US truck driver bought an 18-wheeler when it had just 28 miles and now it's at 3,500,000 miles he swears he'll never get rid of it

For one longtime truck driver, his trusted 18-wheeler has become more than just a job tool after carrying him past the million-mile mark many times.

The veteran driver shared the story in a video interview posted by the trucking platform Chris Kuna Drive.

Viewers quickly became fascinated with both the truck’s durability and the driver’s dedication to keeping it on the road.

Even more surprising, he said he has no plans to ever sell the truck.

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This 18-wheeler has gone through three major overhauls

The interview began with a simple question about the truck’s age.

The driver explained that the rig is a 1999 model, which he purchased when it had just 28 miles on the odometer.

More than two decades later, that number has skyrocketed past the million-mile marker to an incredible 3.5 million miles.

Despite the massive mileage, the truck is still running strong.

According to the driver, the truck’s engine is the same one that originally came with the truck when he bought it.

Over the years, however, it’s gone through three major overhauls to keep it performing properly.

In trucking terms, an overhaul essentially means rebuilding the engine.

Mechanics disassemble the engine’s major components, inspect them for wear, and replace or refurbish parts to extend the vehicle’s lifespan.

The truck is also equipped with an 18-speed transmission, a common setup for heavy-duty semi-trucks designed to haul massive loads across long distances.

When the interviewer asked the truck driver how many more miles he planned to put on the truck before retiring it, he had a very simple answer.

“I’ll never get rid of it,” the driver said.

Although he mentioned that he might retire soon, he admitted that the decision wasn’t certain.

Like many long-haul drivers, trucking has clearly become more than just a job.

The equivalent of driving five times around the Earth annually

The video quickly sparked plenty of discussion in the comments section.

Many viewers were impressed by the sheer number of miles the truck had traveled.

One commenter even attempted to estimate the financial success behind the truck’s long life.

The vehicle likely cost around $80,000 when new, and while engine rebuilds may have added tens of thousands more, the truck likely generated millions in revenue over its lifetime.

In that sense, the 18-wheeler was a big monetary win.

Another viewer calculated that based on the truck’s total mileage, the truck driver likely averaged around 129,000 miles per year.

This is pretty high, although it’s nothing compared to this particular semi-truck.

Semi-trucks prove how durable they can be

The story highlights just how durable semi-trucks can be.

Industry estimates suggest that many well-maintained trucks can reach 750,000 miles, while some models regularly surpass the million-mile mark.

But 3.5 million miles?

That’s a level of endurance that even most trucks on the road will never come close to reaching.