We spend the majority of our time on the road and away from home. When the clock stops for the day and we get our downtime, sometimes we need some entertainment. With traditional activities coupled with modern technology, we have access to more entertainment now than ever before.
Truck Stop Lounges
Many truck stops have areas dedicated to drivers and include movie theatres, reading lounges, and games rooms. Some larger ones have full entertainment venues like dance clubs or tourist attractions like museums.
Park and Go
If you find yourself parked for a while or even stopped for your reset, grab an Uber and go into town. Every city has something to discover from sporting events to concerts, museums to community events. If you have the time be sure to visit local attractions and enjoy the time, just like you would if you were home.
Movies and TV Shows
One of the most popular ways to stay entertained on the road is to watch movies and TV shows. Streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu offer access to thousands of titles at any given time, so you’ll never run out of things to watch. Depending on your device, downloads may be available so you don’t need to worry about a WiFi connection.
Music
Music is a great way to pass the time on long drives, but it’s not always easy to find a good radio station, and since you’re constantly on the move, the stations tend to fade out every hour or so.
One option is streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music which allow you to listen to music from your phone or tablet. These services have many benefits: they’re affordable, they can be used anywhere with an internet connection, and they offer access to millions of songs in one convenient place. Downloading music is an option to avoid using up data while on the road.
Books
You can read e-books on your phone, tablet, or laptop. If you’re not sure which device to purchase, consider these factors:
Screen size – The bigger the screen, the easier it is to read.
Weight – A lighter device will be easier to carry around and hold while reading.
Battery life – Get something with a long battery life so that it doesn’t run out of power before you finish reading whatever book has been keeping your attention!
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to pass the time whether you’re driving or parked for the night. They are easy to find and download, so it’s not necessary to have an internet connection while you’re on the road.
There are many options when it comes to podcasts: comedy shows like Comedy Bang! Bang! or The Smartest Man in the World; news programs like NPR’s Fresh Air or This American Life; music-related programs like Song Exploder (which features artists talking about how they made their songs); educational programs such as The History of Rome or How Did We Get Here?; and even just random conversations between comedians like Marc Maron’s WTF podcast where he interviews celebrities about their lives and careers.
No matter what your interests are, there’s a podcast out there for you.
Games
Your phone has the potential to be full of games and activities that help you pass the time while you’re on a break. While some drivers prefer to play games on their phones, others prefer a traditional approach like board games or card games. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of ways for you to keep yourself entertained on your downtime. And if you connect with other drivers, it helps build relationships with other people who share similar interests as yours.
Enjoy the Downtime
No matter where your driving takes you, be sure to take in the offerings and make the most of your time. After all, you’ve worked hard. Have some fun.
