Joe 'Tom' Yateley is an ex-convict who has decided to start working for the Hawlett Trucking company, which transports gravel. The company is aggressive and values speed, so doing less runs in a day results in being fired. Tom soon makes friends with Lucy, the secretary, and Gino, a driver. However, Tom becomes intrigued by Red, the most experienced trucker, who can do 18 runs in a day. Gino advises against trying to break Red's record but helps Tom when he wants to go through with it. Soon trouble arises when Red and the other drivers form an alliance against Tom. Just when Tom has enough and decides to pack his bags, Lucy tells him that Gino had a terrible accident and also reveals that there is corruption within Hawlett Trucking.