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Trip Planning for Truck Drivers: 6 Tips for Success

March 14th, 2022

Angela Wainright

Angela began her career at ATS in 2003. In her tenure here, she’s been a driver manager and an operations manager and she’s worked in driver services. She’s currently the director of vans operations.

Do you often find yourself running late to deliveries? 

Do you find yourself struggling to find a place to fuel up or take your break?

Are you driving out of route, adding miles to your trip, in order to find a place to park for the night?

Are you receiving repeated Hours of Service violations?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, I’d like to ask you just one more question. Do you wake up in the morning with a plan for the day, or do you wake up 15 minutes before you need to get on the road and “wing it?”

Chances are, if you’re choosing to “wing it” and waking up only a few minutes before you need to start driving for the day, you’re probably running into some problems along the way. 

Without a good trip plan that helps get you from point A to E and everywhere in-between, you’re more likely to run into trouble during your trip. You may run into bad weather halfway to your destination, stumble upon road construction that puts you in stop-and-go traffic for several hours or fail to find a parking spot at the truck stop. 

These little hiccups can lead to bigger problems, such as violating your Hours of Service under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and negatively impacting your CSA score. Or, having to reschedule a missed pick-up or delivery, contributing to lost time and money. 

But if you’re new to over-the-road (OTR) trucking or you don’t have experience with trip planning, it can be hard to know where to start.

I’ve been in the trucking industry since 2003, where it’s been my job to support drivers and give them the tools they need to succeed. I’m happy to provide you with all my best tips so that you can succeed, too. 

When you finish reading this blog, you’ll know how to create an effective trip plan that will help you: 

• Efficiently and successfully complete your trip from beginning to end 
• Plan for unforeseen circumstances
• Prevent late pickups or deliveries 
• Prevent Hours of Service violations

Most importantly, you’ll feel confident that you have all the tools you need to successfully create a trip plan. 

The 6 Fundamentals of Truck Driver Trip Planning 

When you’re trip planning, you need to consider six important variables:

• What’s the best route to reach your final destination for the day?
• How many miles can you drive each day?
• What is the weather forecast?
• How many hours do you have on your clock?
• Where do you need to stop for fuel, breaks, meals, load securement checks, etc.? 
• Where will you park for the night?

I’ll cover each of these variables more in-depth. 

1. Plan Your Route

First thing’s first: Where are you going? Are you picking up and delivering same-day or are you traveling a longer distance over a few days?

You’ll need to compare your delivery date and total miles for the load with your Hours of Service to determine how far you can drive each day. 

Then it’s time to grab your trusty map or your GPS and plan your route. When you receive your load assignment, you may receive a generic route to get you there, but you’ll want to check for things like road closures, low bridges, high traffic areas and tolls. If you’re hauling an over-dimensional load, you’ll need to ensure you’re following the permits issued to you on permitted roads. 

Anticipating construction and detours on your route can be the difference between being on time for pick-up or delivery and being late. 

Keep in mind that if you’re just looking at Google Maps, the route it’s showing you may not work for a commercial vehicle. You may not be able to drive on some of the roads it recommends and you may not arrive as quickly as it estimates.

Think about the time of day you’ll be traveling through certain areas. What kind of traffic conditions will you run into? Can you leave a little earlier to avoid rush hour? Can you go around major cities with minimal out of route miles rather than straight through them? Try to plan your route and start time to maximize your drive time.

2. Determine How Many Miles You Can Drive

As a truck driver driving on highways, you can typically cover about 50 miles in one hour. That means if you plan to drive for about 10 hours each day — as many drivers do — you can cover approximately 500 miles in one day. 

The number of miles you can drive each day is dependent upon your Hours of Service availability. 

3. Know Where your Hours of Service Stand

Your Hours of Service should be top of mind when you’re making your trip plan. 

How many hours are on your 11, 14 and 70? More specifically, how many hours of on-duty and drive time do you have remaining for the day and the week? Hours of Service violations are serious and they’re put in place for a reason: to keep you and the motoring public safe. 

Plan how many hours you can drive each day based upon your Hours of Service availability. For instance, if you only have eight hours left on your 14-hour clock for the day, and you can only drive 50 miles in an hour, you can’t plan on driving over 400 miles for the day. You simply don’t have enough time on your clock to drive that far and safely and comfortably stop for the day.

