We asked the Truck Drivers USA community a tough but fun question:
Would you rather have free fuel or free food for life?
The comments rolled in fast, and drivers definitely had opinions. Some leaned toward saving thousands on fuel, while others saw the long-term value in cutting down food costs—especially after retirement or if the company already covers fuel.
Here’s what drivers had to say.
The Case for Free Fuel
For many truckers, fuel isn’t just an expense—it’s the cost of doing business. That’s why so many drivers jumped at the chance for free fuel.
Billy Klepi summed it up simply:
“Bro I get 13 to the gallon. I’m taking that free gas. My truck thinks it’s free, so I’ll take it free.”
Jason Lawrence broke it down with some serious math:
“A gallon of diesel weighs about 7 pounds, and I average seven mpg. I’m losing roughly $4 in fuel every 7 minutes. So, I would rather have the free fuel than free food because I’m not consuming $34.40/hour in food.”
Randy Paiz added some perspective:
“Would I pay $20 for each meal or $1000 every time I fuel? No brainer there.”
Others saw fuel as a tool for making money or gaining flexibility:
- Phil Maddalena: “Fuel—my truck can make me money to buy food.”
- Cory Clark: “Fuel, definitely. I can go without food for a better part of the day, and free fuel will most definitely free up funds for food.”
- Gustavo FigueroaZapata: “Fuel, ’cause I’ma make money off of that.”
And a few offered creative workarounds for skipping the grocery store:
- Bubba Bubbah: “Fuel. We could hunt.”
- Robert Schaffer: “Fuel. I can shoot something to eat.”
- Lisa Oscar: “Fuel. You can grow food.”
The Case for Free Food
Not everyone is paying for fuel—especially company drivers or those planning for retirement.
Joshua Warner made it clear:
“I’m a company driver, so I’ll take free food. That’d cut my expenses down nicely.”
Rafael Pardo agreed:
“Food, because I’m a company driver and about to retire. I’m going to spend more money on food than gas.”
Mike Andrus added:
“Food, because I need food after I retire. The company pays for the fuel, so yeah, that’s not important.”
Some just liked the comfort of always having a meal covered:
- Bill Mancini: “Free food! I’m not planning on dying in this truck!”
- Billy Wilson: “Food, because I hate leaving the house.”
- Andrew Young: “My food bill is MUCH higher than my fuel bill.”
Others saw food as more essential to survival:
- Alicia Bonneville Hays: “You can’t consume fuel. You can survive without driving anywhere if necessary.”
- Paul Richards: “Food.”
- Terry Davies: “Food.”
- Jennie Brinker: “Food.”
Company Drivers vs. Owner-Operators
It’s clear that whether you’re a company driver or an owner-operator plays a significant role in how you answered.
Company drivers leaned heavily toward food since their fuel was already covered, but owner-operators saw free fuel as a serious financial win.
This question also brought out some creative and humorous responses. Jackie Lee joked:
“I would rather have the free fuel. If I got free food, I would eat it all and gain 1000 pounds! HAHA!!”
Can’t Choose? Some Want Both
A few people couldn’t decide.
- Harley Courtney said: “Both.”
- Julia Wojdacz agreed: “Both!”
- Rennie Thiessen: “BOTH … LOL”
- Timothy Eakles: “May I have both please and thank you?”
So… What Would You Choose?
Whether you’re team free fuel or food forever, one thing’s clear — truck drivers know how to think things through. These everyday choices aren’t just about dollars; they reflect what matters most to drivers balancing long hours, tight budgets, and life on the move.
Want to weigh in on questions like this and connect with thousands of other drivers who get it? Join the Truck Drivers USA Facebook community conversation — your place to swap stories, get support, and stay in the know.
