How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Trucker Path is the best all round planning app, with parking, fuel, weigh stations and truck routing in one place.
- Hammer and TruckMap cover truck navigation for free, which suits drivers who mainly need a safe route.
- DAT One is the load board choice for owner operators, while Mudflap is the fuel saving app that pays for itself at the pump.
- No phone app replaces a driver check of signs, clearances and delivery instructions, so use apps as help, not as the only source.
Quick comparison
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The best apps for truck drivers
Starting price$14.99 per month
Free planYes
Trucker Path is the app most drivers open before a trip, not just during it. The free version covers truck stops, parking updates, fuel prices, weigh station status and driver reviews, which helps a driver plan where to stop for a 10 hour break. Paid Gold, at $14.99 per month, adds truck navigation, parking predictions, offline maps and weigh station predictions, while Diamond adds unlimited stops, hours of service trip planning and fuel optimisation.
The honest limit is that the free version does not include full truck navigation. A driver who only uses the free version still needs another navigation app for the route itself. For planning, though, few apps match the breadth of stops and community reports in Trucker Path, and that is why it stays on most drivers phones even when they navigate elsewhere.
What we like- Parking predictions and truck stop details
- Fuel prices and weigh station status
- Large driver community updates
Watch out for- Truck routing and turn by turn navigation need a paid Gold or Diamond plan
- Some features vary by region
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Hammer, built by the TruckersReport community, is the best free truck navigation app for drivers who want a safe route without a subscription. You enter truck height, weight, length, axle count and cargo type, and it builds a route that avoids low bridges, weight limits and restricted roads. Offline maps help in areas with weak signal, and weigh station alerts add a useful warning on the road.
Hammer does not try to be a full planning suite. Parking predictions, fuel discounts and load boards are not its strength, so most drivers pair it with Trucker Path or Mudflap. Store listings also show supporter options without a clear description of what they add. For navigation alone, that does not matter much: the core routing is free, and that is the point.
What we like- Truck routing by height, weight, length and cargo
- Offline maps
- Weigh station alerts
Watch out for- Optional supporter purchases are not clearly described in store listings
- Parking data is thinner than Trucker Path
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
TruckMap is another free option that covers more than navigation. It routes by truck dimensions and restrictions, and it lists hundreds of thousands of truck facilities, parking spots, rest areas and fuel stations. That makes it useful both for the route and for finding a stop, without paying for a premium plan.
The catch is connectivity. TruckMap relies on mobile data for much of its live detail, so a driver in a weak signal area should download what is needed in advance where the app allows it. Its freight marketplace also matters more to owner operators than to company drivers. For free routing plus stop planning, TruckMap is a strong second navigation app to keep alongside Hammer.
What we like- Free truck routing with restrictions
- Large database of stops and parking
- Fuel and weigh station details
Watch out for- Needs mobile data for many features
- Load marketplace features may not suit company drivers
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
DAT One is the app for owner operators and small fleets who book their own freight. It gives access to the DAT load board network, with load search, alerts, trip planning, fuel prices and truck stop details in one place. For a driver who needs the next load to avoid deadhead miles, that combination saves time compared with checking separate boards and maps.
Company drivers who are dispatched loads will get little from it, and that is fine: DAT One is built for the booking job. Full access needs a paid DAT Load Board subscription, so check the current plan and its load search limits before paying. For independent drivers, it is the load tool most brokers and shippers already use, which is a practical reason to be on it.
What we like- Large load board network
- Trip planning and fuel tools in one app
- Load alerts for owner operators
Watch out for- Full load board access needs a paid DAT subscription
- Not useful for company drivers who do not book loads
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Mudflap saves money in a way drivers can see at the pump. Drivers choose a participating truck stop in the app, connect a payment card and get a fuel savings code for instant diesel discounts. The app now lists thousands of participating stops across the United States, including major chains and independent stops. It also adds free truck safe GPS navigation that avoids low bridges and weight limits.
Discounts are not the same everywhere. The saving at one stop can differ from the next, and a driver whose routes rarely pass participating stops will save less. Mudflap is still worth keeping because it costs nothing to download and the navigation alone is useful. Drivers who plan fuel stops around Mudflap locations tend to get the most from it.
What we like- Instant diesel discounts at thousands of truck stops
- Free truck safe GPS navigation
- No credit check to start
Watch out for- Discounts vary by stop and fuel type
- Savings depend on routes and participating stops
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Drivewyze answers a simple question on the road: do I need to pull in, or can I bypass this weigh station. The app, now known in app stores as FleetworthyGO (Drivewyze), sends bypass requests at participating sites and alerts the driver before arrival. That can save time and fuel across a regular lane, especially for fleets with strong safety records.
Bypass is not guaranteed. It depends on the carrier record, the site and the rules in force at that moment, so drivers must still watch signs and follow instructions at the site. Drivewyze is a paid service for full use, and pricing varies by fleet size and plan. For fleets and regular lane drivers, the time saved can justify the cost. For occasional drivers, Trucker Path weigh station status may be enough.
What we like- Bypass requests at participating weigh stations and inspection sites
- Alerts before a site
- Fleet and driver versions
Watch out for- Bypass depends on carrier safety record and site participation
- Service is paid, not free for full use
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Motive Driver, formerly KeepTruckin, is the driver side of a fleet compliance system. Drivers log hours of service, complete vehicle inspections, receive dispatch messages and share load details, all from a phone or tablet. When paired with the Motive vehicle gateway, it works as a compliant electronic logging device, and fleets add dashcam, safety scoring and fuel reporting on higher plans.
