Technology is changing the way the trucking industry operates. While vehicles and fleet managers are becoming more technologically advanced, as a truck driver, there are various apps you can install to make your life more efficient, safe, and convenient.
From health and wellness to route planning and load management, here are some of the best trucking apps to check out.
Best Apps For Truck Drivers
From specialist trucking apps to general apps that every driver should have, here are some of the most useful smartphone apps that we’d recommend you install as a truck driver.
Top All-in-One Apps
To avoid filling up your phone with unnecessary apps, these all-in-one trucker apps include a useful range of tools to make any journey a lot easier to manage.
Trucker Path
Trucker Path is often rated as the best trip-planning app for truck drivers. It provides great information about truck stops, parking, and weigh stations.
Features:
- Truck navigation app with over 300K POIs
- Excellent insights into truck stops
- Route optimization tools
- Weigh station search
- Discounted fuel deals at participating truck stops
Benefits:
- Easily find parking spots and avoid wasting time searching
- Save money by finding the best fuel prices
- Plan efficient routes to save time and fuel
- Avoid long waits at weigh stations
- Get reliable information from other truckers
Trucker Tools
Trucker Tools is an app that helps truck drivers plan their routes and find essential services on the road.
Features:
- Truck stop guide with rest areas, weigh stations, parking, and truck washes
- Route planning with nearby services
Benefits
- Plan your stops and rest breaks more efficiently
- Find essential services quickly while on the road
- Avoid last-minute scrambling for parking spots
The Best Apps for Hours of Service and Compliance
Staying compliant with hours of service (HOS) regulations is crucial for truck drivers to stay safe on the roads. Here are two useful apps to help drivers easily track their hours and meet all legal requirements.
Motive
Motive is a leading all-in-one solution for electronic logging and fleet management. The app includes tools for driver safety, equipment monitoring, spend management, and more. It’s one of the most comprehensive trucker apps, and it’s great for managing HOS regulations.
Features:
- Automatic log recording
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Fleet compliance and maintenance features
- AI-powered driver safety features
Benefits:
- Ensure accurate log entries without manual input
- Track your location and route in real-time
- Simplify vehicle inspection reports
- Automates and digitizes time-consuming fleet management tasks
BigRoad
BigRoad is an ELD and fleet management app that truck owners can use to simplify HOS tracking and compliance for truck drivers, along with a range of telematics tools and management solutions for fleets of all sizes.
Features:
- Easy-to-use electronic logbook
- Video telematics
- Video inspection tools
- ELD compliance reporting and alerts
Benefits:
- Maintain accurate logs with minimal effort
- Get instant updates on your hours of service status
- Makes ELD management easy for Canadian fleet managers
The Best Apps for Navigation and Route Planning
Effective navigation and route planning are essential for truck drivers. Of course, you can use a general truck app like Trucker Path or Trucker Tools to plan and manage routes. However, sometimes the best trucker apps for navigation are the most straightforward apps designed for all road users.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a widely used navigation app that provides comprehensive mapping and real-time traffic data for truck drivers. It’s accurate and straightforward.
Google Maps is not a trucker-specific app. We’ve included it in our guide for its valuable satellite and street view features. The satellite view lets you check a location from above, helping you spot obstructions, choose the right driveway, and locate the dock.
Features:
- Real-time traffic updates
- Satellite imagery and street view
- Customizable routes
- Points of interest along the route
Benefits:
- Navigate efficiently with real-time traffic information
- Customize routes to fit your preferences
- Discover fuel stations, rest areas, and restaurants on your way
The Best Apps for Load Management and Freight Matching
Efficient load management and freight matching is an essential part of being a truck driver. General trucker apps listed above, like Trucker Tools, are great for this. Here’s another top choice to help you streamline load management.
DAT Load Board
DAT Load Board is a comprehensive platform for finding freight loads and managing them efficiently. The app is tailored for truck drivers and carriers.
Features:
- Real-time load searching
- Freight rate information
- Load tracking and updates
- Helpful analytics features
Benefits:
- Find available loads quickly
- Access up-to-date freight rates
- Keep track of your loads with real-time updates
The Best Apps for Fuel and Maintenance Management
As any truck driver or fleet manager knows, efficient fuel management and maintenance are two of the most important parts of owning a commercial vehicle. Instead of relying on a manual vehicle maintenance checklist, you can use specialized apps to help you save money on fuel and keep your truck in top condition.
Here are two great options in this category.
GasBuddy
GasBuddy is a popular app that helps drivers find the cheapest fuel prices nearby. It’s super easy to use and can help you save significantly on your fuel costs.
Features:
- Real-time fuel price updates
- Trip cost calculator
- Fuel price map
- Station outage tracker
Benefits:
- Save money by finding the lowest fuel prices
- Calculate the cost of your trips
- Easily locate fuel stations on your route
- Avoid stations with fuel outages
FleetAdvance
FleetAdvance is an app designed to help drivers manage fuel purchases and find fuel discounts. The app is part of Comdata, which offers a range of truck fleet management solutions.
Features:
- Fuel price comparisons
- Fuel transaction tracking
- Fuel usage reports
Benefits:
- Compare fuel prices to find the best deals
- Track your fuel transactions for better budgeting
- Get detailed reports on fuel usage
The Best Apps for Weather and Road Conditions
Staying updated on weather and road conditions is crucial for anyone in the trucking industry to fulfill timely deliveries. Here are two great apps that provide real-time weather information to help you navigate your routes more effectively.
Windy. app
Windy. app offers detailed weather data, including wind speed and direction, which is always useful for truck drivers navigating long highways.
Features:
- Real-time weather updates
- Wind speed and direction data
- Customizable weather alerts
- Offline mode for weather checks when you’re not connected
Benefits:
- Stay informed about current weather
- Plan routes considering wind
- Receive alerts for severe weather
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel app is a trusted resource for staying ahead of changing weather. With real-time updates, radar maps, and severe weather alerts, the app provides truck drivers with the critical information they need to navigate safely.
Features:
- Real-time weather updates
- Severe weather alerts
- Radar maps
Benefits:
- Helps drivers prepare for adverse weather conditions
- Provides accurate and up-to-date forecasts
- Alerts drivers to potential weather-related hazards on their route
The Best Apps for Health and Wellness
Maintaining good health and wellness on the road is essential for truck drivers. Here are two great apps to help track your fitness, diet, and overall well-being.
Rolling Strong
Rolling Strong is a health and wellness app for professional truck drivers.
Features:
- Customizable wellness programs designed for truck drivers
- Guided workout routines
- Health and wellness education with truckers in mind
Benefits:
- Easily follow and log workout routines on the road
- Monitor your diet, hydration, and sleep habits
- Improve overall health and well-being with guidance designed for your role as a truck driver
MyFitnessPal
MyFitnessPal helps you track your meals and physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the road.
Features:
- Food logging and BMR calculator
- Detailed nutrient breakdown
- Integration with other fitness apps
- Calorie and activity tracking
Benefits:
- Easily log and track your meals
- Stay on top of your calorie intake and physical activity
The Best Apps for Communication and Connectivity
Staying connected on the road is essential for maintaining a social life as a truck driver.
Popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Zoom, and Facetime are all useful for keeping a social connection. We’d recommend focusing on video calls over texts or regular phone calls to help you feel more connected to people when you’re on the road.
Final Thoughts
These apps are easily available via the Apple App Store or your Android device’s app store. Although it might seem like a long list of apps, having the right technology in your pocket can make your life as a truck driver infinitely easier.
Of course, having a great truck is also essential for more efficient driving. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial Services if you’re after the easiest way to gain financing for a new commercial truck.
