I am not a lot lizard, just want to be a truck driver

Here's the deal: this past August I was on a solo cross-country road trip and was passing a truck. The driver honked to get my attention, I looked over, and he was holding a bunch of money up to the window. I didn't want to keep my eyes off the road any longer and was cruising along faster than he was anyway so that's all I can offer about that particular moment.

I think this was somewhere in Nebraska, which was not half as bad for scenery as people make it sound but still pretty monotonous and sparsely populated. Combine that with me being a nerd who remembers things like license plates and it didn't take me long to become acquainted with at least 20 trucks, even after stopping to sleep.

I figured recognizing your fellow travelers might be commonplace along boring highways like I-80 and that's my question - did this guy peg me for something like a lot lizard? I'm 24, a little overweight but get told I should be a model often (it's true) and drive a RAV4 with a Michigan Wolverines decal. Seriously, did he think I cruise across the country looking for opportunities to sell my body on the road? Do I look like a broke college student (yes) who is so desperate I would do that (no)?

I'm not even that concerned about it, just confused and probably reading into it too much. So whatever, that being said...

I'm two semesters away from an engineering degree but just want to drive a truck. Anyone who tells me I'm an idiot for thinking that: I've heard it before, thanks. I really wish I could enjoy my major but I fail classes regularly and my life revolves around my next road trip. I mostly prefer them to be solo for now. Ergo, I should be a truck driver.

So my next question is: are there a lot of females my age on the road? Any insight into what my experience might be like would be great, because I plan on going to TDS after I graduate (or flunk out). Due to my GPA and the economy I doubt I'll find any type of job that my degree is supposed to get me anyway.

Shameless self-promotion/proof of how much I love driving:
- UP of Michigan to SE Alaska in 5 days
- 19 hours driving in a 24-hour period is my record
- Marquette, MI - Fargo, ND - Bozeman, MT - Portland, OR consecutively
- Tucson, AZ - Austin, TX in a day.
Among others. I know there are restrictions on driving hours, couldn't help bragging a little.

I realize driving for a company will be different from road tripping to see friends and a hell of a lot less fun, but still... I want to get paid for what I love to do. And eventually be an ice road trucker because I love really cold climates and polar nights (for real). Not to mention that won't be possible in about 30 years. To top it all off, this is something I can do in other countries rather easily, from what I understand.

So any friendly feedback is greatly appreciated!