Today, we’ll be talking about some of the best apps that every truck driver should have downloaded! These days, there’s an app for everything, which means there are plenty of apps out there that can make your life much easier while on the road.

Whether you’re new to the job, or maybe you’re a seasoned driver who just hasn’t ventured too much into technology, you may find these apps helpful when it comes to your lifestyle and career. If you’re interested in learning about these recommended apps, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.

Before we get into today’s topic, we would like to remind you not to use your phone while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) restricts the use of all hand-held devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Only hands-free devices are permitted. With that being said, do not use your cellphone while operating your vehicle– Keep your eyes on the road! Now, let’s get into these essential apps.

1. TruckMap

This free mobile app, made specifically for truck drivers, offers optimized GPS routes for commercial vehicles. TruckMap also offers turn-by-turn routing and navigation and can highlight nearby weigh stations, diesel fuel, overnight parking, and rest areas. Within the app, you can customize your truck’s height and weight, route around truck-forbidden roads and highways, and avoid tolls.

The app shows over 600,000 truck facilities, including Walmart, Pilot / Flying J, Love’s, and more. Drivers can also filter locations to find places with daytime or overnight parking, ATMs, restrooms, showers, laundry, and more. TruckMap also shows you local pinpoints within facilities, such as truck entrances and exits and loading docks. With a total of 4.7 stars from over 44,000 ratings, you may want to give TruckMap a try!

2. Pilot Flying J: myRewards Plus

This app, created by Pilot and Flying J, offers a rewards program made specifically for drivers. It helps you save time and money every time you stop at a Pilot or Flying J truck stop and offers exclusive app features and offers. You can earn up to 4 points per gallon, and these points can later be redeemed for parking, showers, food, and drinks.

The mobile fueling feature makes the fueling process as touch-free as possible. You can start the diesel pump right from your phone. You can add your preferred card for payment and save it for future use. This is a great feature for extremely hot days, frigid cold nights, or any time you’re simply in a hurry.

The app also has a feature that helps you plan your route, find Pilot and Flying J locations, view fuel prices, and more. You can also reserve a shower right from your cab using the app! The app will send you a notification when your shower is ready, so you don’t have to wait in the store if you don’t want to. If that’s not enough, this app also allows you to reserve parking spaces directly from the app, so you can be assured you have a spot to rest. 

3. Trucker Path

Similar to the first app we discussed, Trucker Path is another one of the many apps designed for truck drivers that helps you find the closest truck stop, available parking, weigh station, fuel stops, and more. The app also offers weather alerts and lets you access real-time traffic conditions. You can also find helpful information and reviews from other truck drivers for over 40,000 truck stops across the United States and Canada.

Trucker Path allows you to plan multi-day trips in advance, and also provides custom routes based on your vehicle’s dimensions, so that you can avoid low overpasses and bridges. It’s free to use, but you could update to the premium version if desired. The premium version provides arrival times, and weigh station status predictions, among other features

4. GasBuddy

GasBuddy is a free app that helps you find fuel stations across the country and view gas prices. According to their website, GasBuddy has helped drivers save more than $3 billion by providing real-time gas price information. GasBuddy also has a feature that lets you know when you are wasting fuel. Through the app, you can compare fuel prices at over 15,000 stations to get the best deal.

You will also receive alerts when the price of diesel is about to increase, so you can plan ahead and fill up before the price goes up. It also offers a cashback rewards system and a Pay with GasBuddy payments card that offers cents-off per gallon, if you are interested. The app also includes a trip cost calculator, station outage tracker,  and a log to track your fuel purchases. 

5. The Weather Channel

When you’re on the road, the weather can be unpredictable. Weather conditions can significantly impact your route, affect your ability to drive, and change your estimated arrival time. The Weather Channel app provides accurate weather updates, no matter where you are! You can track daily forecasts, receive live radar updates, storm alerts, and more.

The app can warn you ahead of time when there are severe storms, heavy rain, heat waves, or other extreme weather. This app can help you see how upcoming weather will affect your day. With The Weather Channel app, you can be prepared for any type of weather along your route. 

6. Trucker Tools

The Trucker Tools app is an all-in-one resource that helps with routing, fuel, parking, rest areas, weight scales, and more. It provides information like gas prices and truck stop amenities, as well as load tracking and freight matching. Trucker Tools offers over 17 tools and features to help you easily plan your trip, including a truck stop guide and a routine and fuel optimizer.

You can easily find nearby rest areas, Walmart locations, and medical care while using this app! New to the app is the Driver Loyalty Rewards Program, which lets drivers earn points from achieving milestones and building repeat business with preferred brokers. The points can then be redeemed for gift cards at over 200 U.S. retailers. 

As you can see, these are just a few of the many apps out there that can be useful for commercial truck drivers. What apps do you recommend as a truck driver? Let us know!

In our last blog, we discussed everything you need to know about trucking route planning. A well-planned trip is not only profitable, but also eases your stress level and increases your comfort and peace of mind. When you know exactly where you’re going and what you’re doing, you’re bound to feel more confident and relaxed. If you are interested in learning more about trucking route planning, check out our last post!

We hope you found this article informative, and we hope to see you back on the blog soon for more tips and insight on topics involving truck drivers. If you are currently seeking new opportunities in the commercial trucking industry, we are always interested in adding new talent to our team! Visit our opportunities page to learn more about our requirements and apply to one of our open positions. Thank you for reading!