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You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘There’s an app for that.’ which in most cases is accurate. There really are apps out there designed for nearly everything and everybody - and that includes apps for truckers.
The list of top apps for truckers includes:
In addition to what’s listed above there are numerous other apps that are helpful in the daily lives of truck drivers.
Check out the rest of this guide and discover all of the apps that can help improve your life as a truck driver.
There are so many apps out there, it’s hard to pick just one that you can call “the best”.
Just like any profession, truck drivers face countless challenges every day, both on the job and in their personal lives. Truckers have to find a way to navigate across the country, keep themselves entertained on long road trips, stay in shape and so much more. There’s no one app that can do it all.
Due to the fact that so many apps exist, there doesn’t have to be just one. You can find different trucking apps that meet your specific needs, and each of them are great in their own right.
We’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you and put together a list of what we think are some of the best mobile apps for truckers. Every section includes options that meet a number of different needs and contains at least one option that’s completely free to use.
For many truck drivers, the most important tool you can have in your toolbelt is a good navigation app.
In a job that can take you to brand new cities and states, hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, being able to easily and consistently map out your route and follow guided directions is not just a luxury - It’s crucial to the job.
Then there’s the issue of accessibility. There are a variety of factors related to infrastructure that can impact the way you’re able to perform your job, including:
Additionally, you’re constantly having to deal with changing road conditions, like:
No matter how good your sense of direction and ability to follow road signs is, there are some things that you just can’t avoid without having access to real-time updates and guided navigation.
Choosing the wrong route or having to search for the nearest truck stop can lead to delays and lost time. And time is money - especially when a delay can mean the difference in picking up a new load or being able to complete your delivery on time.
Fortunately, with the navigation apps that we’ve laid out for you, you can plan out your route ahead of time, stay up to date on ever-changing road conditions and get yourself from Point A to Point B as quickly and easily as possible.
Earlier we said that there was no one app that was better than the rest - but Trucker Path probably comes the closest. Considered by many as America’s most popular app for truckers, Trucker Path is a comprehensive, all-in-one tool designed to improve the lives of truck drivers.
Trucker Path is a fantastic tool for planning multi-day trips with the ability to instantly connect you to more than 40,000 truck stops and truck parking areas across the country. Its in-app maps are designed to provide real-time info, updated by a nationwide community of truckers. This includes:
The app also includes updated fuel prices, locations of more than 400 truck washes and easy access to rest stops, so you can optimize your route and avoid unproductive stops.
While the app offers a lot, it does come at a price. To take advantage of everything Trucker Path has to offer, you can subscribe at either $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.
Cost: Free to download ($29.99/mo., $299.99/yr.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Trucker Path with many of the same features, look no further than Hammer - a 100% free trucker GPS app developed by the world’s largest online community of truck drivers, TruckerReport.com.
The app is designed specifically for truck drivers and offers turn-by-turn navigation and customized routing to avoid road restrictions no matter your truck’s specifications. Similar to Trucker Path, you can easily find the location of truck stops, weigh stations, parking spots and fuel along your route, and even download your map ahead of time for offline use.
Hammer’s maps also come with weather, traffic and truck restriction overlays. Additionally, the app constantly searches for alternate routes to get you to your destination on time.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android
Waze is one of the country’s most popular navigation apps due to its ability to offer fast and accurate updates on changing road conditions.
Constantly updated by drivers all around you, Waze offers an in-map display (with audio notifications) that can be customized to show a variety of updates along your route, including:
It also provides real-time traffic flow updates and alternate route suggestions based on those conditions to help you avoid delays.
Its navigation features and live updates are useful, but it’s important to note that Waze cannot be customized to provide truck-specific routing instructions like restricted roads or areas with low clearance.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android, Windows
There’s a reason that Google Maps is the most popular navigation app in the world.
It can provide real-time traffic updates, alternate route suggestions and accurate navigation to almost anywhere on the globe. Yet, its real value doesn’t lie in those features, but in its ability to instantly connect you with everything around your location.
With the push of a button, Google Maps can show you any restaurant, hospital, hotel, tourist attraction, or anything else you could think of to search for. Better yet, it can all be filtered by dozens of different criteria so you find what works best for you, every time. It even works for trucking-specific locations, like truck stops, fuel and weigh stations, and rest areas.
