17 Best Apps for Truckers On & Off the Road in 2023

September 2, 2023

These days, it seems like there are countless trucking apps designed to make drivers’ personal and professional lives more seamless. Because of the endless options, it can feel overwhelming to choose the apps that best suit your unique needs without wasting precious time and money.

So how can truckers guarantee they have the best apps — both on and off the road — to make their days more efficient, productive and seamless? In this article we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the most useful apps for truckers across several key categories, starting with how and why we’ve made our picks.

Table of Contents

Selection Criteria

Let’s look at the way we evaluated the available apps and found the best of the best for truckers. For each of the covered categories, we’ve used several essential criteria for measurement:

Ratings – The Apple Store and Google Play store offer ratings that show whether truckers (and other users) like an app or not. They also list the number of downloads each app has received to help gauge its overall popularity.
Relevance – Not every app included in this list is unique to truckers, but we only selected apps that could positively contribute to truckers’ daily lives.
Ease of use – We know that only 9% of users continue using an app if it’s hard to navigate, so we took ease of use into account as one of our top selection criteria.
Price – Only some of the trucker apps on this list are free to use. However, we’ve considered the cost of each app compared to its features, as well as the features and prices of comparable apps, to make sure our selections will help truckers get the best bang for their buck.
Available customer support – If something stops working, truckers need a customer support team to help them troubleshoot — especially if they’re on the road. In comparing apps, we identified ones with efficient, effective support teams.

Best Trucking Apps to Have – By Category

Here’s a list of 17 apps truckers on the road are raving about.

Best All-Encompassing Trucker App

While many types of apps benefit drivers on the road, not many were made for truckers and their unique needs. There is one stand-out app that most agree is the best all-encompassing trucker app to support their daily work, and that is:

Trucker Path

The Trucker Path app enables truckers to holistically plan out their travel days for a more productive, enjoyable and cost-friendly journey. It offers features for mapping and planning trips prior to departure, comparing gas prices at different fueling locations, finding overnight parking locations, identifying stops with truck clearance, avoiding low bridges and even recording hours of service.

Perhaps the most appealing quality of Trucker Path is its extensive community of users, as more than 800,000 truckers in North America utilize the app. Beyond its advertised functionalities, users can also connect and chat with one another, find and apply for trucking jobs, and find trucks for sale.

Trucker Path does have its shortcomings though, as its GPS technology is not nearly as advanced or accurate as other routing apps. And while the app is free to download on both the Apple Store and Google Play, its most helpful features require a membership subscription (ranging from $1.99 per month to $29.99 per month) to unlock.

Best Truck Routing and Navigation Apps

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Since the majority of a trucker’s profession involves driving from point A to point B, they need a reliable method to view, plan and update their routes accordingly. There are a variety of routing apps available, and while not necessarily branded as a truck map app specifically, each comes with unique features that can support a trucker’s drive.

Trucker Tools

More than just a routing app, Trucker Tools helps users plan the most efficient, safest route possible while on the road — and was specifically created for truckers. It’s free on the Apple Store and Google Play, and doesn’t require a monthly subscription to access features like checking for fuel prices in real-time, locating truck stops, tracking loads and more.

The Trucker Tools app offers turn-by-turn directions to help truckers get to their destination as quickly as possible. It can also give you an estimate of the amount of fuel needed to complete a drive, as well as the price of that gas based on recommended fuel stops, to help better account for both the time and costs associated with your travel.

Google Maps

It’s no wonder Google Maps is so widely used by travelers all over the world, including truckers, as it offers a wide array of extensive features to optimize your drive. The app makes it easy for truckers to view their route via satellite or street perspective, and provides real-time updates to routes based on traffic, construction, accidents and other changes. It’s also free on both Google Play and the Apple Store, and is an excellent choice for ensuring safety, as it offers voice assistance directions to keep the driver’s eyes on the road.

While Google Maps is, in general, a great routing tool, it wasn’t designed as a trucking app specifically. This means that while you can search for things around your current location, or add stops to your route, it won’t automatically surface things like recommended overnight truck stops, low bridges to avoid or the best diesel fueling stations. If you want features like these, you’ll need to download additional trucker apps.

Waze

Waze has risen in popularity as a user favorite over the last decade, with roughly 140 million active users today. It’s a crowdsourced navigation app: users contribute live updates that could impact traffic like road work, gas prices, police activity and more to help others get to their destinations faster. The app collects and uses this data to provide up-to-date routes that help drivers navigate around potential travel obstacles.

While the Waze community extends far beyond just truckers, it’s a helpful app for truck drivers who desire the quickest route with some additional information for the journey. Plus, it’s free to download and use on both the Apple Store and Google Play. However, keep in mind that like Google Maps, this app does not offer trucker-specific tips like truck stop suggestions, vehicle restrictions or truck routes.

