You're driving through an unfamiliar city. Your GPS takes you under a 13'6" bridge. You're 13'10". You hear the scrape. $15,000 in roof damage.
Your regular GPS doesn't know truck restrictions.
You're looking for parking at 9 PM. You drive to 3 truck stops. All full. You waste an hour and burn $30 in diesel circling lots.
You don't have a parking app.
You fuel up at a Pilot for $3.85/gallon. There's a Love's 5 miles away selling diesel for $3.62/gallon. You overpaid $28 on that fill-up.
You don't have a fuel app.
Here's the truth: The right apps save you thousands per year in fuel, prevent damage from wrong routes, find parking faster, and manage your business efficiently.
Here are the essential apps every trucker needs in 2026, organized by category, with honest assessments of which are worth the money and which are free.
Navigation Apps (Truck-Specific GPS)
Why Regular GPS Doesn't Work
Problems with Google Maps/Apple Maps for trucks:
- Doesn't account for truck height, weight, length
- Routes you on parkways (commercial vehicles prohibited)
- Takes you through low bridges
- Sends you down residential streets (weight restrictions)
- Doesn't warn about sharp turns or steep grades
The cost of using regular GPS:
- Bridge strikes: $10,000-$50,000 damage
- Tickets for wrong routes: $200-$500
- Getting stuck: Tow bill $1,000-$3,000
- Wasted time and fuel
You need truck-specific navigation.
Trucker Path (Best Overall)
Rating: 4.7/5 stars Cost: $9.99/month or $99/year (7-day free trial) Platforms: iOS and Android
From industry reviews: "Trucker Path is rated as the best overall app with routing, parking, and fuel info. Used by more than 1,000,000 truck drivers."
Key features:
- Truck-specific GPS navigation (avoids low bridges, weight restrictions)
- Real-time traffic alerts
- Weather and hazard alerts
- Parking availability at truck stops (crowdsourced data)
- Fuel prices comparison
- Weigh station status
- Trip planning
What makes it worth paying for:
- Routes to truck entrances (not customer car parking)
- 7-day parking history (see when spots typically fill up)
- Saves you from bridge strikes and wrong routes
- One app for navigation + parking + fuel
From TruckersReport forum:
"Trucker Path routes to truck entrances, includes truck stop parking prediction and 7-day history."
Downsides:
- Monthly subscription ($120/year)
- Battery drain (uses GPS constantly)
- Occasional routing errors (double-check unfamiliar routes)
Is it worth it? Yes, if you drive OTR or unfamiliar routes. The $99/year pays for itself by preventing one bridge strike or one wrong-route ticket.
CoPilot GPS
Cost: $9.99/month or $99/year Platforms: iOS and Android
From navigation app research: "Designed with professional truck drivers in mind and provides accurate navigation based on the vehicle's dimensions, helping you avoid low bridges, narrow roads, and weight-restricted areas."
Key features:
- Enter truck dimensions (height, weight, length, axles)
- Routes based on YOUR specific truck
- Live traffic (looks 60 miles ahead)
- Offline maps (works without cell service)
- Hazmat routing
- Custom POIs (save regular stops)
From TruckersReport:
"Copilot Live around $10/month with live traffic updates that look 60 miles ahead."
Pros:
- Most accurate for oversized loads or specialty trucks
- Offline maps (rural areas with poor cell service)
- Hazmat certified routing
Cons:
- Expensive ($120/year)
- Interface not as user-friendly as Trucker Path
- Slower to update traffic
Is it worth it? Yes, if you haul oversized, overweight, or hazmat. Critical for specialty hauling. Overkill for standard dry van.
SmartTruckRoute
Cost: $9.99/month or $79.99/year Platforms: Android (iOS version limited)
Key features:
- Truck-specific routing
- Avoids low bridges, sharp turns, parkways, residential areas
- Live map updates
- Custom truck profiles
- Fuel stops along route
From TruckersReport:
"Smart Truck Route 2 on Android is pretty good."
Pros:
- Slightly cheaper than competitors ($80/year vs $100)
- Good for Android users
- Includes fuel stop planning
Cons:
- Limited iOS functionality
- Smaller user base (less crowdsourced data)
- Not as polished as Trucker Path
Is it worth it? Yes, if you're on Android and want to save $20/year. If you're on iOS, stick with Trucker Path or CoPilot.
