Long hours behind the wheel, unpredictable weather, and the constant need to stay connected with clients can create an overwhelming workload. Adding to these obstacles, rising fuel costs and the need for improved safety measures are everyday concerns that can weigh heavily on truckers.
But what if there was a way to streamline these daily tasks to make your job easier and more efficient? The right apps can be your lifeline. These programs are available for iOS and Android users, so if you’re looking for seamless navigation, help with compliance, or ways to stay healthy and entertained on the road, our guide is here to help.
Table of contents
- The Best Navigation Apps for Truck Drivers
- The Best Fuel, Parking & Weigh Station Apps for Truck Drivers
- The Best Weather Apps for Truck Drivers
- The Best Business & Document Management App for Truck Drivers
- The Best Connectivity & Entertainment Apps for Truck Drivers
- The Best Health & Wellness App for Truck Drivers
The Best Navigation Apps for Truck Drivers
Getting from point A to point B is a big part of a trucker’s job, so the best truck GPS app should help you avoid low bridges, weight-restricted roads, or roads with hazardous materials. Here are some navigation apps for truck drivers that are worth checking out:
CoPilot GPS
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Requires a subscription
Key Features: Truck-Specific Navigation, Offline Maps, Fleet-Ready Solutions
CoPilot is designed with professional truck drivers in mind and provides accurate and reliable navigation based on the vehicle’s dimensions, which helps you avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted areas. The tool also provides real time traffic updates to help you reroute in the event of potential delivery delays, fuel-efficient routing to minimize costs, and offline maps for use in areas without internet connectivity.
Trucker Path
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free and paid subscription plans
Key Features: Real-Time Parking Availability, Weigh Station Status, Comprehensive Trip Planning
Trucker Path lets you find truck stops and weigh stations and compare fuel prices and parking availability in real time. The app offers precise routes that avoid truck-restricted roads. Trucker Path saves time and ensures you remain compliant with route regulations. With millions of drivers using it, the application also provides community-driven updates, making it a reliable source of information.
Sygic Truck and Caravan GPS Navigation
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: One-time purchase with optional paid upgrades
Key Features: Custom Routing, Offline Maps, Safety and Compliance Features
This app is known for its comprehensive mapping services that specifically cater to trucks. It offers turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance and offline maps for areas without internet connectivity. Like CoPilot, Sygic keeps in mind vehicle parameters like height, weight, and cargo type, helping you avoid restricted routes.
Waze Navigation and Live Traffic
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free
Key Features: Community-Sourced Traffic Data, Integrated Pit Stop Planning, Alerts for Road Hazards and Police Presence
Waze’s strength lies in its community-driven updates, which allow you to receive real-time information from fellow motorists about traffic jams, police presence, road hazards, and accidents. This crowdsourced approach helps truckers avoid slowdowns in urban areas where road closures and traffic jams can impact delivery schedules. Although it doesn’t offer truck-specific routing, many truck drivers use the app as a secondary tool alongside dedicated trucking programs to stay updated on road conditions.
The Best Fuel, Parking & Weigh Station Apps for Truck Drivers
Managing your time and expenses on the road is critical, and that includes finding the best fuel prices, available truck parking, and the nearest weigh station. Using dedicated apps for these tasks can save you significant money and eliminate time-consuming guesswork. Here are the must-have fuel, parking, and weigh station apps to make your job easier:
Mudflap
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free
Key Features: Significant Fuel Discounts, Extensive Truck Stop Network, Simple and Secure Payments
The Mudflap app is an essential tool for any truck driver looking to significantly lower their fuel costs, offering substantial, instant discounts on diesel without any fees or minimums. It works across a vast network of independent and regional truck stops, ensuring you can find savings on almost any route you travel. By simply using the app to get a fuel code, you can easily pay at the pump and see immediate reductions in your biggest operating expense.
GasBuddy
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free
Key Features: Fuel Finder, Trip Planner
For truck drivers, managing fuel costs is a critical part of the job, and the GasBuddy app is a powerful tool for maximizing your savings on every fill-up. It uses a real-time map to help you find the cheapest diesel prices at stations along your route, ensuring you never overpay. Combined with their payment program for additional discounts, GasBuddy makes it easy to reduce your biggest expense and boost your bottom line.
Weigh My Truck
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free
Key Features: Weigh and Pay From Your Cab, Electronic Weigh Tickets, Secure Payment Integration
The Weigh My Truck app from CAT Scale is designed to get you through the weigh station and back on the road faster. It allows you to pay for and complete your weigh-in directly from your smartphone, eliminating the need to leave your cab and wait in line. Once you’re done, an official, legal weigh ticket is emailed directly to you and anyone else you choose, streamlining your record-keeping process.
DAT Load Board
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Monthly subscription
Key Features: Largest Load Marketplace, Powerful Rate and Negotiation Tools, Broker Vetting and Business Insights
For owner-operators and carriers, the DAT Load Board is the industry’s top tool for finding profitable freight and keeping your business moving. It provides unparalleled access to the largest on-demand load marketplace, allowing you to find the right load for your truck no matter where you are. With powerful features like real-time market rate data and broker credit scores, it empowers you to negotiate with confidence and partner with reliable companies.
The Best Weather Apps for Truck Drivers
Having spent enough time on the road, you know how rapidly weather conditions can change, so a reliable tool is essential for safety. Here are the best weather apps for truck drivers:
The Weather Channel
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Key Features: Advanced Weather Radar, Severe Weather Alerts, Long-Range Forecasting
The Weather Channel app provides real-time updates and improved storm tracking with detailed hourly, daily, and weekly forecasts to help you plan your trip. Its real-time alerts for severe weather are especially useful if you need to make quick decisions about whether to continue driving or pull over. The Weather Channel app also offers radar maps that allow you to visualize storms and other weather events, giving you a better idea of what to expect along your route.
AccuWeather
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Key Features: Minute-by-Minute Precipitation Forecasts, Advanced Weather Radar, Severe Weather Alerts, Long-Range and Winter-Specific Forecasts
AccuWeather is known for its Minutecast® feature, which provides minute-by-minute updates on precipitation so you’ll know exactly when rain, snow, or ice will start and stop in your location. This level of detail is incredibly helpful if you need to adjust your speed or find a safe place to stop during a storm. The app also provides detailed forecasts that go beyond just temperature and precipitation — you’ll have access to wind speed, UV index, and humidity levels.
Windy
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Key Features: Detailed Wind Forecast, Multiple Forecast Models, Hyperlocal Weather Data
Windy is a specialized app that focuses on wind patterns and provides detailed wind forecasts. The platform lets you visualize wind directions and speed, helping you prepare for strong gusts or adjust your course to avoid high-wind areas. Windy is an essential tool for drivers who often travel through regions with unpredictable winds, such as the Midwest. The software’s data, such as temperature and precipitation, make it a comprehensive option for weather-conscious drivers.
Clime: NOAA Weather Radar
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Key Features: Real-Time Interactive Radar, 24-Hour Precipitation Forecast Map, Governmental Severe Weather Alerts
The Clime: NOAA Weather Radar app pulls data directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and provides access to real-time alerts and detailed forecasts. The platform’s radar feature is helpful if you need to see weather patterns as they develop so you can make informed decisions about your route. The software is free, but in-app purchases are available for additional features like hurricane forecasts, which can help you navigate storm-prone regions.
The Best Business & Document Management App for Truck Drivers
BigRoad ELD
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Monthly subscription
Key Features: Effortless Compliance, Real-Time Fleet Management, Built-in Driver Tools
Say goodbye to paper logbooks and compliance headaches with the BigRoad ELD app, one of the most driver-friendly electronic logging solutions available. It simplifies tracking your Hours of Service (HOS) and ensures you’re always prepared for inspections with clean, compliant reports. With additional features like document scanning and two-way messaging, it’s a powerful tool to make your daily operations smoother and more efficient.
