How Do I Get Mail & Packages as an OTR Trucker?
Stop stressing about getting your mail on the road with a virtual mailbox and mail forwarding service.
When you’re living life On The Road (OTR), day-to-day logistics just aren’t designed for you—and it’s frustrating! It’s mind-blowingly easy to end up overnighting somewhere remote without access to a post office, much less your permanent mailing address.
So how can you get your important letters and packages in a timely manner as an OTR trucker? Let’s take a look at a few ways to eliminate your mail difficulties.
1. Digitize as much as possible.
The best way to deal with mail when you don’t have a consistent address is to reduce physical mail as much as possible. You may not be able to digitize a package, but when it comes to letters, bills, and notifications, digital is the way to go.
To digitize any regular mail from a subscription or other account, simply log into your account and look for a “paperless” option. Most companies now offer digital communication and using it cuts back significantly on the number of letters you can expect to receive.
Pro tip: While most account-based mail can go digital these days, there are certain pieces of mail that will always require a physical delivery address for security reasons. Those pieces include:
- IRS notices: The IRS only communicates via physical mail—this is also a good fact to note to avoid tax scams! The IRS will never call or email you.
- New debit or credit cards: Even if you’re using Apple Pay or a related payment method, all new cards must first be delivered and activated physically. This one is crucial to account for if you know your credit or debit cards are set to expire soon.
- Jury duty summons: Even though you might not have a home address, you remain an American citizen. That means you retain the right to vote via absentee ballot…and you remain available for jury duty. Unless you unregister to vote, you are still eligible to serve on a jury in your home state. Granted, you’re likely to be excused once they learn you’re constantly on the road, but it’s best to avoid the headache.
- Government IDs: You can register for a new ID or passport online, but unfortunately you can only receive one at a physical address.
2) Send your mail to a home base.
Not everyone OTR works out of a home base, but if you do, that’s usually one of the best places to send your mail and packages! Whether you have a family you regularly return to or friends willing to lend a helping hand, using a set address for your mail can be a lifesaver.
To send your mail to family or friends for safe keeping, all you’ll have to do is register their address on the USPS website as your rerouted address. You can also make the switch in person at your nearest post office—no matter what state you’re in at the time.
Using a family member or friend as your mail recipient can be a fantastic solution, but it’s not without flaws. Let’s take a look at a couple pros and cons.
Pros of rerouting your mail to friends or family:
- Cost: This solution is completely free! Ideally, family and friends provide a budget-friendly harbor for your stray mail and packages while you’re on the road.
- Reassurance: Knowing that your mail and packages are with loved ones feels safe and secure. Plus, you can always ask them to open something if you need to know its contents immediately.
Cons of rerouting your mail to friends or family:
- Longer timeline: If you’re driving for 2-6 weeks at a time across the country and all your physical mail goes to one location, it could be well over a month before you get your hands on a long-awaited package or particularly urgent bill.
- Potential theft: You might trust your loved ones, but that doesn’t make their mailbox safe. Mailbox thefts are on the rise and sending your mail to an unprotected mailbox isn’t always the safest solution.
3) Use a Post Office Box
If you know you’ll be returning to a home base area, but don’t have a set address, you can also opt for a USPS PO box. PO boxes are just like you—working hard without an address. Many people use PO boxes for temporary travels or small business needs, but they’re also excellent solutions for anyone without a mailbox to call their own.
They’re also incredibly simple to set up. All you’ll need to do is run over to the USPS PO Box site, apply online, pick up the keys, and get back on the road. Depending on how many packages you’re planning on getting, you can even choose between different PO box sizes—if they have them.
Unfortunately, PO boxes come with a catch: they’re limited to certain locations and numbers. If all the PO boxes in your home base area are taken, you’re out of luck. Always remember to call ahead with plenty of time to resort to plan B if necessary!
4) Register with a Virtual Mailbox or Mail Forwarding Service.
When you’re on the road, you don’t have time to chase your mail from city to city—and with a virtual mailbox or mail forwarding service, you don’t have to!
Traveling Mailbox travels with you—wherever you go and however long you’re there. Every day, we scan each and every piece of your mail and upload the pictures to your personal online portal. From there, you have full, hands-on control. Go through your mail and send your instructions back to our team. With your go-ahead, we can toss junk mail, open time-sensitive statements, and even deposit checks on your behalf.
We also make packages a breeze. If you want anything held, we’ve got you. Want it forwarded to your next destination? We’re on it! At Traveling Mailbox, we believe your mail should travel anywhere you do.
Heading back out on the road soon? Try Traveling Mailbox today and see how much easier mail can be with the right company in the driver’s seat.