The term side hustle has recently entered the modern language and as a trucker, you might be hearing it more and more often. Not sure what it means? A side hustle is basically a second (or third) job outside of someone’s main job that provides them with supplement income. With the rise of companies like Uber and GrubHub, more and more people are finding new ways to generate supplemental income. Whether you’re a college kid looking for some extra cash to buy textbooks, or a bartender looking for a daytime side-gig, side hustles are for everyone, including truckers. So, if you’re looking for a little bit of extra cash, let’s look at some ways to generate side income for truck drivers.
Finding Your Hustle | Side Income For Truck Drivers
Ride-Sharing
This is mostly an option for truckers who are home every night. Why not make money doing something you’ve got a ton of expertise in – driving. With the rapid growth of ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, becoming a rideshare driver is a great hustle for truck drivers. Essentially, you turn your personal vehicle into a taxi for a few hours. You’ll pick up passengers and take them to their destination for a fee. You can choose to drive long distances for more money, or opt to stick to closer, more local routes. It’s a lot like trucking. You’ll be asked to pick up some cargo and drop it off, making this a great form of side income for truck drivers.
YouTube
Did you know just how big the trucking YouTube community is? There are hundreds of Youtubers who are currently making money from YouTube just by filming their everyday life on the road. YouTubing is a great way for truck drivers to make money while out on the road. When you garner enough views, you can start earning money through ads and views on your video. Some of the most popular YouTube truckers are pulling in thousands of dollars per year just by uploading videos. This makes this one of the best options for side income for truck drivers.
Podcasting
Similar to YouTubing, creating a podcast is another option for side income for truck drivers. We’re seeing a growing number of trucking podcasts make their way onto the web. Whether it’s truckers talking about everyday life, or discussing hot-button industry topics, trucking podcasts have been something that is giving drivers another supplemental income option. If you have a phone, you can be a podcaster. All it takes is a mic, your voice, and an editing app to ensure that you’re producing some stellar content. Looking to throw your hat into the podcast game? It might just be the perfect side hustle for you. Check out our episode of Big Rig Banter where we actually interview a trucker-podcaster side hustler!
AirBnB
Are you an OTR driver? Do you have a home that’s sitting empty and unused for part of the year? Why not make money off of it? AirBnB will allow you to rent out your unoccupied home for those traveling. Why let your home remain empty while you continue to pay bills on it? Using a service like AirBnB will let you make money off your home while you’re on the road. All you have to do is communicate with your guests and ensure that the place is taken care of. This is a great side hustle for those truckers who are out on the road for long periods of time. When it comes to side income for truck drivers, let your own home make you some extra cash.
Etsy
One final option when it comes to side income for truck drivers is to use some of your creativity. Many truckers have creative hobbies while they’re out on the road. Whether it’s drawing sketches, knitting blankets, or one of the many other creative activities, why not make some additional income off of your creativity? Etsy is a platform for creative entrepreneurs who want to sell their creations. All you need to do is post your product and ship it when ordered. It’s a great way to turn your creativity into some cash!
What side hustle have you tried while you’re out on the road? Let us know in the comments below!
