Truck driving has evolved significantly over the past decade, particularly within large private fleets. Some carriers have begun rethinking how the job is structured, how drivers are trained, and what long-term sustainability looks like for people behind the wheel.
Walmart’s private fleet offers a clear example of how compensation, equipment investment, and scheduling choices can reshape who enters trucking and how the job fits into different stages of life.
A Demanding Route with a Different Approach
One of Walmart’s most challenging routes runs between Washington state and Alaska. The round trip spans roughly 5,000 miles and takes about five days to complete, with two drivers rotating shifts around the clock. The route cuts through remote terrain and extreme weather, requiring experience, coordination, and careful planning.
On a recent run, the truck was driven by Leslie Scott, 58, and Michelle Salikie, 69. In an industry where women account for fewer than one in 10 commercial drivers nationwide, the pair often draw attention.
“People,” Scott says, “are shocked when they see women up here. Especially at our age.”
The two drivers jokingly refer to themselves as Thelma and Louise.
Pay, Schedules, and Job Design
Walmart has grown its trucking workforce by about 33 percent over the last three years. A major part of that growth has come from how the company structures the job.
Scott and Salikie earn about $135,000 per year. Walmart’s starting annual pay for truck drivers can reach as high as $115,000. Drivers also operate with more predictable schedules than many long-haul roles.
Technology plays a role as well. Walmart trucks are equipped with WiFi, allowing drivers to stay connected even on remote routes. On especially demanding runs, including the Alaska route, drivers are paired instead of operating solo.
These changes have helped Walmart attract a higher share of women than many carriers. Data from Revelio Labs estimates that about 18 percent of Walmart’s drivers are women, nearly double the rate seen at competitors.
“Within the four walls of this company, it’s viewed as one of the best jobs,” says Ryan McDaniel, senior vice president of transportation at Walmart. “A lot of applicants are coming this way.”
Creating a Path Into Driving Roles
Rather than relying only on external recruiting, Walmart has invested in developing drivers internally. More than a decade ago, the company began expanding training and retention programs in anticipation of regulatory changes affecting driver hours.
Walmart operates a 12-week training program open to store and warehouse employees. The company covers the cost of earning a commercial driver’s license, creating a path from hourly roles to six-figure pay. Hourly workers entering the program earn average wages of more than $18.25 before transitioning into driving positions.
About 1,000 employees have completed the program so far, and it now accounts for roughly half of Walmart’s new truck drivers, according to McDaniel.
“This is the first time I’ve had a job where I know if I quit today, that I would be snatched,” Scott says. “I have job security like no other that I’ve ever had.”
The Reality of Long-Haul Driving
Even with higher pay and upgraded equipment, long-haul trucking remains physically and mentally demanding. The Alaska route highlights many of the conditions drivers face.
Winters in Alaska can last seven months, with temperatures dropping as low as 50 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Fog, heavy snow, strong winds, and long periods of darkness are common. Scott and Salikie have encountered wildlife, including bears, while driving in winter conditions.
Icy roads make handling a fully loaded truck more difficult, particularly when carrying mixed freight such as meat, produce, and other perishable goods. Slowing down too much can affect delivery schedules, adding pressure even in hazardous conditions.
Drivers also spend long stretches alone on the road, often sleeping roadside and navigating extreme weather. Scott and Salikie once stopped to help a driver stranded alone and in distress.
For women, safety considerations extend beyond weather and terrain. Harassment remains a concern in trucking. On the Alaska route, Walmart’s policy of pairing drivers is something Scott and Salikie say is essential to staying safe.
Equipment Built for Harsh Conditions
Walmart has invested heavily in trucks designed specifically for extreme routes. Scott and Salikie’s rig is taller and longer than standard trucks, with larger fuel tanks and brighter headlights. Windshield wipers, which often freeze during winter runs, are replaced frequently.
The truck is equipped with Starlink internet, keeping drivers connected in remote areas. Inside the cab are a microwave, refrigerator, and sleeping area, though space remains limited.
One thing the truck does not include is a bathroom. Limited access to restrooms leads drivers to carefully manage food and drink intake, especially in winter when facilities can be frozen shut.
Life on the Road
Time away from home remains one of the most difficult parts of the job. Spending days on the road makes it hard to build or maintain relationships.
“I kind of feel lost sometimes,” Scott says. “You know, I wish I was part of some club. I don’t know anybody.”
Both Scott and Salikie came to trucking later in life. Salikie joined Walmart in the 2000s after running a business transporting jet engines with her husband. Scott entered trucking at 49 after working as a chef, drawn to the independence of the road and seeking a safer environment.
Despite the sacrifices, the solitude still holds appeal.
“This is the best kept secret,” Scott says. “You know, being out here on the road.”
What Walmart’s Approach Shows
Scott and Salikie will not drive forever, and the physical demands of long-haul work remain real. But their experience highlights how job structure, pay, training, and equipment influence who chooses to drive and how long they stay.
Walmart’s private fleet shows that when those elements are addressed together, trucking becomes a viable option for a broader range of people at different stages of life. For carriers and industry leaders, the takeaway is straightforward.
How the job is built matters.
Source: Bloomberg
