Here’s What We Wish You Knew (From Your APD Driver)
The unofficial guide to being a great neighbor to your delivery driver.
It’s Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and we’re tipping our hats (and coffee mugs) to the folks who keep Fairbanks fueled. At APD, our drivers don’t just deliver heating oil, diesel, and gasoline. They navigate snowstorms, dodge giant icicles, and navigate roads that should probably come with warning signs.
We’ve been serving Alaska since 1981, and after more than four decades on these roads, we’ve picked up a few things, like what makes our drivers so good at what they do, and what they wish more people knew.
1. Safe Driving Starts with You
Delivering fuel isn’t some Sunday drive, especially around Fairbanks. Our drivers are trained to handle serious materials and terrain, and still set up safely at your tank, even when the snow is really coming down.
You can help keep it smooth by giving them plenty of space. Or, as we like to say: if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you. And if you've got snow, brush, or junk blocking your tank, it makes things tricker for everyone. Want to spot trouble before it speaks? Check out our tank‑maintenance cheat sheet.
2. Local Roads, Local Folks
Our drivers aren’t just passing through. They’re part of the Fairbanks fabric. They’re the ones dodging potholes, recognizing your pup, and tipping each other off to shortcuts when the Chena starts to freeze.
When you see that big APD truck roll by, smile and wave! You probably know the person behind the wheel, and they know this place like the back of their hand.
3. We Go the Extra Mile (and Then Some)
Meet Dave, a Fairbanks legend since 1988. He’s more than a delivery guy: he’s the guy who once got stuck sideways in a snowbank and dug himself out, who carries spare parts for stranded drivers, and who takes cookies from a teacher waiting at the fill point. Talk about going above and beyond.
“I feel good about what I do when I can help somebody out,” says Dave. We believe it! Read more of Dave’s stories here. They’ll restore your faith in humanity (or at least in our delivery team).
Thanks for Rolling with Us
At APD, our drivers are skilled, reliable, and rooted right here in our community. They do tough, sometimes wild jobs, and they do it with a sense of care and a layer of Alaskan pride.
So if one of our truckers defrosted your day with a full tank and a smile, head over to our Facebook page and give them a virtual high-five. And to every APD driver who’s climbed out of the cab into the cold… we see you, and we’re #grateful.
APD Driver Dave in Fairbanks
