Six Million Kilometers Behind the Wheel: Why This Amazon Driver Isn’t Planning to Retire. A 58-year-old driver from Asturias has logged over six million kilometers in his career and has no plans to slow down. After years of international routes, he chose to work for Amazon in Spain and is confident he’s found his place on the country’s roads.
Nicolás, a driver from Asturias, is 58 years old and has covered more than six million kilometers on Europe’s roads. Despite his age and impressive experience, he has no plans to retire — on the contrary, he continues to go out on routes across Spain every day, working for Amazon as an independent carrier.
Nicolás spent almost his entire professional life in international transport: Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, England — the list of countries where he has worked is impressive. However, two years ago he decided to change pace and took up an acquaintance’s offer to switch to domestic routes in his native Asturias. This marked the start of his new chapter in cooperation with Amazon.
Switching to domestic routes
Before Amazon, Nicolás transported cargo for major companies, including Walmart, and was used to life on the road. But, in his words, it was working on the domestic market that made him feel truly at home. Now he drives a 12-wheel truck with the Amazon logo and regularly delivers goods to the logistics center in Murcia.
Nicolás prefers not to disclose exactly what he transports, referring to it as ‘user secret,’ but notes that it is most often electronics, clothing, drinks — everything clients order every day. He simply describes his job as: 'delivering smiles.'
Experience and road safety
The driver admits: he is truly happy behind the wheel. He especially appreciates moments when schoolchildren greet him from the windows of buses—these little details brighten up his routine. After many years abroad, he is certain that domestic routes suit him best. He prefers to work alone—it's calmer and more reliable that way.
Safety is a separate issue. Nicolás claims that in all his years, he has never encountered theft on the road. The secret lies in experience and strict adherence to the rules: arriving on time, not lingering at stops, choosing guarded parking lots. He adopted this approach from his father, who was also involved in transportation.
Industry challenges and a look to the future
Nicolás’s story reflects one of the main issues facing the industry: a shortage of young staff and a lack of generational turnover. While e-commerce demands more and more experienced drivers, the profession remains unattractive to young people due to difficult working conditions, irregular rest, and risks on the road.
According to industry associations, the average age of truck drivers in Spain continues to rise, while demand for transport services only grows. In these circumstances, experience and discipline become key qualities for those who remain in the profession.
Judging by Nicolás’s story, for some drivers, the job is not just a way to earn money but a conscious choice and a source of inner stability. And for now, he has no plans to swap the wheel for a retiree’s chair.
