Life on the road can be exciting, but it can also be tough. Distance from loved ones, sitting for long stretches of time, and simple boredom can all wear on new truck drivers. Luckily, there are several hacks to make your time on the road more bearable. 

1. Mobile Hot Spot: Many on-the-road truckers find themselves in remote areas without access to Wi-Fi. Talk to your service provider about making your phone a mobile hot spot. This would allow you to stream movies or surf the internet on a laptop or tablet during your downtime instead of hoping to connect to someone's free Wi-Fi or squinting to see on your cell phone.  

2. Mobile App for Mileage: While anyone with a CDL license needs to keep track of their miles for the DOT (Department of Transportation), no one has to use paper forms anymore. There are plenty of DOT-approved apps that you can use with your smart phone that can save you time. 

3. Streaming Service: Americans began cutting cable's cord during the Great Recession and haven't looked back. Streaming services now let viewers choose exactly what they want with a much smaller price tag. Pick a streaming service without an annual contract so that when you have finished binge watching all your favorite shows, you can switch to another service the next month. 

4. IFTA Fuel Calculation Software: Another tedious task that used to be manual is IFTA Fuel Tax Calculation. Software can automate the process for you now, making the process much easier. There is no longer a need to worry about which state of province you need to record your fuel usage for and no more stressing about being audited for errors. 

5. Chewing Gum: You may not have been allowed to chew gum in school, but Psychology Today actually recommends it. Chewing gum can make you more alert during long runs and certain brands can even help remove plaque. The average on-the-road driver does not have time to brush and floss three times a day, so adding gum to the mix can help fight cavities. 

6. Audiobooks: Let's face it. Anyone who has listened to the radio for long periods of time knows that most stations begin to repeat the same few songs. It can get incredibly boring. A great boredom buster is audiobooks. From mysteries to self-help, listening to an audiobook is a great way to pass the time, banish boredom, and -- maybe -- learn a thing or two. Another idea is to follow several podcasts on topics you like so you can listen to them on the road. Think of it as the ultimate in multitasking or -- better yet -- think of it as being paid to read. 

7. Water: It may be common knowledge to drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day, but most experts now agree that the number should be higher. For your body to perform at its best, take your body weight, divide in half, and then drink that amount in ounces. So, a truck driver weighing 200 pounds should consume at closer to 100 ounces of water a day, not the standard 64 ounces that we all think. 

8. Unlimited Minutes: Being able to use FaceTime or other video chat options when talking to your friends and loved ones is fabulous for anyone who travels. When you spend much of your life on the road, however, you need to make sure your cellular plan has unlimited minutes so you are not surprised with a massive bill upon your return home. 

Like any job, learning little tricks to pass the time can make long days fly by.