Santa's one-night ride around the world isn't the only holiday shipping route that takes a lot of careful planning: All the holiday gifts and goodies that keep our traditions alive are brought to a store near you by America's truck drivers.
"Without the truckers, there is no holiday season like we are accustomed to," said Butch Rice, owner of Beebe, Ark.-based Stallion Transportation Group. "We move America. We stock the shelves. Transportation is an integral part of American commerce and the holidays."
According to the American Trucking Association's website, over 70 percent of freight tonnage in the U.S. is carried by truck. Every year, 10.5 billion tons of freight is moved by more than 3.4 million trucks and drivers.
The pace picks up over the holidays, and truckers are up to the challenge.
"Our load counts can double in this time frame. Everything you see on the shelf or in an Amazon box was at one time on the back of a truck. All those things that arrive and end up under your tree, you can thank a trucker for helping make your holiday season a good one," said Billy Cartwright, chief operations officer of Southern Refrigerated Transport.
It takes a lot of planning in advance to ensure the season's freight runs go down without a hitch. Those in charge of arrangements start planning in the summer, so companies know in advance how many drivers and vehicles they will need.
"After that, it is hot and heavy until after Christmas," Cartwright said.
With long hours on the road carrying goods to all corners of the country to make holiday fun possible, support staff members strive to give truckers time to enjoy the holidays with their families.
"It is a guarantee our drivers will be home for the holidays," Rice said. "We plan the jobs and the loads we take according to the calendar. As Christmas gets closer, we slow the pace down for them to allow them to get home."
It isn't just the front office doing its work that ensures drivers get to enjoy a holiday.
"Overall, we are such a tight company, family-oriented. Everyone knows everyone else. We ensure they get home. Some drivers will take loads to ensure other drivers can make it home," he said.
But even the best planning can't ensure everyone makes it home every time, and Cartwright commends those who are out on the road.
"Some of them will miss the holidays," he said. "It is a testament to them that they are still willing to do it, but those of us in management do our best to make sure they are home for the holidays as soon as possible."
A food-centered holiday like Christmas keeps SRT's service in demand, as refrigerated transport ensures every turkey and ham is kept cold.
The trucks are just the most visible element of the team effort that requires many skilled specialists and tools.
"We have good software and optimization that helps us maximize loads," Cartwright said. "Safety is job one for us, and both we and our drivers make sure they or the trucks don't drive in an unsafe manner. Plans are in place to ensure loads can continue if issues arise. Also, active communication with customers to make sure they remain in the know during the entire process allows everyone to plan accordingly for any surprises that occur."
Rice said holiday driving is as much a challenge for the truckers as it is for anyone on the road this time of year.
"Everyone is in a rush, but our drivers are pros. As long as we put safety first, everyone will be successful," he said. "Professional awareness and safety gets us a successful season."
Even some drivers get in the Christmas spirit, wearing Santa hats or sporting Christmas lights on their trucks.
"Truckers are Santa's biggest helpers," Cartwright said.