Photos by Ella Manthey
For most drivers, clocking 3 million miles on the road is difficult to comprehend.
At 500 miles a day, every day, it would take more than 16 years to reach that number. For the average person, it would take more than 150 years. The distance is roughly equivalent to traveling from Earth to the moon and back more than six times.
For St. Louis XPO driver Pete Easterle, though, 3 million miles represents something more significant than distance. For Easterle, after a career spanning more than three decades, it’s a testament to how safety is a priority every time he gets behind the wheel.
Easterle was recently honored by XPO at its St. Louis offices for reaching the milestone without an accident, an achievement company leaders described as a rare accomplishment and a reflection of his professionalism, focus, and commitment to the people who share the road with him.
“Three million miles without compromise and safety means millions of decisions made correctly,” one XPO leader said during the ceremony. “Millions of miles protecting not only himself, but his fellow employees and the motoring public.”
The recognition also offered a window into the culture surrounding XPO’s professional drivers. Colleagues described Easterle not only as a skilled driver, but as someone who has consistently looked out for the people around him.
One colleague recalled Easterle as someone who was always willing to help, whether answering questions, offering guidance, or simply taking time to talk. Another colleague said he learned important lessons early in his career from Easterle, describing him as a driver who cared about the people on the road and took his responsibilities seriously.
That emphasis on safety is central to XPO’s broader operations. The company says it uses training, technology, and safety leaders throughout its network to reinforce safe practices. Its Road to Zero program combines education, mentoring, communication, and on-the-job training, while XPO tracks accident-free miles and recognizes drivers who reach million-mile milestones.
As of Dec. 31, 2025, approximately 2,550 XPO less-than-truckload drivers had achieved at least 1 million accident-free miles, with 211 drivers reaching that threshold during 2025. Four drivers had surpassed four million accident-free miles since the Road to Zero program began in 2022.
The scale of XPO’s operation puts those individual accomplishments in perspective. The company operates one of the largest less-than-truckload networks in North America, serving approximately 38,000 shippers and providing coverage to about 99% of the U.S. In 2025, its North American LTL network moved approximately 16 billion pounds of freight.
But the work ultimately comes down to individual decisions made behind the wheel.
During his recognition ceremony, Easterle offered a simple piece of advice to other drivers: put the phone in its holder and leave it alone. He also emphasized getting enough rest and thinking about how a driver’s decisions affect other people and their families on the road.
“We’re trying to get a dangerous job done every day to keep this economy rolling,” he said, emphasizing that everyone has a role to play in keeping one another safe.
That message mirrors the philosophy behind XPO’s safety efforts. The company says its professional drivers are central to its LTL network, supported by training programs, technology, and a culture built around safe operations. XPO currently operates 130 driver-school locations as it continues expanding its network and training new drivers.
For Easterle, however, the 3-million-mile milestone isn’t simply a corporate safety statistic. His colleagues spoke about the years of relationships, mentorship, and dedication behind that number — and about the family members who supported him through long hours and nights on the road.
On the day of the ceremony, Easterle was surrounded by family. His wife, who he described as his rock, and his daughter, son-in-law, and 7-year-old granddaughter all watched as he was honored by XPO for his excellence on the job.
And perhaps that’s what makes the milestone most meaningful: Three million miles is an extraordinary distance, but for Easterle and his colleagues, the achievement is ultimately measured one safe mile at a time.