The app itself is free to download, but the full system needs a fleet subscription and hardware, so an independent driver cannot simply install it and get ELD compliance alone. The driver experience also depends on how the fleet sets up logs, inspections and messaging. For company drivers and fleets already on Motive, it is the daily work app. For others, it is worth knowing, not worth installing alone.
What we like- Electronic logging for hours of service
- Vehicle inspections and dispatch messages
- Dashcam and safety tools on fleet plans
Watch out for- Full features need a Motive fleet subscription and vehicle gateway
- Driver experience depends on fleet setup
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
CAT Scale solves a narrow but important job: proving axle and gross weights before a driver gets stopped or fined. The Weigh My Truck app lets a driver weigh at a CAT Scale location, pay in the app and get a certified weight ticket without leaving the cab in many locations. Weight history helps drivers and fleets keep records for loads and disputes.
The limit is coverage. CAT Scale only works at its own locations, so a driver off that network needs another scale. Weigh fees also apply per weigh, even though the app is free to download. For legal weights and peace of mind before a long haul, few tools are as direct or as trusted at a scale house.
What we like- Certified weights at CAT Scale locations
- Weigh My Truck app for faster weighing
- Weight history for records
Watch out for- Only covers CAT Scale locations
- Certified weigh fees apply per weigh
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
SmartTruckRoute is a paid truck navigation app that adds record keeping to routing. Drivers set a vehicle profile for height, weight and cargo, get truck legal routes, and track mileage for IFTA fuel tax reporting. That second job matters for owner operators who must report miles by state each quarter, and doing it inside the navigation app reduces manual logs.
It is not free for full use, and its driver community is smaller than Trucker Path or Hammer, so parking and stop reports are thinner. Drivers who mainly need a route can use Hammer or TruckMap for free. Drivers who want routing plus IFTA tracking in one paid app, and who drive regular lanes, may find SmartTruckRoute worth the subscription.
What we like- Truck routing with vehicle profiles
- IFTA mileage tracking
- Offline route features on paid plans
Watch out for- Paid plans needed for full routing
- Smaller community than Trucker Path or Hammer
How we chose
We compared vendor pages, app store listings and public reviews on G2, Capterra and Reddit, and we checked features, coverage, pricing and fit for company drivers, owner operators and fleets. We kept apps that drivers actually use for navigation, fuel, parking, loads, weigh stations, ELD work and certified weights, rather than general maps or fitness apps. Prices change often and vary by store and fleet plan, so we used See website where a current vendor price could not be confirmed. No hands on testing is claimed, and drivers should always check road signs, clearances and delivery instructions, because no app is a substitute for that check.
Building a daily app set
Start with one navigation app and one planning app
Pick Hammer or TruckMap for free routing, and Trucker Path for parking and stops. That pair covers most daily needs without paying for two navigation subscriptions. Add a paid navigation plan only if you need offline routing, parking predictions or hours of service planning every day.
Add money tools where they fit your work
Owner operators should add DAT One for loads and Mudflap for fuel. Company drivers should add the ELD and dispatch app their fleet uses, and CAT Scale for weights. Adding every app at once creates clutter and drains a phone battery, so keep only the tools you open each week.
Check signal, battery and mounts before a long run
Download offline maps where the app offers them, carry a charger that works with your cab, and mount the phone where you can glance at it without holding it. A navigation app is only useful if it stays charged, visible and legal to use while driving in your state.
Verify the route at the last mile
Phone routing can miss a local truck ban, a new low bridge sign or a delivery entrance rule. Check the last mile with satellite view, delivery notes and signs on arrival. If an app route and a posted sign disagree, follow the sign and report the error in the app if you can.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free truck GPS app?
Hammer and TruckMap are the strongest free truck navigation apps. Trucker Path is the best free planning app, but full truck navigation in Trucker Path needs a paid plan.
Do truck drivers need a paid navigation app?
Not always. Free apps cover truck dimensions and restrictions for many routes. Paid plans add offline maps, parking predictions, unlimited stops and hours of service planning, which matter more for long haul and multi stop work.
Which app is best for finding loads?
DAT One is the best known load board app for owner operators. Company drivers who receive dispatched loads do not need a load board app.
Can an app help me avoid weigh stations?
Drivewyze can request a bypass at participating sites, and Trucker Path shows weigh station status. Neither guarantees a bypass, and drivers must follow signs and instructions at each site.
How do fuel discount apps work?
Mudflap and similar apps give a code at participating stops after you connect a payment card. The discount is applied at the pump or in the app, and the saving varies by stop.
Are phone apps enough for truck navigation?
They help a lot, but they are not enough alone. Always check posted signs, bridge clearances and delivery instructions, and keep a backup plan for weak signal areas.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://truckerpath.com
- https://www.truckersreport.com
- https://truckmap.com
- https://www.dat.com
- https://www.mudflapinc.com
- https://www.drivewyze.com
- https://gomotive.com
- https://catscale.com
- https://www.smarttruckroute.com
- https://www.highwaymiles.net/blog/best-truck-gps-app-comparison
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Trucker Path
Hammer
TruckMap
DAT One
Mudflap
Drivewyze
Motive Driver
CAT Scale
SmartTruckRoute