Optimal Trucker GPS Apps for Commercial Drivers: A Guide by Truckified.com
Navigating unfamiliar routes or learning new ones can be a daunting task for truck drivers. A trucking GPS app can be a valuable tool in such situations, helping you avoid traffic congestion and roadblocks due to accidents or construction work.
Table of Contents
- Advantages of a GPS App for Truckers
- Key Features of Top Trucker GPS Apps
- Top Free Truck GPS App
- Best Truck Navigation App for iPhone
- Best Truck Navigation App for Android
- Final Thoughts on Trucker GPS Apps
A GPS app can also prevent safety hazards, such as attempting to drive through an underpass that’s too low for your rig. These potentially expensive and dangerous incidents can be avoided with the right GPS app. Another advantage of a trucking GPS app is that it helps keep drivers on schedule, which is crucial as delays can impact future routes.
With a plethora of commercial truck navigation apps available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Truck drivers, particularly long-haul truckers, have limited downtime. If you’d rather not spend your off-hours sifting through every trucking GPS app to find the one that suits your needs, consider the tips and recommendations below. The team at Truckified.com has conducted extensive research to bring you some of the best trucker GPS apps available, both free and paid, to fit all budgets.
Advantages of a GPS App for Truckers
Apart from the obvious benefit of reaching your destination faster, there are several other advantages to using a GPS app for truckers:
Fuel cost reduction: A truck navigation app finds the most efficient route for timely arrival. Most apps can be set to identify the shortest route, saving on fuel costs. With the national average for diesel fuel prices around $3.34 per gallon (as of July 2021), long-haul truck drivers can’t afford to waste fuel.
Enhanced safety: Whether you’re on a short or long haul, a GPS app for truckers helps ensure your safety and that of others on the road. Low-bridge crashes are a major safety concern for commercial truck drivers. Most apps designed for commercial drivers include a feature that helps drivers avoid bridges with low underpasses.
Stress reduction: Driving in unfamiliar areas can be stressful, especially when operating a full-size tractor-trailer. Some of the best GPS navigation apps for commercial truck drivers provide clear route options that can get you to your destination faster and safer.
Better insurance rates: This is an indirect benefit. When you use a truck navigation app to navigate more safely, you inadvertently reduce your chances of getting into an accident. Fewer accidents mean cheaper insurance rates.
These are just a few of the benefits of using some of the best trucker GPS apps available today.
Key Features of Top Trucker GPS Apps
Choosing a GPS app for commercial trucking differs from selecting one for regular drivers. Commercial truck drivers have specific needs that go beyond those of regular motor vehicle operators. While there are many GPS apps to choose from, they’re not all created equal. The best trucker GPS apps have certain qualities, so ensure the one you plan to download has at least some of these features:
Real-time, updated maps: Apps that provide real-time, updated mapping are the best solution for truck drivers. Knowing when accidents and road closures occur can mean the difference between arriving on time and being stuck in traffic for hours.
Accurate navigation: Some free and poorly designed GPS apps have issues with accuracy. This is most likely a risk with truck navigation apps that don’t use real-time map updates.
Road restrictions: This is another important feature for any GPS app for commercial truck drivers. You can ensure compliance with regulations and improve your overall safety if you have an appthat factors in bridge and tunnel height limits, truck weight restrictions, Class 1-8 vehicle restrictions, and roads not approved for commercial use.
Top Free Truck GPS App
There are several free options for a GPS app for truckers that perform quite well. Google Maps is a reliable choice, offering frequent updates to road and driving conditions, including accidents, road closures, and speed traps. Long-haul truck drivers will appreciate the added benefit of locating fueling stations, overnight accommodations, and eateries along their route.
Waze is another free truck GPS app that works for both Android and iOS devices. Like Google Maps, Waze operates through crowdsourcing, providing real-time updates on everything from accidents to road closures, allowing you to reroute if necessary.
Trucker Path is another popular GPS app for truckers. It’s free to download and includes both free and paid features. You can choose whether you want the limited free version or the complete version with all the extras.
Best Truck Navigation App for iPhone
If you’re looking for a truck GPS app for iPhone, there are several options. One of our top picks, and arguably the best-rated truck navigation app in the Apple App Store, is Truckbook. It includes a host of trucking-specific features like:
Updated digital truck maps for real-time navigation.
Smooth operation with all mobile devices, including cellphones and tablets.
Roadside assistance.
Truck parking guides.
Plotting for truck repair services, weigh stations, and bridge/road restrictions.
TruckMap is another good navigation app for truckers, available in the Apple App Store for download onto an iOS device. It offers many of the same features as Truckbook on a scaled-down level.
Best Truck Navigation App for Android
Android users arguably have more choices than truckers who use iOS devices. The Google Play store includes a variety of commercial truck driver GPS apps.
One of the best truck navigation apps for Android is CoPilot GPS/CoPilot Mobile Navigation. This app is packed with all the features a commercial truck driver needs to navigate safely and arrive on time. CoPilot GPS is not a free app. It currently costs $9.99 per month for full access to all the tools available on the app. However, it’s well worth it for long-haul truckers who must navigate unfamiliar routes or high-traffic areas. Truckers can enter their rig’s dimensions and weight before taking a trip. The app uses that information to help you avoid bridge underpasses and other roadways that cannot accommodate the size of your truck.
If you like CoPilot GPS, it’s not limited to Android users. It’s also available on the Apple App Store for download onto any iOS mobile device, including iPhones and iPads.
Final Thoughts on Trucker GPS Apps
At Truckified.com, we want all truck drivers to stay safe on the roadways. Using a navigation app for truck drivers can help you arrive at your destination on time and safely.