Upper Route Planner
Cost: Subscription-based (pricing varies) Platform: Web and mobile app
From routing app research: "Best for optimizing multi-stop routes and saving fuel."
Key features:
- Multi-stop route optimization
- Reorders stops for most efficient route
- Fuel cost calculation
- Time estimates
- Proof of delivery
Use case: Local/regional drivers with multiple daily stops (not OTR)
Is it worth it? Only if you make 5+ stops per day. Overkill for OTR linehaul.
Load Board Apps (For Finding Freight)
DAT Load Board
Cost: $123/month (owner-operator plan) Platform: iOS, Android, web
From load board reviews: "DAT Load Board app is a leading choice in 2025 with a user-friendly interface that offers access to thousands of loads, which drivers can sort based on location, load type, and payment terms."
Key features:
- Access to 350+ million loads/year
- Search by origin/destination, equipment type, rate
- Broker credit scores (avoid bad brokers)
- Rate analysis tools
- Book loads directly in app
Worth it if:
- You self-dispatch (find your own loads)
- You want rate transparency
- You book 2+ loads/month from load boards
Not worth it if:
- You have dispatch service (like FF Dispatch)
- You run dedicated freight
- You're not actively searching for loads
Alternative: Truckstop.com ($99-$150/month, similar features)
Fuel Apps (Save Money Every Fill-Up)
Fuel Book
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
From TruckersReport forum:
"Fuel Book gives cheapest fuel places on route with fuel tax in or without it, factors in company-specific discounts."
Key features:
- Fuel prices at truck stops along route
- Includes fuel tax
- Calculates savings based on YOUR truck's MPG
- Integrates with fleet fuel cards
How much it saves:
- Average fuel price difference: $0.10-$0.30/gallon
- Fill-up savings: $15-$45 (150 gallon tank)
- Monthly savings: $200-$600 (if used every fill-up)
Why you need this:
- Fuel is 25-30% of operating costs
- Finding cheapest fuel along route pays for itself every single fill-up
Is it worth it? Absolutely. It's FREE and saves hundreds per month.
GasBuddy
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
From trucker discussions:
"GasBuddy app for checking current fuel prices."
Key features:
- Real-time fuel prices (crowdsourced)
- Filter by fuel type (diesel)
- Trip cost calculator
- Pay with GasBuddy card (save 5¢/gallon at some stations)
Pros:
- Free
- Large user base (prices updated frequently)
- Works for cars and trucks
Cons:
- Doesn't include truck stops exclusively
- No tax calculations
- Doesn't route you
Is it worth downloading? Yes, as backup to Fuel Book. Between the two, you'll find cheapest fuel.
Weather Apps (Safety and Route Planning)
MyRadar
Cost: Free (Premium $2.99/month) Platform: iOS and Android
From weather app research: "MyRadar equips drivers with real-time weather updates and by 2025 has advanced to provide precise storm tracking, precipitation data, and severe weather alerts."
Key features:
- Real-time animated radar
- Hurricane tracking
- Lightning strikes
- Future radar (see where storms are headed)
- Weather alerts
Why truckers need this:
- Avoid driving into storms
- Plan rest breaks around weather
- See winter weather (ice, snow) ahead
Is it worth it? Yes. Free version is sufficient. Premium adds hurricane tracking and longer forecasts (useful if you run Southeast during hurricane season).
The Weather Channel
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
From TruckersReport:
"The Weather Channel app for determining best truck routes."
From weather app reviews: "Provides real-time updates and improved storm tracking with detailed hourly, daily, and weekly forecasts."
Key features:
- Hourly, daily, weekly forecasts
- Severe weather alerts
- Road conditions
- Map view of weather along route
Is it worth it? Yes, as backup to MyRadar. The Weather Channel has longer-range forecasts (useful for planning week ahead).
Drive Weather
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
From weather research: "Drive Weather pulls real-time satellite data from the National Weather Service, so you can see weather conditions in a map view."
