Truck Driving and the Lifelong Journey of Finn Murphy

TERRY GROSS, HOST: Welcome to FRESH AIR. I’m Terry Gross. As someone who drives a compact car, I was intrigued by the life of Finn Murphy, who navigates a 70,000-pound truck with a 53-foot trailer. In his memoir, The Long Haul, Murphy shares his experiences from logging over a million miles. His cargo? The cherished possessions—furniture, clothing, heirlooms—of families relocating for new jobs across the country.

In his memoir, Murphy gives readers a deep dive into life on the road, revealing the subculture of truckers and the emotional attachments families have to their belongings. He also discusses tough decisions about what to keep and what to toss. Murphy has been on the trucking scene since the late 1970s, having dropped out of college to pursue this career.

GROSS: Let’s kick off with a passage from your book.

FINN MURPHY: (Reading) To the casual observer, all trucks appear similar. People often assume all truckers perform the same job, but that isn’t accurate. There’s a hierarchy among us based on what we haul and how we’re compensated. Common types include freight haulers, while movers like us are often called bedbuggers. Other specialties exist, too, each with their own labels.

Bedbuggers are generally looked down upon by other truckers. We often find ourselves excluded from conversations at truck stops. I avoid such interactions; I don’t adhere to the stereotypical image of truckers. My uniform consists of a standard company polo shirt, lightweight pants, and sneakers—definitely not cowboy boots or flashy belt buckles.

GROSS: Why are furniture movers viewed lower in the hierarchy of truckers?

MURPHY: We’re at the bottom for a few reasons: we’re involved in loading and unloading, we deal with customers, and we do make a decent salary. The paradox is, while we earn good pay, it sets us apart from the classic trucker brotherhood, especially since our driving miles don’t match those of freight haulers.

Despite the challenges of being judged by both sides—truckers and clients—Murphy has an affinity for the freedom and camaraderie found among driving peers. His memoir, The Long Haul: A Trucker’s Tales of Life on the Road, is both a reflection on his experiences and an exploration of the emotional weight carried by those in transition. As a long-haul trucker, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the complexities of his unique profession.