What are some must see destinations while driving?

new driver here,
Im going to be running the eastern 37 in about 3 weeks and was wondering if anyone had any cool places to see along the way? It might be a reach, but if i ever get to texas id probably check out truckers paradise.
thanks in advance.

 

@Nahbrown probably has some good suggestions. He and his bride know how to enjoy life.

 

I'd advise you to buckle down and focus on the task of operating the truck safely and managing your HOS schedule, parking, and on time delivery. It can be quite the challenge for first time out OTR.
That said, once you adjust to the new life and responsibilities, you can plan a bit of trucker-friendly tourism.

 

You can request hometime days most places your company runs if you really want to see stuff. You'll have a lot more time that way and you could make other arrangements like a hotel room or renting a car. Trying to squeeze in some sightseeing while under a load is not really a good idea, at least not while you're still learning how everything works. I don't mean to be a downer, but I would put all the sightseeing on the backburner and really focus on the job for now. To answer your question, you will probably be in texas a lot. To the point you'll start mentally checking off all the place names every time you hear the Johnny Cash song. If you want to see stuff though...you're kind of missing out not running the west. Everything out there is beautiful, especially if you've never been. Even the stuff that isn't noteworthy enough to be a famous landmark, just the ordinary scenery, is pretty wicked. US 97 through Oregon and US 6 through utah are two of my personal favorites.

 

Looks like you're from Philly. If you haven't seen much of the country just let the job take you on tour. On the one hand, an industrial park in paradise looks just like an industrial park in Atlanta. Truckers get pleasant surprises sometimes but most of the time it's mostly just the interstate.

I'm a tree huggin' hiker/camper so I can tell you that what I personally like is just how different it is everywhere during the different seasons. It's really cool to drive along the water near any coast. Cool to go over some of the amazing bridges and through some of the cool cities in America, even on the freeway, but it's also cool to drive the twisty roads of West Virginia or the pretty farm country all over the midwest.

Just keep in mind that the honeymoon wears off pretty quickly and you don't have some say in going to different places it can get pretty boring pretty quick.

My wife found this app that tells you what every historic marker on every road is about. My mind is blown every time she breaks out that app on a trip. She doesn't travel in the truck with me, just personal trips, but it would be a really cool way to pass the time if your SO is along for the ride.

 

Park at the Flying J in Carlisle PA, walk north on US 11 and you will see the sign on the overpass that says "Appalachian Trail".
Enjoy

Hint: it's right down the road from the Schneider terminal also.

 

I second west virginia too. You can get a fantastic view of some of the riverbank towns running 64 during the winter once all the leaves are gone

 

Northern Wisconsin, the top 1/3 of the state. Beautiful scenery, friendly people, what's not to like?

 

Definitely stop at the pine cone!

 

This one will blow your mind:

https://iowa80truckstop.com/?utm_medium=yext&utm_source=extnet