Key features:
- Map view of weather along your route
- National Weather Service data (official source)
- Simple interface
Is it worth it? Yes, if you want official NWS data instead of third-party forecasts.
Parking Apps (Find Spots Faster)
Trucker Path (Parking Feature)
Cost: $9.99/month (included with navigation subscription) Platform: iOS and Android
Parking features:
- Real-time availability (crowdsourced from other drivers)
- 7-day parking history (know when spots typically fill up)
- Reviews of truck stops
- Amenities listed (showers, food, laundry)
How it saves time:
- Check availability before driving there
- Avoid circling full lots
- Plan stop times based on when lots fill up
Is it worth it? Yes, parking feature alone justifies the $10/month if you're OTR.
ParkMyRig
Cost: Free to browse, $15-20 to reserve spots Platform: iOS and Android
From parking app research: "ParkMyRig offers real-time truck parking availability and includes a built-in reservation system, so you can book guaranteed parking in advance."
Key features:
- Reserve parking spots (guaranteed)
- Private truck parking locations (not just truck stops)
- Pay in app
- Real-time availability
When to use:
- High-traffic areas where parking fills up
- Urban deliveries (book private lot near customer)
- Weekends (truck stops busiest)
Is it worth it? Yes, for peace of mind. $15-20 for guaranteed spot beats circling for an hour and risking unsafe parking.
All Stays Truck & Travel
Cost: One-time purchase $14.99 Platform: iOS and Android
From TruckersReport:
"All Stays Truck & Travel app formerly the best trucker app, used for finding truck parking or truck washes."
Key features:
- Truck stops, rest areas, Walmart parking
- Truck washes
- Weigh stations
- WiFi availability
Pros:
- One-time payment (no subscription)
- Works offline
- Includes rest areas and Walmart
Cons:
- Doesn't show real-time availability
- Less updated than Trucker Path
Is it worth it? Maybe, as backup to Trucker Path. The one-time fee is reasonable if you want offline maps.
Expense Tracking and Accounting Apps
QuickBooks Self-Employed
Cost: $20/month Platform: iOS, Android, web
From expense tracking research: "QuickBooks stands out as an essential accounting tool with features tailored to trucking, streamlining mileage tracking, expense management, and invoicing."
Key features:
- Track income and expenses
- Categorize transactions automatically
- Mileage tracking (automatic or manual)
- Quarterly estimated tax calculations
- Schedule C preparation for tax time
- Snap photos of receipts
What it saves:
- Tax prep time (3-5 hours)
- Accountant fees (organized records = lower bill)
- Missed deductions (captures everything)
Is it worth it? Yes, if you're an owner-operator. $240/year pays for itself by finding deductions and saving tax prep time.
Excel or Google Sheets
Cost: Free (Google Sheets) or $70/year (Microsoft 365) Platform: All platforms
DIY tracking:
- Create your own spreadsheet
- Track: Date, miles, fuel, tolls, maintenance, revenue
- Calculate profit/loss manually
Pros:
- Free or cheap
- Complete control
- No learning curve if you know spreadsheets
Cons:
- Manual data entry (time-consuming)
- No automatic categorization
- No tax prep integration
Is it worth it? Only if you're extremely budget-conscious and don't mind manual entry. QuickBooks is worth the $20/month for automation.
ELD Apps (Hours of Service Compliance)
Note: ELD mandate requires electronic logging. You need FMCSA-certified ELD hardware + app.
KeepTruckin ELD
Cost: $30-$50/month (includes hardware rental) Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- Hours of service tracking (automatic)
- DVIR (driver vehicle inspection reports)
- IFTA mileage tracking
- GPS tracking
- DOT compliance reports
Is it worth it? Yes, if you don't already have company-provided ELD. Required by law for most operations.
BigRoad
Cost: $10-$20/month Platform: iOS and Android
From TruckersReport:
"Big Road for logging, runs mileage & fuel reports."
Key features:
- ELD compliance
- Mileage and fuel reports
- IFTA tracking
- Simple interface
Is it worth it? Yes, if you want budget-friendly ELD solution with good reporting.
IFTA and Tax Apps
TruckLogics
Cost: $20-$40/month Platform: Web and mobile
Key features:
- IFTA mileage tracking by state
- Quarterly IFTA report generation
- Dispatch and load management
- Driver settlements
- Invoicing
Is it worth it? Yes, if you want all-in-one: dispatch + accounting + IFTA. Overkill if you only need IFTA tracking.
Excel + Manual IFTA Tracking
Cost: Free
DIY IFTA:
- Track miles driven in each state
- Record fuel purchased in each state
- Calculate quarterly yourself or pay accountant
Is it worth it? Only if you're extremely organized and have simple routes (2-3 states).
Communication and Document Apps
Transflo
Cost: Free (carrier-paid) or $10/month Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- Scan and submit paperwork (BOLs, receipts)
- Send directly to carrier/factoring company
- No faxing or mailing
- Document storage
Is it worth it? Yes, if your carrier uses Transflo. Eliminates paperwork hassles.
DocuSign
Cost: $10-$25/month Platform: iOS, Android, web
Key features:
- Digital signatures
- Send contracts for signing
- Legally binding
- Tracks who signed and when
Is it worth it? Maybe, if you frequently sign contracts. Most brokers and shippers now accept emailed PDFs with typed name.
Truck Stop and Loyalty Apps
Pilot Flying J App
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- myRewards Plus program
- Reserve Prime Parking ($10-18/night)
- Fuel prices
- Shower credits
- Locations and amenities
Is it worth it? Yes. Free, and if you fuel at Pilot/Flying J, rewards add up.
Love's Connect App
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- Love's rewards program
- Find locations
- Amenities listed
- Fuel prices
- No paid parking (all free)
Is it worth it? Yes, if you use Love's. Rewards program earns free showers and food.
TA/Petro UltraONE App
Cost: Free Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- UltraONE rewards
- Free StayFit gym membership (40+ locations)
- Reserve paid parking
- Fuel prices
- Shower rewards
Is it worth it? Yes, especially for StayFit gym access.
Maintenance and Inspection Apps
Weigh My Truck (CAT Scale)
Cost: Free app, scale fee $14 Platform: iOS and Android
From TruckersReport:
"Weigh My Truck app (by CAT scale) - Pay for scale ticket from phone."
Key features:
- Pay for CAT scale from phone (don't go inside)
- Receive weight ticket electronically
- Store weight tickets in app
- Reweigh feature ($3 if you adjust weight)
Is it worth it? Yes. Convenience of paying from cab and electronic tickets save time.
Drivewyze PreClear
Cost: $17.99/month Platform: iOS and Android
Key features:
- Bypass weigh stations (if eligible)
- Real-time weigh station alerts
- Saves time (don't wait in line)
Is it worth it? Yes, if you run routes with many weigh stations. Saves 15-30 minutes per bypass.
How Many Apps Do You Really Need?
Minimum essential stack:
- Navigation: Trucker Path ($10/month)
- Fuel: Fuel Book (free)
- Weather: MyRadar (free)
- Parking: Trucker Path (included with navigation)
- Accounting: QuickBooks Self-Employed ($20/month)
- ELD: KeepTruckin or BigRoad ($30/month)
Total monthly cost: $60-$70/month
What this saves annually:
- Navigation: $15,000+ (prevents one bridge strike)
- Fuel: $2,400-$7,200 (finding cheapest fuel)
- Accounting: $500-$1,000 (tax deductions and prep time)
- Total savings: $18,000-$23,000/year
ROI: $60/month ($720/year) to save $18,000-$23,000 = 25x-32x return on investment
How FF Dispatch Eliminates Need for Load Board Apps
We handle freight sourcing so you don't need expensive load board subscriptions.
What we provide:
- Freight sourcing and booking (no DAT needed)
- Rate negotiation
- Carrier setup and paperwork
- Load confirmations and tracking
Why this matters:
Self-dispatching requires:
- DAT Load Board subscription: $123/month
- Truckstop.com subscription: $99/month
- 2-4 hours per day searching for loads
- Negotiating with brokers
- Carrier setup for each new broker
With FF Dispatch:
- No load board subscription needed
- Save $123-$150/month
- Save 2-4 hours per day
- We negotiate rates
- We handle broker relationships
Cost comparison:
Self-dispatch annual cost:
- Load board: $1,476/year
- Time: 520-1,040 hours/year
- Opportunity cost: $1,476 + time value
FF Dispatch:
- Pricing: 6% of gross revenue
- No load boards needed
- Time back for driving more miles
Contact: (302) 608-0609 or gia@dispatchff.com Pricing: 6% of gross revenue No long-term contracts
If you're tired of paying for load boards and spending hours searching for freight, we handle freight sourcing so you can focus on driving.
