
The Meet a Pathfinder series explores what our Pathfinder users love about being part of the program, what’s their favorite thing to explore, and fun facts about themselves.
Today we have Alex Tkachev from Portland, Oregon.

What do I love about being a Pathfinder?
What I love about being a Pathfinder is that it encourages me to read other people’s comments and get engaged with the places that I visit.
I get to find out more about the locations that I visit and how truck stop management works hard to help truck drivers. It makes me feel more empathetic to the people that work there and all that they put into their jobs. Especially with the worker shortage, people work extra hard to keep this economy running.
My favorite thing to explore
My favorite thing to explore are truck stops that are in faraway locations that most people don’t know about. Finding truck stops that I haven’t heard of before, but that is some of the best places to relax.
Fun fact about me
I try to eat healthy even when healthy food options are limited.
The Trucker Path Pathfinder program aims to build a community for truckers who are enthusiastic, passionate, and adventurous. Every time you share an experience on the Trucker Path map help a fellow trucker over the road. If you love discovering hidden gems, supporting a mom-and-pop truck stop, and telling stories with vivid visuals and cogent reviews, join our squad to start your journey.




Trucker Spotlight - Matthew Eso <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso1.jpg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Matthew Eso</strong>, who's also known as The Little Guy on Youtube. He's been driving trucks since 2012 and shares the same love for trucking with his father and grandfather. Let's get to know more about Matthew and his trucking life.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
It's something I always wanted to do because it runs in my family.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso2.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What attributes must one have in order to be a successful truck driver?</strong></h3>
In order to be successful in this trucking game you have to know what you want first. Then chase it.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso3.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What's the most memorable experience you've had while over the road?</strong></h3>
Most memorable time on the road has to be when I took my son with me. Just watching his face light up from all the things he was seeing.
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<h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3>
Big fan of old school long hood trucks.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso4.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing? </strong></h3>
Always wanted to operate heavy machinery.
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<h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you? </strong></h3>
My favorite one is the Joplin 44 Petro with the chrome shop. Place is a truckers toy store.
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<h3><strong>What was the worst breakdown or setback you've experienced while OTR?</strong></h3>
Starting a Lease Purchase and the truck being a lemon off the lot.
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<h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3>
Having all of the points of interest a trucker uses in the <a href="https://sixdays.page.link/tLUu">Trucker Path</a> application is by far the best feature next to the turn by turn navigation.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/02/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Matthew_Eso5.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3>
Tips for others are be safe, stay hungry, and don't let anyone say you can’t do it.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLittleGuyTrucker/featured">The Little Guy Show</a>.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cl6yXAQxDRw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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When and where does parking get filled up faster? [p]As you may know, many truck drivers often rely on the Trucker Path app to find available parking over the road. But when is the best time to pull up to a truck stop?[/p]
[p]Our latest user feedback suggested that chain truck stops tend to get filled up faster than independent truck stops, and truck stops on the east coast tend to get filled up earlier than the ones on the east coast at night.[/p]
[p]For more details, check out the <a href="https://www.ccjdigital.com/workforce/article/15114926/truck-stop-parking-fills-up-earlier-more-often-at-chains" target="_blank">article by Commercial Carrier Journal</a>.[/p] 