped you mentally and physically?

Earbuds, routines, therapy, exercise, better parking habits, anything. I’m trying to stay sharp, but I’m tired of pretending bad sleep is just part of being tough.