Life changing decisions to make, advice needed

Well put. OP: keep in mind that being on the road isn't a good way to be a parent (assuming you have kids), but that's just my opinion; I know there are plenty of drivers out here who are parents and have fantastic families.

EDIT: OP wants to have his wife travel so I assume that he has no kids. My bad. Also, from what I read, many carriers won't take drivers who have not been through formal training through a school. That said, he may get his CDL with training from his uncle but may still have to go through the carrier's school for insurance reasons. Lastly, companies' policy on passengers vary widely.

 

Best way to make it in trucking, is to not get in it at all.