Knight-Swift Truck Driver Delivers Capitol Christmas Tree
Transport From Nevada Spans 3,700 Miles and Draws Crowds at 15 Community Stops
Key Takeaways:
- Knight-Swift driver Michael Porter delivered the 53-foot U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to the West Lawn on Nov. 21 after a 3,700-mile tour across nine states.
- The cross-country haul featured 15 community stops and relied on a Kenworth T680 and specialized trailer to accommodate the unusually long red fir.
- Porter said the tour’s heavy public attention underscored the teamwork, technology and equipment involved and highlighted the trucking industry as the holiday season begins.
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
truck driver Michael Porter spent nearly a month hauling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree across nine states, a journey he said brought unexpected pressure, steady crowds and one of the proudest moments of his career.
Porter was chosen to move the 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, a cross-country assignment he said he will never forget. Porter, who drives in Knight-Swift’s flatbed division, described the experience as an honor not only for himself but for the trucking industry he represents.
“It was an absolute honor to represent Knight-Swift and the trucking community for this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour,” said Porter, who delivered the tree Nov. 21. “The holiday season is a special time of the year, so to have the opportunity to spread holiday cheer to communities all across our great country as we made our way to D.C. was truly an unforgettable experience.”
Phoenix-based Knight-Swift ranks No. 7 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America and No. 1 on the truckload/dedicated sector list. It also ranks No. 31 on the TT Top 100 logistics companies list.
The Capitol Christmas Tree, which came from Nevada and is nicknamed "Silver Belle," was unloaded at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 21. (Karen Foote/American Trucking Associations)
The Capitol Christmas Tree tradition has relied on Kenworth trucks for the past 12 years, and the manufacturer again supplied the hauler for this year’s tour. The tree, nicknamed “Silver Belle,” traveled on an 80-foot Hale Trailer to accommodate its length. Porter pulled the load with a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, Paccar MX-13 engine, TX-12 automated transmission and DX-40 tandem rear axles. The rig featured artwork highlighting the “Spirit of the Silver State,” with a sunset mural set against Nevada’s forest backdrop.
It's official! 🎄💡 The Capitol Christmas Tree, known as Silver Belle, has arrived in DC and is all dressed for the holiday season! Silver Belle embarked on an incredible journey across America and made it to the Capitol safely, thanks to our Kenworth T680, Swift Transportation,… — Kenworth Truck Co. (@KenworthTruckCo)
Porter entered the trucking industry after starting his career as a mechanic working on cars and, later, heavy-duty trucks. He earned his commercial driver license seven years ago and moved into hauling oversized freight, a specialty that provided the experience needed to handle the unusually long Capitol Christmas Tree configuration.
“I realized I enjoyed driving big rigs more than I liked working in the shop,” Porter said. “I love being on the road, traveling the country and the flexibility I have in my schedule working with Knight-Swift. Truck drivers serve a pivotal role in our nation’s economy, and this tour is an excellent opportunity to highlight an important industry in trucking while kicking off the holiday season.”
Not just a tree, but a symbol of community and tradition ✨
- driver Mike Porter talks with about his cross-country trip that brought the from Nevada to the West Lawn. — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)
The tour covered about 3,700 miles and included 15 community event stops, where residents gathered to view the tree and meet the transport crew. Porter said the level of attention was unlike anything he had encountered on previous hauls, adding that the interest only elevated the sense of responsibility felt by everyone involved.
The tree, a 53-foot red fir, was harvested from Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in late October. It traveled on an 80-foot Hale Trailer. (Chris DeFranco/Quiet Film)
“From law enforcement leading the convoy to the logistical planners and all the sponsors involved, it was truly a team effort to safely make this 3,700-mile journey across the country possible,” he said. “I’ve never been involved in a transport with so much attention, which added a bit of pressure, but it also made the experience that much more rewarding. Everywhere we went, people were excited, waving, taking photos — you could really feel the pride and joy this tree brought to communities along the way.”
With snow falling, Porter stands on Nevada's Mt. Rose, where the tree was harvested. (Chris DeFranco/Quiet Film)
The Kenworth T680 used for the tour included the company’s DigitalVision Mirror system, which replaces traditional side mirrors with camera-based displays and expanded viewing angles. Porter said the technology provided visibility he relied on while maneuvering the trailer into crowded event sites.
“The most challenging part of the tour was navigating some of the tight city roads during the tour stops, but the truck’s DigitalVision Mirrors were really helpful in giving me a full view of my surroundings,” Porter said. “It’s impressive how far truck technology has come. I drive a T680 for Knight-Swift, and it’s a very driver-friendly truck that provides a comfortable ride, performs well and looks great.”
Porter spreads joy at a community stop in Amarillo, Texas. (Chris DeFranco/Quiet Film)
Porter said the community interactions along the route became the most memorable part of the assignment.
“To cap off this tour in D.C. with my family, who have been so supportive and thrilled for me to have this opportunity, is so surreal,” Porter said. “This holiday season is truly one for the books, and I’ll never forget the people we met and the pride everyone showed for this tradition.”
The Kenworth T680 and tree make a stop at the Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona border. (Chris DeFranco/Quiet Film)
The tree was lit Dec. 2. Visiting the tree is free and open to the public. It will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each night through early January.
Generative AI assisted in the creation of this article.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing belowor go here for more info:
