Top Apps for Truck Drivers

From finding the best route to monitoring fuel prices, there is a range of technology applications that are aiding professional drivers and helping them determine where to stop.
More
 

The apps drivers turn to for information can make their life easier out on the road, but the growing number of apps also means that there are more and more external sources influencing where drivers stop. Here are a handful of apps that are directing drivers’ routes, fueling locations and additional stops. 

An All-In-One App
Overdrive’s Trucker Tools app offers 19 different tools within one app, including a truckstop locator that highlights all of the amenities a truckstop offers, a truck wash locator, a scale locator, routing capabilities, weather and fuel prices that are based on actual transactions rather than driver input. The app also allows drivers to look for medical examiners, which the app pulls from the FMCSA’s medical examiner database. More than 320,000 drivers use the app, and truckstop operators can visit truckstopguide.com to see how their location is listed and update their information.

GPS Apps
GPS apps are useful for passenger and professional drivers alike. For Class 8 drivers, the right apps can help them calculate routes based on vehicle dimensions and load contents, which can help drivers avoid fines, wasted time and out-of-route miles, but it is important for drivers to find applications that are designed specifically for the heavy-duty trucking sector. SmartTruckRoute and CoPilot are designed for truckers. The viaMichelin app helps passenger drivers find their way.

Overnight Parking Apps
Several apps can help drivers find a place to rest. Road Breakers consolidates information on the locations of truckstops, rest areas and truck-friendly businesses. The TravelCenters of America/Petro Stopping Centers app TruckSmart features a plan-to-park function that shares space availability with drivers. The MyDAT Trucker Services app serves as an amenities directory and displays near by truckstops, rest stops, truck-friendly hotels, Walmarts, CAT Scale locations and weigh stations. The Trucker Path app has about 100,000 active users and helps drivers find truckstops and weigh stations. Thermo King recently released its app that guides drivers to overnight, paid parking in 2,250 stalls at Thermo King dealers, whether or not the driver is a Thermo King user.

Fuel Price Apps
Gas Buddy is a free app that helps users find cheaper fuel prices in their area. The FleetAdvance Mobile app from fuel-card provider Comdata lets its customers search by their current location to find the lowest prices along their routes. The MyDAT Trucker Services provides diesel prices, which are updated two to three times a day, and can direct users to nearby loads.

Scale Apps
With the Weigh My Truck app from CAT Scale Co., drivers can visit a scale, weigh and receive their information via the app without ever having to open their door or roll down their window. They can also use the Scale Locator app to find the nearest scale.

Truck And Tire Service Apps
Drivers needing tire service can use the Bridgestone Everywhere Network mobile app that connects drivers with dealers or truckstops.

Those needing roadside service can push a button on the TA/Petro TruckSmart app, which will automatically relay the driver’s latitude and longitude. The Find Truck Service & Stops app allows users to search for truck repair, towing service and truck parts from their phone.

Data Transmission App
More and more drivers are able to take care of the business end of their operations from the cab of their truck. The CamScanner app lets drivers use their phones as a scanner. The mobile app from Sylectus offers image capture and indexing capabilities that remove the need for paper records and provide automated, near real-time tracking of drivers and loads. The Transflo Mobile+ app provides access to delivery documents, load tendering, and claim and accident submissions along with two-way messaging so carriers and drivers can send and receive messages along with real-time information and updates.

Electronic Logging Apps
Smartphones and the apps that run on them can automate what were once paper-based tasks and give drivers more legal driving time each day. A growing number of drivers are turning to electronic logging apps and logs, such as BigRoad, XRS and TomTom Telematics.

Weigh Station Bypass App
The Drivewyze PreClear Bypass app can save drivers time by minimizing stops at weigh stations with bypasses they receive based on the carrier’s safety score. Drivewyze also offers a free app that provides a heads up as drivers near a weigh station.

Subscribe to Updates

NATSO provides a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the travelling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.