Practical tips to better plan your route and take care of your well-being on the road
With the arrival of summer, high temperatures and holiday periods, working conditions become tougher for transport professionals. Increased traffic and temporary traffic restrictions in many European countries make this time of year a logistical and personal challenge. In fact, the DGT (Central Traffic Headquarters) estimates that, in Spain alone, long-distance road journeys will exceed 100 million during July and August. The figure represents a new all-time high that has already started to be felt on the road.
In this article we give you some recommendations for transport workers during the summer, designed to optimise your journeys and take care of your health at the wheel. The objective has a clear premise: better planning for better driving. And that starts long before the truck is even on the road.
Summer driving restrictions during the summer
During July and August, several European countries activate specific restrictions on the circulation of heavy goods vehicles. Being aware of these regulations is one of the key recommendations to be taken into account by transport operators in summer. Thus, it is good to know that in Spain there is no general prohibition, but there may be occasional restrictions on public holidays, such as Sundays, on specific stretches or for certain types of cargo, such as dangerous goods.
In France, on the other hand, lorries over 7.5 tonnes may not circulate on Saturdays in summer from 07:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 0:00 to 22:00. Added to this are the bans starting at 10:00 p.m. the day before on the eve of a public holiday. In Eastern Europe, as in Poland, limitations are also common. There, trucks are restricted on Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings and most of Sunday.
Each country has its own rules, so it is best to check restrictions in advance through official sources. There are also platforms such as Truckban.eu that allow you to consult this information by filtering between countries.
Good route organisation can make the difference between a smooth journey or an unexpected stop.
Avoid peak hours and local holidays during the summer
Planning also means choosing when the best time to drive is. It is well known that, during the summer, the time slots with the highest volume of traffic coincide with the departure and return from holidays. Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons tend to be particularly dense – and even involve some restrictions on truck traffic on fast roads on Sundays. Deciding the time of departure helps to avoid future delays, which ensures delivery times and driver rest.
Another recommendation for hauliers is to take into account local public holidays. On 14 July in France or 15 August in Spain, Italy or Poland, there are massive exit operations that cause congestion on the main roads. Bringing your journey forward or delaying it by a few hours can help you avoid long traffic jams and optimise your time on the road.
Well-being of the professional driver: stay hydrated and get a good night’s rest during the summer
The high summer temperatures also make it necessary to focus on the physical condition of the driver. Driving for hours in extreme heat can affect concentration, reaction time and, in extreme cases, lead to heat stroke. It is precisely for this reason that transporters are advised to stay well hydrated, take more frequent breaks and pay more attention to their diet during the summer.
It is also essential to respect rest periods. In addition to complying with tachograph regulations, which must always be done, stopping every so often allows you to clear your head, stretch your legs and maintain a good physical and mental state. Similarly, it is recommended to avoid heavy meals on the road and not to overuse cabin air conditioning, in order to maintain a healthy thermal balance between the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
Summer-ready rest areas
Choosing where to stop should also be considered according to the time of year. In summer, it is best to look for shaded areas, clean toilets, showers, catering and basic services for professional drivers. Our OnTurtle-La Jonquera service station, for example, has all these facilities (from showers to restaurant, service station, laundry or shop), as well as a double-certified guarded truck park -by organisations such as ESPORG and TAPA-. In fact, it has been awarded Best Truck Parking in Europe twice (2023 and 2024).
Having safe and well-equipped spaces allows you to rest in peace and to follow the route in better conditions.
Tools for more efficient driving during the summer
What role can new technologies play? Today more than ever, access to information is key to more accurate planning. In summer, good planning can mean fewer hours behind the wheel, less fuel consumption and less accumulated stress. And that has a direct impact on both safety and productivity.
Mobile applications with real-time data on aspects such as traffic, weather conditions or restrictions allow you to adjust your route in advance and in real time. They also help you to find suitable service areas or to avoid conflicting sections. Our OnTurtle-La Jonquera station, for example, allows online pre-booking of its secure lorry parking through platforms such as TRAVIS, Otra Solutions or SNAP.
Summer is a demanding period for hauliers, but also an opportunity to show that anticipation and professionalism make the difference. At OnTurtle we are committed to making your route easier, both on the road and in each of our service areas. Because we know that a good trip starts long before you start your engine.
