Trucker Life · Idaho · October 31, 2026

A 76-Foot Capitol Christmas Tree Starts a 2,000-Mile Trip From Idaho to Washington, D.C., With Four Veteran Truckers and a Custom Kenworth T680

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is on the road, and four veteran truckers and transportation professionals are hauling it. The tour kicked off Oct. 29 in Grangeville, Idaho, and a 76-foot Engelmann spruce will travel more than 2,000 miles before arriving on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 20, CDL Life and ATruckDrivers reported on Oct. 30.

The tree and the truck

The tree was harvested from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho. Kenworth provided a T680 with a newly installed graphics wrap celebrating the theme "Over the River and Through the Woods," according to ATruckDrivers. The truck has a 76-inch sleeper and a PACCAR powertrain with an MX-13 engine, a TX-12 automated transmission and DX-40 tandem rear axles. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration inspectors checked the truck before it hit the road.

Inside, the sleeper has heated and cooled leather seats and a factory-installed refrigerator. For the third year, Kenworth will provide real-time GPS tracking so people can follow the tree on an interactive map.

The crew

Boise Cascade, an Idaho-based building materials maker and distributor, was chosen as this year's hauler. The company appointed four veterans of the industry:

• Monte Cook of Spokane, Washington, a veteran truck driver and operations leader with 33 years of experience and nearly 3 million miles.
• Phil Cramer of Laurel, Montana, an operations manager with 22 years in the industry and 1.5 million safe driving miles.
• Fred Holmes of Salmon, Idaho, a former driver and current product manager with more than 20 years of experience.
• Tianne Larrimer of Sugar Land, Texas, a military-trained logistics professional with more than 30 years of experience, including Army service, heavy hauling and flatbed.

What people can do along the way

Communities can see the tree, sign commemorative banners attached to its extra-long trailer and learn about Idaho's national forests. The events are open to the public at no cost. FMCSA's Our Roads, Our Safety campaign is traveling with the tree through 10 states to promote sharing the road safely with large trucks. Alaska Airlines will help transport thousands of handmade ornaments created by Idahoans.

Where it stops

Saturday, Oct. 31, is Moscow, Idaho. After that: Orofino and Kamiah, Idaho (Nov. 1); Lolo, Montana (Nov. 3); Salmon, Idaho (Nov. 4); Craters of the Moon National Monument and Twin Falls, Idaho (Nov. 5); Idaho Falls (Nov. 6); Gardiner, Montana (Nov. 7); Sheridan, Wyoming (Nov. 9); Custer, South Dakota (Nov. 10); Mitchell, South Dakota, and Albert Lea, Minnesota (Nov. 12); Peoria, Illinois (Nov. 13); Richmond, Indiana (Nov. 14); Morgantown, West Virginia (Nov. 16); Hagerstown, Maryland, and Littlestown, Pennsylvania (Nov. 17); and Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (Nov. 19, military ID access only). A tree lighting ceremony is planned for early December, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the Speaker of the House.

Quick facts

• The tree: a 76-foot Engelmann spruce from Idaho.
• The trip: more than 2,000 miles, starting Oct. 29 in Grangeville, Idaho.
• Arrival: West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 20, 2026.
• The truck: a wrapped Kenworth T680, checked by FMCSA inspectors before departure.

Big Rig Daily has also covered Pilot Flying J's Veterans Day meal round up.

A 2,000 mile haul starts with a walk-around, and Big Rig Daily's pre-trip inspection checklist covers the basics.

A question for readers

Would you drive out to see the tree when it rolls through your state?

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