Best Trucker Fuel App

Fuel is, of course, a vital component of a trucker’s work; the ability to find the best, most cost-effective stops for fuel is crucial for a seamless drive. There are lots of fueling apps to assist truckers, but one rises above the rest according to most professional truck drivers.

GasBuddy

GasBuddy is an excellent (and free!) option for truckers who need to find the cheapest fuel options on their routes. The app, available on the Apple Store and Google Play, includes an enormous database of more than 150,000 fuel stations across North America. It can even alert users when the price of gas is about to increase, which helps them plan for price changes in advance.

The app also collects and monitors truckers’ driving data to help them make smarter fueling decisions. Plus, it regularly offers cost-saving gas coupons to users who make retail purchases with their GasBuddy cards or apps.

The GasBuddy app can also help truckers find fuel stations with showers or food, but its capabilities don’t extend into routing, planning or communicating with other drivers. It also won’t discover details around weigh stations or bridge heights, so truckers will need other tools for that functionality.

Best Preclearance App

As a general rule of thumb, it’s illegal for truckers to bypass weigh stations when they’re due for inspection. By using a preclearance app, drivers can get around this time-consuming, pesky task without getting into trouble or breaking the law. Here are our top three picks for the best preclearance apps, based on trucker reviews.

Drivewyze

The Drivewyze app uses an extensive network of more than 700 sites across North America to allow users to bypass weigh stations along their routes. When integrated with a bypass transponder, Drivewzye alerts the user to inspection sites and weigh stations that can be bypassed ahead of time thanks to the app, so they can continue to drive without stopping.

The app, which you can download via the Apple Store or Google Play, requires a $17.99 monthly subscription fee — but the price may be well worth it when you consider the time and fuel you save bypassing inspections.

Weigh My Truck

Leaving your truck to weigh your vehicle, pay the fee and obtain a receipt frustrates many drivers. Weigh My Truck allows you to spend more time on the road with features that automatically identify the CAT scale you’re visiting, and allow you to weigh your vehicle, pay the fee and receive an email receipt without even leaving the truck.

It’s a convenient, free tool that’s available for download on both Google Play and the Apple Store.

Prepass

Like Drivewyze, the Prepass app helps truckers legally bypass weigh stations using preclearance functionality. The app integrates with your transponder and Advanced Vehicle Identification (AVI), so you can continue driving without interruption.

While the app is free to download on Google Play and the Apple Store, it does require a paid subscription at $17.95 per month to access its main features. Also, the Prepass network is only available in 42 US states, so be sure to research its availability before subscribing.

Best Weather App

We sometimes ignore the significance of weather on driving, but inclement conditions can make for a more challenging and dangerous job as a trucker. Professional truck drivers need reliable, up-to-date weather information to properly plan their routes and arrive at their destinations safely and on-time, which makes choosing the best weather app essential.

The Weather Channel App

While there are numerous weather apps, The Weather Channel offers features that outperform alternatives. Truckers can use this tool to access daily forecasts, receive live radar updates and to predict precipitation in multiple areas simultaneously. Perhaps the best part of this specific app is that truck drivers can pick and choose the exact information they want, how they get it and even how it looks; which ensures both flexibility and a great user experience on the road.

The basic Weather Channel app is free on the Apple Store and Google Play, but paid subscriptions begin at $9.99 per year and offer removed ads, extended details, future radars and lightning maps for greater distances.

Best Entertainment Apps

While truck driving is hard work, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun while doing it. In fact, audio entertainment apps provide a fun, hands-free method for keeping drivers awake, attentive and safe while on the road.

Spotify

Spotify is a digital podcast and music platform that allows users to access content from all over the world, regardless of location. The vast Spotify library includes songs, podcasts and more to help keep truckers (and all types of drivers) entertained for hours.

The streaming service offers a simplified “driving mode” interface for safety, and even recommends new content based on frequent listens, so truckers can discover more content to love while driving.

The widely-used app is available to download for free on the Apple Store and Google Play, but streaming subscription plans start at $10.99 per month for those who want to download content, listen without ads and skip an unlimited number of songs.

Audible

Audible is a great option for truckers looking to learn or read as they drive. The membership service provides an unmatched selection of audiobooks, podcasts and radio content that users can download onto their mobile devices.

Subscriptions start at $7.95 per month and even allows you to download content to listen to offline; so you won’t miss a beat, regardless of where you’re driving. The Audible app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.