Bottom Line
The right apps save thousands per year and prevent costly mistakes.
Essential apps every trucker needs:
Navigation (choose one):
- Trucker Path: $10/month (best overall, includes parking)
- CoPilot GPS: $10/month (best for oversized/hazmat)
- SmartTruckRoute: $7/month (budget Android option)
Fuel (both free):
- Fuel Book: Finds cheapest diesel on route
- GasBuddy: Backup fuel price checker
- Savings: $200-$600/month
Weather (all free):
- MyRadar: Real-time radar and alerts
- The Weather Channel: Long-range forecasts
- Drive Weather: Official NWS data
Parking:
- Trucker Path: Real-time availability ($10/month, included with navigation)
- ParkMyRig: Reserve guaranteed spots ($15-20/night)
- Saves hours of circling, reduces stress
Accounting:
- QuickBooks Self-Employed: $20/month (automatic tracking, tax prep)
- Or DIY with Google Sheets (free, more work)
ELD (required by law):
- KeepTruckin: $30-50/month (includes hardware)
- BigRoad: $10-20/month (budget option)
Load boards (if self-dispatching):
- DAT: $123/month (largest network)
- Truckstop.com: $99/month (alternative)
- Skip if using dispatch service
Truck stop loyalty (all free):
- Pilot Flying J app (myRewards Plus)
- Love's Connect app
- TA/Petro UltraONE app
Maintenance:
- Weigh My Truck: Free (pay scales from phone)
- Drivewyze: $18/month (bypass weigh stations)
Minimum essential cost:
- Navigation + Fuel + Weather + Parking: $10/month (Trucker Path covers all)
- Accounting: $20/month (QuickBooks)
- ELD: $30/month (KeepTruckin)
- Total: $60/month
Annual savings from using these apps:
- Avoid one bridge strike: $15,000+
- Fuel savings: $2,400-$7,200
- Tax deductions captured: $500-$1,000
- Time saved: 100-200 hours
- Total value: $18,000-$23,000/year
Best free apps:
- Fuel Book (fuel prices)
- MyRadar (weather)
- GasBuddy (backup fuel)
- The Weather Channel (weather)
- All truck stop loyalty apps
Worth paying for:
- Trucker Path ($10/month) - prevents expensive routing mistakes
- QuickBooks ($20/month) - automates bookkeeping and tax prep
- ELD solution ($30/month) - required by law
Not worth it (unless specific need):
- Load boards ($100-150/month) - skip if using dispatch service
- Premium weather ($3/month) - free versions are sufficient
- Multiple navigation apps - pick one
Download priority:
- Navigation app with parking (Trucker Path) - prevents damage, saves time
- Fuel apps (Fuel Book + GasBuddy) - saves hundreds monthly
- Weather app (MyRadar) - safety
- Accounting (QuickBooks) - tax time sanity
- ELD (required by law)
- Truck stop loyalty apps (free rewards)
The right apps pay for themselves many times over. Don't penny-pinch on navigation or fuel apps - one bridge strike or poor fuel planning costs more than years of subscriptions.
Sources:
- The Top Apps for Truck Drivers (2025 Update) - Inland Group
- Best Trucker GPS Apps for Commercial Vehicles 2026 - Upper Inc
- Top 8 Essential Apps Every Truck Driver Needs in 2025 - American Truckers
- Best Apps for Truckers - DAT
- From Navigation to Fuel: Top 15 Apps for Truckers - Truckstop
- 15 Useful Apps for Truckers - Acuity
- 7 Must-Have Best GPS Apps for Truckers in 2026 - TrackoBit
- Best Trucking Apps? - TruckersReport Forum
- What Phone Apps Do You Use? - TruckersReport Forum
- How Do You Find Cheap Fuel? - TruckersReport Forum