On the morning of June 24, H‑E‑B truck driver Jose Luis “JJ” Jaramillo became the fourth H‑E‑B driver to reach four million consecutive safe miles.
In his nearly 40 years as a driver, Jaramillo averaged about 115,000 miles per year to reach four million, which is equivalent to more than 160 trips around the Earth. The average motorist drives about 14,000 miles per year. At that rate, it would take an average driver 285 years to reach four million miles – and that is while driving without pulling a 53‑foot trailer.
“JJ’s achievement is a testament to his professionalism, commitment to safety and dedication to H‑E‑B’s values,” said Todd Wright, H‑E‑B SVP of transportation and logistics. “Reaching four million consecutive safe miles is a milestone few drivers in the industry will ever accomplish, and we are proud to celebrate this historic achievement.”
Jaramillo achieved 1 million consecutive safe miles in December 2000, nearly 10 years after he joined H‑E‑B. He initially joined the company as a warehouse worker but transitioned into truck driving when a position became available. His love of trucks, however, goes back to childhood road trips. “We would always pass eighteen‑wheelers and I would do the signal to honk at the trucks,” Jaramillo said. “I don’t know why I always loved it. With that, I guess, I just loved trucks.”
Jaramillo’s pride in his work has led him to become an active participant in the Truck Driving Championships. Since his start in 1990, he has qualified for 25 regional, 17 state, and two national competitions. At the 1996 National Competition in Florida, he became the first Rio Grande Valley driver to win a national championship event. He was also the McAllen International Truck Driving Champion in 1999 and 2000.
Outside of competition, Jaramillo has dedicated his time to various transportation committees and the 100 Club, a nonprofit that aids the families of fallen and severely injured active duty first responders.
“It’s a crazy feeling. It’s hard to explain but I just love to work and drive the big truck,” Jaramillo said as he tapped his chest. “I’ve impacted more people than I realized, and that feels awesome.”
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About H‑E‑B
H‑E‑B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates more than 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Based in San Antonio, the company has more than 175,000 employees and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities.