The Best Connectivity & Entertainment Apps for Truck Drivers
Your truck is your office and your home on the move, making reliable tools for communication, dealer support, and relaxation essential. The right apps can bridge the distance between family and friends and provide a welcome escape during your downtime. Here are the top applications for staying in touch and entertained, no matter where the road takes you.
Kenworth Essentials App
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free
Key Features: Dealer Locator, Access to Truck Information, Kenworth news and Promotions
The Kenworth Essentials app provides drivers with real-time updates on Kenworth trucks, nearby dealerships, and truck maintenance information. It also offers detailed truck specifications and service tools to help drivers troubleshoot on the road. This program is indispensable if you’re driving a Kenworth truck because it gives you all the information you need at your fingertips.
Audible
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Monthly/annual subscription with a free trial
Key Features: Vast Library of Audio Content, Offline Listening, Car Mode and Custom Controls
Long stretches on the road can feel monotonous, but Audible transforms your cab into an endless library of entertainment and knowledge. This app provides access to the world’s largest selection of audiobooks, original podcasts, and more, keeping your mind engaged and the miles flying by. With the ability to download content for offline listening, you’ll always have something captivating to hear, no matter where your route takes you.
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Key Features: Document and Photo Sharing, High Quality Voice and Video Calls, Group Chats
Long hours on the road can be isolating, making regular communication with loved ones essential for mental health. WhatsApp allows you to stay connected with family, friends, and clients while on the road. It supports both one-on-one and group video calls and text messaging, voice calls, and file sharing.
TuneIn
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with optional paid subscription
Key Features: Live AM/FM Radio, Live Sports Coverage, Massive Library of Audio Content
TuneIn offers a vast selection of live radio, podcasts, and music stations to make long stretches of highway more enjoyable. You’ll have access to news, talk shows, and sports to keep you informed and entertained. The library includes plenty of free content to keep you occupied, but premium upgrades are available if you want to remove ads.
The Best Health & Wellness App for Truck Drivers
Maintaining your health on the road is a top priority, but it comes with unique challenges, from long hours sitting to irregular meal schedules. Taking proactive steps to manage your physical and mental well-being is essential for a sustainable career. Here are the best health and wellness apps to help you stay fit, hydrated, and mentally sharp while you’re on the job:
MyFitnessPal
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with optional paid subscription and in-app purchases
Key Features: Calorie and Nutrient Tracking, Exercise Logging, Food Database and Barcode Scanner
MyFitnessPal is a comprehensive fitness and nutrition app that helps you track your daily food intake, exercise routine, and overall health. You’ll have access to an extensive database and can log meals manually or by scanning barcodes, simplifying the process of staying on top of calories, macros, and nutrient intake.
Headspace
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Monthly/annual subscription with a free trial
Key Features: Guided Meditations and Mindfulness, Sleep Aids, Mental Health Support
The life of a truck driver often involves high-stress situations and long, solitary hours that can take a toll on your mental well-being. Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app that can help you de-stress, improve your focus on the road, and get a more restful sleep during your downtime. With hundreds of guided meditations, sleep sounds, and exercises, it’s a valuable tool for maintaining your mental health while you’re away from home.
Hydro Coach
Download: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Price: Free with optional paid subscription
Key Features: Personalized Hydration Plan, Intelligent Reminders, Detailed Progress Tracking
Staying hydrated is crucial for staying alert and healthy on the road, but it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on deadlines and traffic. Hydro Coach acts as your personal hydration assistant, calculating your specific daily water needs and sending you timely reminders to drink up. This helps you avoid dehydration, maintain concentration, and improve your overall well-being during long hauls.
Improve Your Journey With Inland and the Kenworth Essentials App
Having the right tools and resources at your fingertips is vital for a comfortable trip. That’s why Inland, with over 70 years of experience, offers The World’s Best® lineup of Kenworth trucks equipped with cutting-edge technology to make your job easier, safer, and more comfortable.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Kenworth Essentials app is the perfect companion to your Kenworth truck because it gives you instant access to the parts catalog and dealer locations right from your phone. Find your nearest dealer today and discover the best solutions for your needs.
