Radio On The Road: The Best Shows For Driving

Anyone who drives knows the importance of staying alert while in control of a vehicle. But for those who drive HGVs for a living (particularly long haul), the need to be on top form at all times is imperative. One of the best ways of keeping concentration is by having company in the cab of your lorry – and, if that's not possible, your next best friend is the radio!

With a new wall of sound blaring out of every digit on the dial it's hard to find a show that can keep you interested. But we've done the research for you, so pump up the volume and let's get started!

Desert Island Discs

This much-loved series, which is hosted by perennial favourite Kirsty Young, follows an intimate, insightful, interview with a well-known personality – be it from sports, entertainment, politics, academia or whatever – as they discuss their choice of music, books and a luxury item they'd take with them to a desert island. Young has the ability to really get under the skin of her guests and you'll learn a few surprises about these people beyond their public personas as they discuss the stories and memories behind their choices – particularly the eight music tracks. There's no chance of getting bored in the 30-minute segments, and a few of these can go a long way on a long drive!

Listen to it on BBC Radio 4 or download the podcast for later.

Newsjack

It's news, but not as you know it, on this highly amusing take on the week's current events. If you like the TV show "Have I got News for You", you'll love Newsjack, which follows the same format of presenting serious news in a comical, irreverent light. Created and presented by members of the public, the "news" is presented in hilarious vox pops and satirical one-liners in a fast paced 30-minute show, hosted by the popular British stand up comedian Nish Kumar. This show has the goods to keep you laughing for many a country mile.

Listen to it on BBC Radio 4 Extra or download the podcast.

Guardian Football Weekly Extra

We all know how serious the business of football is, but even so, sometimes keeping up with the fixtures, results and who's doing what on and off the field can get a little dry. The Guardian Football Weekly Extra gives you all the low-down along with some very quick-witted commentary. The analysis from host James Richardson and his carousel of high-profile guests is spot-on, and the crew certainly don't miss a chance to make a pun at each other's expense. For sports loving lorry drivers this show is a real treat, and even if you miss a few episodes, you can download and binge listen to them all consecutively on a long haul trip. What could be better company as you work than your favourite footy team? Although we can't guarantee the results…

Download the podcasts at www.guardian.co.uk

The Danny Baker Show

The name Danny Baker is spoken in hushed, reverential tones around the hallways of the BBC… Well, maybe not, but he certainly is one of the best-loved radio presenters of our times. The journalist/comedian has been on our airwaves since the 1970s and his current show is a brilliant clash of sports and entertainment, with a procession of regular and special guests. Baker covers the sports but with a good dash of hilarity, and his legendary lines of questioning can reduce even the most serious sportsman to a giggling schoolgirl within minutes.

Scheduled for the Saturday morning slot on BBC Radio 5, past episodes can also be downloaded as podcasts and listened to at any time.

Long Distances, No Problem

Ensuring you stay engaged, through things like listening to podcasts, makes driving long distances a lot easier. Knowing you're not alone in tackling other challenges on the road is also very important, which is why joining an online freight exchange should be a high priority. As well as having access to real time jobs, being part of a freight exchange community allows you to network, form partnerships and create trusted relationships with other members.

The UK's fastest growing freight exchange, Haulage Exchange, is the ideal collaborative space and creates myriad opportunities for members to connect with each other and trade information, jobs, innovations – and, yes, even tips for the best radio shows!

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their online freight exchange, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching loads and with available drivers. Over 4,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.