In a job that can take you to as many unfamiliar places as the trucking business, having the ability to instantly discover what’s around you is vital.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android
Other apps to consider: CoPilot GPS Navigation and Traffic, TruckMap, SmartTruckRoute2
It’s no secret that truck drivers spend A LOT of time on the road. Up to 14 hours a day in some cases.
Unless you prefer to sit in silence, that’s a lot of time to fill. And there are only so many times you can listen to your favorite songs or podcast episodes before you get sick of them.
That’s where audiobooks come in. Books, in general, are one of the best ways to immerse yourself in another world and learn new things. Obviously, you can’t sit down and read a physical copy while you’re coasting along the highway, but you can still get the same experience and the added benefit of entertaining yourself during a long road trip by listening to audiobooks.
So, in case you’ve already worn out your favorite playlists, or just need to mix up your audio entertainment, we’ve provided a list of some of the best audiobook apps to check out on your next trip and instructions on how you can get started.
OverDrive gives you access to a catalog of millions of titles from more than 30,000 publishers, all completely free! The only catch? You do need a library card.
OverDrive is a free service provided by public libraries all over the country, each with its own selection of audiobooks, ebooks and more available 24/7. While the titles offered are specific to each individual library, you can add multiple library cards to your OverDrive account and get access to selections from a variety of libraries.
Titles can be borrowed for up to three weeks and are automatically returned when the lending period ends, meaning no late fees. In case you don’t finish in time, you can also renew a title, assuming there are no holds on it.
Currently, you have two options available if you’re interested in taking advantage of this service. The OverDrive app is the classic version and is available on all smart devices (including Kindle and Windows). However, the OverDrive brand has also released a new, updated app called Libby.
Libby has the same collection of titles that the classic version does, but boasts an updated design and new interface to provide a better user experience. It also only works on Apple and Android devices. You can feel free to use whichever version you prefer when finding and listening to audiobooks with OverDrive.
Cost: Free (with a library card)
Platforms: Apple, Android, Windows; (Libby: Apple and Android only)
Note: A similar option to consider is Hoopla. Hoopla is also free to use with a library card and offers a fairly extensive catalog of audiobooks and other media (eBooks, TV shows, comics), with the added benefit of not having wait times or holds on certain titles. However, not all libraries offer Hoopla and it doesn’t typically carry the latest releases.
One of the most popular audiobook services out there, Audible is Amazon’s answer to your audiobook needs.
Audible offers a catalog of up to 550,000 titles (including Audible Originals, which are exclusive to the service), all of which can be downloaded for offline listening. While a subscription is not required to use Audible, it is recommended.
The app is free to download and can be used strictly as a digital bookstore and a library for your audiobook collection if that’s all you need. However, if you’d like to get access to additional perks, you have two subscription options to choose from.
Audible Plus subscribers get access to 11,000 titles, exclusive sales, and 30% off retail prices in Audible’s online store. If you upgrade to Audible Premium Plus, you can get access to the service’s full library of 550,000 titles and a credit for one free book every month, in addition to the sales and discounts offered in the Plus subscription.
Audible Plus is $7.95 per month while Audible Premium Plus is $14.95 per month. New users get one free credit for subscribing (Prime members get two) and you can cancel anytime and still retain full access to your digital library.
Cost: Free to download (Audible Plus $7.95/mo., Audible Premium Plus $14.95/mo.)
Platforms: Apple, Android, Windows
Downpour is another great option for audiobook listening and gives you the option to either purchase or rent its books.
Similar to Audible, you can use Downpour without a subscription to buy and store audiobooks online, or you can subscribe to get one free book every month and access to up to 70% off of Downpour’s book selection.
A unique feature of Downpour is that it gives its users the ability to rent a book instead of buying one. If you’d rather try a book before you buy, or simply don’t have any interest in building a digital book collection, Downpour is the perfect option. Rental periods are either 30 or 60 days, depending on the length of the book. additionally, you’ll have the option to purchase extensions of:
At $12.99 per month, Downpour’s subscription is cheaper than Audible. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t use your monthly credits on rentals, nor do you get a reduced sale price on books that you’ve rented.
