Finding Freedom on the Open Road: The Journey of Troy Miller
DENVER — Troy Miller describes his life as one spent “waiting for a moment to be free.” While his initial career aspiration was to dive into English literature, having studied at Colorado State University, the open road has given him the freedom to explore his creativity and build self-confidence during his twelve years in heavy hauling.
“I never attended a trucking school,” Miller, 30, stated. Instead, he acquired his trucking skills “the old way,” learning from seasoned drivers. In college, he met two drivers he regards as legends in the industry—Gary Disher and the late Bobby Ewing—who guided him as he began his trucking career. Today, Miller boasts over one million miles in lowboy heavy hauling as an owner-operator with Black Diamond Auto Transport.
Though he learned trucking traditionally, Miller’s lifestyle defies conventions. With tattoos covering him from neck to toe—almost 40 in total—he leads a vibrant life. As a vegan, he enjoys a colorful diet and takes pride in being part of the LGBTQ community. His most recent tattoo depicts hands releasing a blackbird, a representation of freedom inspired by a Beatles song, with the line, “You were always waiting for a moment to be free.” After nearly four years of living openly as a gay trucker, Miller feels liberated on the road, allowing him to be his true self, explore the world, cook vegan dishes, and maintain connections with friends and family back in Colorado.
In winter, Miller occasionally takes on reefer trailer jobs, although it’s uncommon. He recently spent four months driving routes in California. While he enjoyed the change of scenery, he places a higher value on being home with his family. “Delays and logistics can complicate getting home,” he mentioned. Family support is vital to Miller, especially after his eldest brother Greg suffered a heart attack in Fort Collins. During Greg’s recovery, Miller stayed close to his family, using his culinary skills to provide emotional sustenance.
Family is paramount to Miller, reflected in his tattoos, which celebrate each family member through meaningful symbols. For example, a half-sleeve tattoo includes a cartoon character that represents his younger brother Cory as Skipper from “Madagascar.” Miller also showcases tattoos for his other brother Greg, his mother, and father, all signifying cherished memories and bonds.
Although trucking and literature may seem worlds apart, Miller finds inspiration in his travels to fuel his creativity. He captures moments through photography for 10-4 Magazine and spends his downtime writing. With a natural flair for writing, he excelled in school and draws influences from postmodern French philosophers like Albert Camus and Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy. “Writing has always been intuitive for me,” Miller shared, emphasizing it has never been a struggle.
Miller’s interest in photography blossomed unexpectedly during high school, where a quest for an easy fine-arts credit led him to a photography class. Becoming enchanted with the darkroom, he eventually transitioned to digital photography while retaining those film skills for future projects. His lifelong fascination with trucks, ignited as a child by observing garbage trucks in his neighborhood, ultimately shaped his career aspirations, enabling him to live his dream of life on the road. Miller keeps William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and his cameras nearby, always ready for inspiration.
