Trucking GPS

A truck GPS unit includes custom truck routing with specific navigation instructions, and other useful information at a truck driver's fingertips.

What is a truck GPS?

A truck GPS unit uses Global Positioning System technology just like any other GPS, including handheld, in-car, and marine, to help truck drivers navigate their routes. Except they come pre-loaded with maps for popular trucking routes, including those within the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas, and with truck specific details to help make your ride more seamless.

It's typically a square or rectangular-shaped device that mounts on the dash or windshield in the vehicle via magnetic mount, suction cup, or screw-down mount. They have sizeable screens, ranging anywhere from 5 inches up to as large as 10 inches.

While the primary use of a truck GPS is for navigating from Point A to Point B, some truck GPS units also include features likes useful alerts and communications with other drivers.

How does truck GPS differ from other GPS?

Truck GPS units include truck specific navigation instructions, with things like notifications for upcoming weigh stations, bypasses, and other truck-specific waypoints along the route.

They also feature custom truck routing based on the size and weight of the rig, a services directory that is specific to truckers, including truck-friendly parking and stops, and load-to-dock guidance including loading zones and storage lots. A truck GPS might also offer alerts for upcoming bridge heights, sharp curves, and steep grades that are especially useful to drivers in large truck rigs.

A truck GPS might also include recommendations for popular routes used by other truckers, handy when driving through new and unfamiliar areas. Another common feature is connectivity with a mobile app for information like weather conditions, traffic updates, live fuel prices, phone notifications, and live traffic cameras.

What are the advantages of having a truck GPS?

Having a truck GPS provides details that will be more pertinent to you than what you'd find with a standard GPS, taking into account things like the larger and heavier size of the vehicle and rig, and the types of points of interest (POI) that are most useful to truck drivers, like weigh stations, rest stops, bridge heights, upcoming sharp curves, and more.

With maps for all the routes a trucker might travel through, you get comprehensive navigation that also includes relevant POIs and even, in some models, traveler ratings. Some also include lifetime map and traffic updates and features like active lane guidance to ensure you keep to your lane.

Some models add more features, like compatibility with third-party back-up cameras and Bluetooth syncing to a mobile device. This is combined with an integrated mic and speaker for hands-free voice commands and to communicate with other drivers.