Cost: Free to download ($12.99/mo.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Other apps to consider: Hoopla, Loyal Books, Scribd
Anybody who has been trucking for any amount of time knows that it’s extremely difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the job.
Truck drivers are required to remain seated for hours on end. Even when they’re not, it can be difficult to find a time or place to exercise. Living such a sedentary lifestyle also makes drivers more susceptible to weight gain and the chance of developing other health conditions.
It’s not just the lack of exercise either. When you spend that much time on the road, it can be difficult to eat mindfully and maintain a nutritious diet. The cheapest and easiest food options on the go are often some of the most unhealthy. It’s hard to shop or cook for yourself when you don’t have consistent access to a home kitchen
Despite all of that, it’s important to try to make changes to live a healthy lifestyle. Not just for your long-term health, but so that you can keep living and working in the present.
You’re probably not always going to have time to get a full two-hour workout in, but even setting aside 15 minutes each day while at a truck stop or on your break can make a huge difference. Below, we’ve put together a few apps designed to help you get moving, stay in shape, and even improve your diet a little bit too.
The Workout Trainer app is a great way to get started on your fitness journey.
It’s got thousands of free exercise programs centered around bodyweight fitness, so you don’t need access to a bunch of heavy equipment to use it. And for the purposes of this list, it even offers a customized program designed specifically for truckers.
The Active Trucker program is broken up into two phases and is designed to provide 15-minute workouts that cater specifically to the fitness needs of truck drivers.
Workout Trainer also has a social media element that drivers can use to add each other, compete, compare stats, or just leave words of encouragement.
The app is free to download and includes thousands of free exercise programs designed for people of all fitness levels. If you want the Active Trucker Program, each phase will run you $29.99. Alternatively, the app offers a Pro+ subscription for either $6.99 per month or $59.99 for the year that includes all premium programs (including Active Trucker) and more advanced workout programs led by expert trainers.
Cost: Free to download ($6.99/mo. or $59.99/yr.; Active Trucker Phase 1 & 2 for $29.99 each)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Created by truckers, for truckers, Iron Trucker is a free trucker-focused fitness app that provides a database of workouts that drivers can do anywhere, including at truck stops.
What makes this app unique is that all of its exercises and workouts are designed to be done with the help of your tractor-trailer. Each exercise even includes a visual guide as to how it should be done.
Additionally, the app includes a food log, which takes into account your age, height, and weight to set a daily calorie goal, as well as an exercise log to keep track of your progress.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android
MyFitnessPal is one of the most popular health and fitness apps on the market and is great for improving both your diet and exercise routine.
It gives you the ability to perform a number of actions, including:
According to the MyFitnessPal website, it’s like having a dietician, trainer and coach at your fingertips.
With the nutrition tracking function, you can either scan a barcode or search the app’s database of more than 14 million food items. Once you’ve found the item you’re looking for, you can view all of its nutrition information, like calories and macros (carbs, fat, protein), and see how it fits into the goals you’ve set for yourself.
MyFitnessPal also gives you access to more than 250 healthy food recipes and more than 150 workout programs with expert instruction from coaches and trainers.
In order to take advantage of all of the features listed, you have to pay a subscription fee of $9.99 per month or $49.99 for the year. However, you can always take advantage of the nutrition tracking function for free.
Cost: Free to download ($9.99/mo., $49.99/yr.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Let’s face it, we all know we should be exercising more. The issue is that if you don’t do it right, it’s easy to get bored, or worse, have it start to feel like work. That’s where Zombies, Run! comes in.
Zombies, Run! is a running app and audio adventure designed to add a little excitement to your workout and make you feel like you’re doing more than just exercise.
In the app, you play a survivor in the zombie apocalypse tasked with gathering supplies, rescuing other survivors, and defending one of the world’s last remaining outposts. The more you run, the more the story will unfold, but you’ll have to make sure you don’t get caught by the zombies that are chasing you.
You don’t need a ton of space or to be a marathon runner to use it either. Zombies, Run! can be played anywhere, including on a treadmill, and you can set it for walking, jogging or running.
The first four missions are free to play immediately, plus you’ll get an additional mission for free each week. If you really like it, or you get tired of playing the same missions over and over, you can also subscribe for $5.99 per month or $34.99 per year to get access to the app’s full catalog of more than 300 missions.
