My dad was a trucker before I was born, then he went into business for himself as a septic tank installer and landscaper. He owned 2 bulldozers, a backhoe, trackhoe, several semi trucks and trailers, a fleet of dump trucks, etc. Then one day, he decided he had had enough and went back into trucking. He got another semi truck and went back on the road. he made a lot more money per week driving a truck. Most of the time, he was bringing in over 2k a week as an owner/operator. He didn't even have to haul nationwide. He just hauled regionally. Georgia, Florida, the Carolina's and Alabama.
He had the CB radio in his truck, and those guys always looked out for each other. Giving cop warnings to each other. Road check warnings, etc. Sometimes they would all meet up and eat. You get to meet new people and become friends, especially when you and some of the other drivers are hauling the same route everyday.
Also, truckstop showers and bathrooms are like the locker room for those guys. And the tales they have are funny and spooky in lots of instances. And don't forget about the infamous ''lot lizards.'' Lord, I have heard some tales about them.