Driving Change: How Women Make Logistics Safer and More Efficient

Women are leading the way in driving innovation in the freight industry. While they may still represent a smaller percentage of the industry, women are making substantial contributions—especially in terms of safety and efficiency. At Truckstop, we’ve seen firsthand how female carriers prioritize different aspects of the business, helping to shape an industry that’s evolving to meet the needs of both men and women.

Safety First: A Core Priority

Safety is a top concern for everyone in the freight industry, but women are particularly vocal about its importance. Our data shows that a higher percentage of female carriers place significant emphasis on finding safe parking and avoiding dangerous weather conditions.

The ongoing shortage of safe and available parking has been a major pain point for drivers nationwide, and women carriers are leading the charge in advocating for better infrastructure. By prioritizing safety, women are pushing for improvements that will benefit all drivers, making the roads safer and more reliable.

Driving Innovation

Female carriers are also more likely to use web-based tools for managing their businesses. They tend to subscribe to services online, favoring e-commerce platforms over traditional sales methods like calling a representative for assistance. This preference for digital tools means women are often more comfortable leveraging technology to boost their efficiency, from finding loads to managing paperwork.

Driving More Miles—Spending Less Time at Home

Female carriers are also making strides in terms of miles driven. Our data shows that women are more likely to be part of tandem driving teams, which drive significantly more miles than solo drivers—an average of 125,000 miles per year compared to the industry average of 91,000 miles. While this allows them to cover more ground, it comes at a cost. Women in these tandem teams spend fewer days at home, averaging just 5.5 days per month.

A Focus on Learning and Job Improvement

When it comes to learning about new tools and features, female carriers prefer educational formats like webinars, videos, and email updates. This preference for ongoing education reflects their commitment to improvement and growth within the industry, ensuring they stay at the cutting edge of freight technology.

Looking Ahead: Women Driving Change in Logistics

The contributions of women in the freight industry go beyond individual success—they’re driving industry-wide improvements. From pushing for safer conditions to adopting technology that improves efficiency, women are at the forefront of change. Truckstop is proud to support these efforts, providing tools and resources that empower carriers to succeed and lead the way to a safer, more efficient industry.

In honor of Women’s History Month, bookmark Truckstop’s recent Freight Nation interviews with these women who are shaking up freight.

Shelli Austin: Driving Freight Industry Innovation

Kristy Knichel: Leading with Resilience and Vision

Liz Wayne: Pioneering Freight Brokerage with Purpose

Kathy Fulton: Aiding in Crisis with Compassion

Lindsey Trent: Shaping the Next Generation of Trucking

Seretha Willingham: Building a Logistics Legacy

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