Team driving comes with a challenge solo drivers never face: sleeping while the truck is moving. Potholes, lane changes, braking, road noise, and a partner who drives a little differently than you would -- all while you're trying to get the rest you need to drive safely on your next shift.

Some drivers adapt in a week. Others struggle for months. The good news is that sleeping in a moving truck is a skill, and it gets easier with the right setup and habits.

Upgrade the Bunk

The factory mattress in most sleepers is the first thing experienced team drivers replace. A good mattress or a quality memory-foam topper absorbs a surprising amount of road vibration. Add:

• A pillow you actually like, brought from home
• Blackout curtains or a sleep mask for daytime sleeping
• A bunk restraint or net -- for safety, and because feeling secure helps you relax

Control the Noise

Road noise is constant, but it's the sudden sounds -- a jake brake, a CB radio, a phone notification -- that wake you up. Foam earplugs or noise-cancelling earbuds help a lot, and many drivers swear by a white noise app or small fan to even out the background sound. Agree with your co-driver on keeping the radio and phone calls down while you're in the bunk.

Get the Temperature Right

Most people sleep best in a cool room. Sleepers can swing hot or cold quickly, so figure out a temperature you can both live with and dress for it. Layered bedding makes it easy to adjust without waking up fully.

Keep a Consistent Schedule

Your body adapts to a routine much faster than to a constantly shifting one. Teams that keep the same rotation day after day -- same driver on nights, same sleep window -- usually sleep better than teams that change it up every trip. A consistent schedule also helps you fall asleep faster when it's time to rest.

Watch the Caffeine and the Screens

• Cut off caffeine several hours before your sleep window
• Avoid heavy meals right before lying down
• Put the phone away -- scrolling in the bunk keeps your brain awake long after you set it down

Your Co-Driver Makes a Huge Difference

This is the part people don't think about until they're living it: how well you sleep depends a lot on how your partner drives. Smooth acceleration, gentle braking, and taking rough patches carefully make the bunk far more restful. A heads-up before a sharp exit or a construction zone helps too.

It goes both ways -- drive the way you'd want to be driven while you're sleeping. Teams that look out for each other's rest tend to stay together longer.

When It's More Than Adjustment

If you're consistently exhausted, waking up gasping, or nodding off behind the wheel, don't just push through. Fatigue is a safety issue, and conditions like sleep apnea are common among drivers and very treatable. Talk to a doctor -- and to your co-driver about adjusting the schedule.

Bottom Line

A good bunk setup and solid habits go a long way, but the biggest factor in sleeping well on a team is the person driving while you rest. Find a partner whose driving style and schedule fit yours, and the rest gets much easier.

Get started on DriverMatch and find a co-driver you can trust at the wheel while you sleep.