The Challenges of Trucking in the Midwest

Article and Artwork by Truck Haters

If you’ve driven a semi through the Midwest, you already know: it’s not all wide-open roads and friendly diners. Sure, there’s corn for days—but there’s also a unique set of challenges that can make life on the road tough for even the most seasoned trucker.

Let’s break it down.

1. Weather That Doesn’t Care About Your Schedule

One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s whiteout blizzard conditions. Midwest weather is unpredictable, especially in states like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio. Ice storms, lake effect snow, flash floods—name it, you’ll hit it.

What that means for truckers:

• Delays you can’t plan for

• Dangerous road conditions

• Extra stress on your rig (and your nerves)

2. Rural Routes with Rough Roads

Some of the Midwest’s most important freight gets hauled on county roads that haven’t seen maintenance since the early 2000s. Potholes, soft shoulders, and narrow bridges can turn a simple delivery into a headache.

What that means for truckers:

• Suspension and alignment damage

• Slower drive times

• Higher risk for tire blowouts (hey, we’ve got you covered)

3. Low Freight Rates in Some Markets

While the Midwest is a freight hub, certain lanes and regions suffer from lower-than-average rates. When you’re hauling for less, every mile and every breakdown hits harder.

What that means for truckers:

• Need to negotiate smarter

• Can’t afford mechanical downtime

• Gotta run lean and efficient

4. Driver Shortages & Long Wait Times

Midwestern distribution hubs are BUSY—especially around places like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit. But with fewer drivers and higher demand, it’s not unusual to sit for hours waiting to load or unload.

What that means for truckers:

• Wasted hours

• Tight schedules made even tighter

• More pressure to push harder

5. Seasonal Ag Surges

Spring planting and fall harvest in the Midwest = chaos on the roads. Between slow-moving tractors, temporary weight restrictions, and packed grain elevators, the ag season brings a different kind of grind.

What that means for truckers:

• Crowded rural highways

• Increased demand (and sometimes opportunity)

• More wear and tear on your equipment

So… What’s the Move?

Survive and thrive by staying ready:

• Keep your rig maintained

• Run smart tires (you already know where to get those)

• Use route optimization tools

• Watch the weather like your paycheck depends on it—because it does

At Truck Haters, we’re all about keeping truckers moving—through snow, over potholes, and around whatever the Midwest throws at you. Whether you’re running solo or managing a fleet, we’ve got the tires, the service, and the backup you need to keep rolling strong.

Because in the Midwest, it’s not just trucking—it’s survival.And we hate anything that slows you down.