Cost: Free to download ($5.99/mo., $34.99/yr.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Other apps to consider: Rolling Strong, Freeletics Training Coach, Couch to 5K
Just like you have to plan your route around truck-restricted roads or low bridges, weather can be a huge factor in charting your route.
Bad weather means a higher likelihood of accidents and slowdowns, which means lost time. It’s also more dangerous, especially in a semi-truck or when pulling any type of tractor-trailer, making you more susceptible to slippery road conditions, high wind speeds and sudden stops.
Obviously, you’re never going to be able to avoid bad weather entirely, but being able to plan your trip around it can save you time and make life much easier.
Here are a few apps to help you plan your next trip and give you the ability to see what the weather will look like at every point along your route.
Drive Weather is one of the best apps out there for pre-trip planning and tracking live weather conditions along your route.
Its interactive maps give you the ability to compare different routes, adjust departure times, and add stops to see how different factors impact the weather at each point along a route. You can also check hourly and daily forecasts, including temperature, wind speed and visibility.
The free version of the app includes ads, provides a two-day forecast, and allows you to plan trips up to 900 miles. The paid version, which costs $9.99 per year, provides a seven-day forecast, the ability to compare routes and the option to plan trips with no mile limit.
Cost: Free to download ($9.99/yr.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
True to its name, Trucking Weather and Traffic is designed specifically for truck drivers.
It’s a free weather app that can assist drivers in pre-trip planning and provide real-time weather and traffic updates, and send drivers severe weather alerts along their route.
Trucking Weather and Traffic provides hourly and daily weather forecasts and includes two maps:
1. Traffic conditions: This will show you the severity of issues along your route, including:
2. Weather: This can be customized to show precipitation, wind speed, snowfall, etc., and overlays of storm tracks, hurricanes and lightning.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android
Unlike the other two options, there’s no way to actually plan your route in The Weather Channel app. However, it’s likely the most accurate of the three and is a great way to stay up to date on current forecasts throughout your trip.
The TWC app provides hourly and daily weather updates, including temperature, wind speed and visibility, in addition to a 10-day weather forecast. It also includes interactive maps with the latest Doppler radar data like rainfall and severe weather alerts.
Instead of tracking conditions throughout your drive, the TWC app is best for pre-trip planning and for checking for updates during your trip. The app and most of its features are free, however, you do have the option to purchase an ad-free version.
Cost: Free to download (In-app purchases $0.99-$29.99)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Other apps to consider: Weather Underground, AccuWeather, Storm Shield
If you’re an owner-operator, finding a reliable load board is essential.
Load boards can be a great way to find your first few loads, build contacts with direct shippers, and start earning money and experience. They’re not just for new drivers either. Even if you’re a seasoned vet, load boards are a great way to make extra money and make sure that you never have to deadhead again.
Most load boards apps are designed to help you find exactly what you need, whether it be freight for your specific trailer type, destination, ship date, or any number of things. These apps can help match you with a broker looking to move freight that aligns with your situation.
So the next time you’re on the lookout for new freight or a backhaul load, consider downloading one of these apps.
The DAT Load Board is the most popular load board app out there, posting 887,000 loads every day.
DAT Load Board gives you the ability to see up to 500 results at once, sorted by offer rate, and the ability to find freight that fits your needs no matter what type of trailer you’re pulling. You can also check broker reviews and credit scores, or even post your own truck so that brokers can call you.
And if you’ve already made a delivery through DAT, you can use the app’s ‘Get Me Home’ feature to automatically find loads for your return trip.
The app requires a subscription to use. You can choose from four membership options, ranging from $39.95 per month to $149 per month.
Cost: Free to download ($39.95/mo.-$149/mo.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Another app from the creators of Trucker Path, Truckloads & Freight offers free, unlimited access to 150,000 loads daily.
Truckloads offers freight for most trailer types and gives you the option to search for loads by broker credit score. You can also use its ‘Freight Finder’ feature to find backhaul loads for your return trip.
While the load board is free to view, additional information and other features do require a subscription. There are three membership options available, ranging from $19.99 per month ($199.99/yr.) to $89.99 per month ($899.99/yr.).
