Camp Hill, PA – The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) is teaming up with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to offer a series of events for truck drivers in honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which runs from September 15, 2024 to September 21, 2024.

PMTA will be giving away free meals, snacks and other giveaways to truck drivers at a series of PA Turnpike service plazas, Sheetz locations and welcome centers across Pennsylvania.

Clearfield County: Monday, September 16, 2024

Location: Sheetz Falls Creek Location - 1867 Rich Hwy, Falls Creek, PA 15840

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Info: Sheetz donated coupons for free MTO items, trucker-style hats and other freebies to pass out to truck drivers. PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

Harrisburg Area: Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Location: Cumberland Valley Turnpike Service Plaza (Milemarker 219.10 East)

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Info: The PA Turnpike donated vouchers for free food inside the service plaza. PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

Allentown Area: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Location: Allentown Turnpike Service Plaza (Milemarker 55.90 North and South)

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Info: The PA Turnpike donated vouchers for a free coffee and donut from Dunkin’ inside the service plaza. PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

Lancaster Area: Thursday, September 19, 2024

Location: Sheetz Marietta Location - 1158 River Rd, Marietta, PA 17547

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00pm

Info: Sheetz donated coupons for free MTO items, trucker-style hats and other freebies to pass out to truck drivers. PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

Pittsburgh Area: Thursday, September 19, 2024

Location: Oakmont Plum Turnpike Service Plaza (Milemarker 49.30 East)

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Info: The PA Turnpike donated vouchers for free food inside the service plaza. PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

York Area: Friday, September 20, 2024

Location: I-83 Welcome Center – I-83 Northbound (2.5 miles north of PA/MD border) Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Info: PMTA will be handing out program information, safety tips and other giveaways.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs September 15-21, 2024 to honor the professional truck drivers delivering America's freight safely and securely. Nationally, 3.5 million men and women serve as professional truck drivers, keeping America’s supply chain running. During this week we invite all Americans to show professional truck drivers appreciation and support for the hard work they do.

“88% of Pennsylvania communities would be totally without goods if it weren’t for truck drivers.” said Rebecca Oyler, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. “These men and women play a critical role not only in our economy and supply chain, but in the lives of every Pennsylvanian by ensuring grocery store shelves are stocked and packages are delivered on time. We are grateful for the support of Sheetz and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in thanking and supporting truck drivers, as well as their commitment to looking for long-term solutions to better accommodate truck drivers on the road every day.”

All visitors can stop by the event to learn more about the commercial trucking industry and the importance of safely sharing the road with large trucks.

The PA Turnpike is working on increasing tractor-trailer parking spaces at Sideling Hill, Lawn and Highspire service plazas. The Commission also offers up-to-the-minute lot availability – full, low or open – advertised daily between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. on digital message boards near nine service plazas.

“Professional drivers are the front line of this nation’s economy. Without them, as we saw so clearly during the COVID-19 pandemic, daily life comes to a halt. This week, we’re proudly honoring their commitment to delivering for America,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “The PA Turnpike is a safe, reliable and efficient link, connecting our Commonwealth’s economy to the rest of the country and beyond.  We are proud of the thousands of truckers who choose our roadway daily for their travel and look forward to partnering with organizations like the PMTA to enhance their traveling experience.”

Statistics about trucking in Pennsylvania:

• There are 69,970 trucking companies in Pennsylvania. These are primarily small, locally owned businesses.

• 96.2 percent of manufactured tonnage is transported by truck in Pennsylvania. This is about 414,630 tons per day.

• 87.9 percent of communities in Pennsylvania rely solely on trucks to move their goods.

• There are 340,730 trucking industry jobs in Pennsylvania. This accounts for one in every 15 jobs.

Media Contacts:

Megan Magensky, Director of Communications, PMTA, mmagensky@pmta.org, 717-970-3223

Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary, PA Turnpike: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com 

Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary, PA Turnpike: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com