Scribd

Scribd (pronounced “Scribbed”) is a cheaper alternative to Audible, and was voted “Best Overall Ebook Service” by Wired Magazine in 2022. It has an expansive library, including audiobooks and podcasts for on-the-road listening, but also gives drivers access to a massive catalog of e-books, magazines and documents to read when they’re off the road.

You can sync your progress across your devices, and download books for reading offline. Plus, subscriptions come with extra perks, like the bundle with Curiosity Stream, a platform that features thousands of documentaries.

The audio quality of Scribd may not always match Audible’s, but the app does include ebooks and magazines that aren’t available on Audible. Plus, subscribing to Scribd over Audible will save truckers $29.50 per year.

Best Wellness & Fitness Apps for Drivers

Maintaining health and wellness can feel like an uphill battle for truckers, as they spend the majority of their time sitting in their vehicles. At the end of a shift, getting in those 30-minutes of expert-recommended exercise or finding a healthy meal can be challenging; but apps can help keep you on track.

MyFitnessPal

As a comprehensive nutrition and calorie counting app, MyFitnessPal can help truckers track what they eat, monitor their progress, reach their dietary goals and ensure they’re getting all the necessary nutrients to keep them healthy. The free version of the app (downloadable on Google Play and the Apple Store) allows users to track their nutrition, weight and exercise. The premium version, which costs $9.99 per month, enables much more: Features for barcode and meal scanning, macro tracking, and guided meal and workout plans and even food comparisons.

The MyFitnessPal app is a great option for truckers who want to remain accountable to their health and fitness goals without the hassle of manually breaking down what they’re consuming and how they’re moving. It’s easy to use, integrates with other wellness apps and helps truckers become more mindful about their habits.

Rolling Strong

Much more than a food and activity tracker, the Rolling Strong app helps truckers build and maintain healthy habits both physically and mentally. Because driving professionally can be isolating and tiresome, the app connects truckers while on the road. It’s geared toward the transportation industry and focuses on hydration, nutrition, fitness, wellbeing and sleep as key pillars to optimal health.

Rolling Strong even gamifies its services and includes a social aspect to using the app, so you can stay motivated and make healthy life choices while on the road. The app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play, and subscriptions start at just $4.99 per month.

Best Apps for Planning Trips

Planning ahead of time is essential for making any road trip as efficient and enjoyable as possible. The same concept holds true for truckers, who must map out their journey, estimate costs and plan for stops with the added complexity of traveling by commercial truck. Thus, they need a robust app that can help them make the most out of each trip without requiring hours of preparation.

Love’s Connect

The Love’s Connect app helps you plan your trip around Love’s many travel stops and stores across the country. Enter your destination points and map your route based on interesting Love’s stops along the way. You can filter your trips by gas, restaurants and other amenities; view real-time fuel prices; save on mobile deals; reserve a shower and even order food ahead of time.

Digital receipts and roadside assistance requests help make the trips even easier, as you always have access to what you’ve spent. Plus, the app is free to download on the Apple Store and Google Play, which makes it a favorite among truckers who are looking to save as they plan their next trip.

Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J is the largest travel center network in North America, and its mobile app is specifically tailored for professional drivers. As a result of a trucker survey, the company found that most drivers would love a free shower if possible; then delivered that wish with their unique app. Members can receive a free daily shower at Pilot Flying J locations when they redeem re-fueling points, and can reserve showers and parking spots to save time and better plan ahead.

The app also offers users perks and benefits every time they stop at one of the company’s many locations, including coffee and food deals and fuel savings. Even better, truckers can view available food, showers, parking spots, and assistance services at individual locations before arriving; you’ll never waste time waiting around. And just like the Love’s Connect app, Pilot Flying J is free to download and use from Google Play and the Apple Store.

Download the Engine App for a Better Trucking Experience

There are a whole host of sophisticated apps that truckers can choose from to mitigate their daily challenges. Fueling, entertainment, routing, planning are all key considerations when evaluating these apps for usefulness and impact; but truckers should also look beyond their time on the road when selecting the best apps to support their professional and personal lives.

The Engine app offers a massive inventory of hotel partners worldwide, with more options in remote places than online travel agencies can offer. Plus, with special filters like truck parking and savings of up to 60% over public rates, the app is an excellent option for truckers who need fast, seamless, cost-effective and often last-minute access to hotel rooms while on the road.

Related: Learn more about how to find the right hotel booking tool for your transportation company’s needs.

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* Google and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC and this blog is not endorsed by or affiliated with Google in any way. More info here.

Article written by

Sara Kern

Sara Kern is a Copywriter at Engine. She worked as a writer in the tech and apparel industries for almost a decade before joining Engine, but also has experience coordinating business travel for fast-moving nonprofits, so she knows firsthand how hard it can be.