Cost: Free to download ($19.99/mo.-$89.99/mo.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
With Direct Freight, truckers have the ability to choose from more than 300,000 loads daily.
All loads are posted and updated in real-time, and like the other two apps, you can search for loads by a number of criteria, including:
You can also post your truck, review broker credit scores, and view days to pay directly from the app.
Direct Freight requires a subscription of $34.95 per month to use.
Platforms: Apple, Android
Cost: Free to download ($34.95/mo.)
Other options to consider: Trucker Tools, 123Loadboard, Doft
If you’re tired of relying on load boards and looking for dependable & steady loads, we’re looking to hire. We have dedicated, local, OTR, and regional positions across the U.S. Fill out our simple and quick application and one of our recruiters will reach out to you.
As if taking care of yourself wasn’t enough, you also have your truck to worry about on a daily basis.
Whether you’re stopping at weigh stations, making sure your truck is properly balanced, or on the lookout for fuel, there’s a lot that you have to think about when it comes to your vehicle.
Keeping up with all of it can be frustrating, not to mention cost you time and money. Thankfully, there are apps out there that can help you manage the finer points of trucking and give you fewer things to worry about when out on the road.
Weigh stations are a fact of life for truck drivers which is why it’s so important to make the experience as quick and painless as possible.
With Weigh My Truck by CAT Scale, you can weigh, pay and get your scale ticket all on your phone and without ever leaving your cab. Using your location, the app will automatically detect which scale you’re weighing on and can even detect reweigh eligibility. You can also pull up your scale ticket right from your phone and automatically email it to up to five email addresses, saving you time and effort.
Weigh My Truck is 100% free to download and doesn’t charge any additional fees to use. According to CAT Scale, users can save up to 20 minutes per weigh by using the app.
Cost: Free
Platforms: Apple, Android
Most trucking companies will pay for fuel themselves, or at the very least reimburse you for fillups. But if you’re an independent trucker, you may find yourself having to pay for your own fuel. And with diesel prices continuing to rise, that can add up quick.
With GasBuddy, you can find the cheapest fuel near you and save on every gallon. The app claims to save you a minimum of 2¢ per gallon, and up to 25¢ per gallon on every purchase made with GasBuddy’s free membership. You can also get fuel rewards by using GasBuddy’s cashback option when shopping certain brands.
The app works at 95% of gas stations in the United States and allows you to sort by:
Having these options can help you find the gas station that best meets your needs anywhere in the country.
You can also upgrade to the premium version for $9.99 per month and save a minimum of 20¢ per gallon on your first 50 gallons every month. You’ll also save at least 5¢ after that, up to 40¢ a gallon. With premium, you also get free 24-hour roadside assistance three times per year.
Cost: Free to download ($9.99/mo.)
Platforms: Apple, Android
In order to prevent fines and ensure that your truck is safe and legal to drive, it’s important to be able to quickly and easily adjust your truck’s axle-weight ratio.
Trucker’s Slide Calc is a free app that takes math and guesswork out of the equation, allowing you to easily and accurately identify which axle needs to be adjusted and by how much. It uses a computer algorithm to simulate your axle weights at each hole and then picks the best hole to adjust for the situation.
To start, you simply enter your axle weights (platform scale or individual axles) and the app will calculate how much each axle is over or under, including gross. Then, click the app’s suggestions and it’ll tell you where to slide.
You can also set an ‘allowable overage’ weight to help with calculations and allow more flexibility if eligible. But it’s important to note that at the time of this post, the app does not include a fifth-wheel option for trucks.
The base version of Trucker’s Slide Calc is free to use but you can also upgrade to the Plus version to remove ads and gain access to additional features.
Cost: Free to download ($0.99/mo.-$9.99/mo.; $24.99 permanent)
Platforms: Apple, Android
Other apps to consider: ParkMyRig, Find Truck Service, Truck Inspection and Maintenance App FleetRabbit
Now that you've got all the right apps, get the right job. With ABCO Transportation, you can find truck driving jobs that meet your driving needs, anywhere in the country.
ABCO offers industry-leading benefits, competitive pay ($67k+), and most of our fleet is made up of late-model trucks outfitted with the latest tech, including satellite radio and premium sound. You can get started by filling out our simple truck driving job application and start planning your next career move today.
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