If you think you spend a lot of time on the road, Kurt Coulson will leave you in the dust. A driver for Con-way Freight trucking company, Coulson has traveled nearly 1.7 million miles during his 27-year trucking career - the equivalent of 68 trips around the earth’s equator.

His exemplary dedication and safety record earned him Washington Trucking Associations’ (WTA) 2011 Driver of the Year award.

“The Washington Trucking Associations is very proud of Kurt’s professional history,” says Mike Southards, WTA director of safety. “His personal conduct as a commercial vehicle driver is exemplary.”

WTA drivers are nominated by their employers and factors include years of experience, miles driven, preventable accidents, moving violations and community involvement. Washington State Patrol helps evaluate nominees. Coulson received the award July 23 during a ceremony at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

For Coulson, it is the driving journey and not the destination that makes him happiest.

“I like driving because you have some solitude,” says Coulson. “There is peace of mind being away from the office.”

Coulson was born in Seattle and currently lives in SeaTac. A 12-year employee of Con-way, his typical route is driving between Renton, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. He makes the 360-mile roundtrip journey five nights a week and spends a total of seven hours per trip behind the wheel of his Freightliner Cascadia truck.

“Time flies once you’ve done it for so long. I don’t even think about it anymore,” says Coulson. He sometimes stops for a 15-minute rest or to grab a snack, but generally keeps to the road. Classic rock on the radio keeps him company or jazz if it’s been “a rough day.”

His safety record is enviable by any driving standards. During his multi-decade trucking career, he has not been at fault for a single accident. Coulson, who earned his first driver’s license in 1977 and drove a Pontiac GTO, credits common sense for keeping him safe whether driving personally or professionally.

“Nowadays, everyone is in a hurry and they don’t always think about the consequences (of unsafe driving). Being a couple of minutes late is one thing, but all it takes is a split second to be dead from a serious accident. Slow down and be safe,” says Coulson.

Other drives are the biggest danger for Coulson. He deals nightly with people who do not comprehend the challenges of operating a commercial truck. The majority of vehicle-truck accidents are caused by passenger cars and a common cause is cutting in front of semis.

“There is more difficulty in handling a truck. It takes at least 80 feet for me to stop decently,” says Coulson. He is emphatic that most truck drivers are more than willing to share the road for safety’s sake.

“Most drivers will make room for you and let you over if you just signal,” he says.

Some might assume that Coulson has a bit of wanderlust to withstand so much travel, but it is partially his love of home that makes the miles fly by.

“I enjoy being in the position I am. I like the fact that I get to be at home every day,” he says. He finds time for personal interests such as scuba diving, skiing or taking walks and enjoying some fresh air. Along with his mother, he volunteers at the American Legion Hall of West Seattle. Amazingly, he does not rule out the possibility of an occasional road trip to Oregon or California in his Chevy Impala.

He only has one stipulation.

“When I drive personally, I want an automatic not a stick!” he says.