You should give yourself plenty of leeway when it comes to your hours. Consider what time you will arrive at your final destination for the night if everything goes your way, and then pad your timeline. It might take longer to fuel up than expected. An accident might pop up and keep you stuck in traffic an hour longer than you planned for. Setting timelines that are too tight can set you up for failure and stress you out trying to reach impossible deadlines. Set realistic expectations.

When you add some wiggle room to your trip plan, you can not only prevent Hours of Service violations , but you can also decrease some of your stress. If your clock is ticking and you’re not as close to your final destination for the night as you need to be, you can start making mistakes because you’re stressed and frustrated. 

4. Check the Weather

What does the weather forecast look like on the way to your destination? Check the weather forecast when you make your trip plan and during your breaks as you make your way to your destination. There are many great apps out there to assist with identifying bad weather.

Your route may take you through inclement weather — whether that’s wind, rain or snow. Having a plan ahead of time, before you reach the bad weather, sets you up for success. 

Can you leave a little earlier or a little later to miss the weather? Can you adjust your route and go around the storm? You can’t always avoid bad weather or road conditions. In those situations, you’ll need to remove yourself from the roadways and wait for conditions to improve. 

As soon as you know that you’re going to encounter poor weather, give your dispatcher a call. Communicate and come up with a plan together. You shouldn’t be driving in poor weather conditions, so having a good communication plan is necessary. 

5. Plan your Breaks and Fuel Stops

You’re required to take one 30-minute break during the day. You’ll also likely need to fuel up throughout the day. You’ll save time and maximize your Hours of Service by coordinating your break location with your fuel stop location, avoiding the need to make an extra stop for one or the other. 

Consider how much fuel you have and how far that will get you. How many times will you need to stop during your trip to fuel up? 

Consider your route when you’re planning your breaks. Choose truck stops that are along your route. Make a list of backup options as well. Some truck stops may be busier than others and you might have to wait to fuel up. Having a backup option nearby will save you time. You won’t have to find a different truck stop on the fly or drive out of route to find another spot to fuel.

6. Plan your Stopping Point For the Day

Truck stops can fill up early, so it’s important that you plan where you’ll stop for the night. Make a list of a few options where you can park. Some locations will allow you to reserve a parking spot in advance for a minimal fee.

The last thing you want is to have to park illegally somewhere or get an Hours of Service violation because you’re driving around trying to find a parking spot. 

Tools for Trip Planning Success

There are specific tools that truck drivers like you use to assist them with trip planning. 

Communicate with your Dispatcher and the Customer

Your dispatcher should be your number one resource. They’re there to support you first and foremost. If you’re struggling with trip planning, call them. They can plan a trip with you until you feel comfortable doing it on your own. 

It’s also helpful to call your shipper or receiver in advance. As soon as you’re dispatched on a load, give them a call. Ask them about their location and if there’s a specific route you need to take to ensure you can safely maneuver into the location. Ask about overnight parking availability and amenities. Do they have facilities (i.e. restrooms) to keep you comfortable if you park there overnight?

Download Apps to Assist You

If you’re looking for a little extra help, there are apps that can provide the assistance you’re looking for. Consider apps like Trucker Path or Trucker Tools to help you find nearby truck stops, weigh stations, fuel stops and parking spots. GasBuddy lets you compare fuel prices. Download state 511 apps for weather, road and traffic conditions.

Utilize Trucker Trip Planning Worksheets 

Your dispatcher can provide you with worksheets to help you trip plan. The worksheets have a list of questions, including your delivery date, how many hours you can drive, how many miles you plan to drive, how much fuel you have, where you plan to stop and what the weather and road conditions look like. 

It’s a good idea to get in the habit of filling out a worksheet — or at least sketching out your trip plan — daily.

Make Trip Planning a Routine

You’ll only be successful with your trip planning if you make it a routine and do it every day. 

The earlier you can finish your trip plan, the better. It’s a great idea to trip plan at night, right after you shut down. That way, when you wake up, you have a plan for the day.

Review your trip plans after the fact. Did everything go as planned? What did you learn? What could you do better next time?

The more experience you have trip planning, the better you’ll get at it and the less time it’ll take you to do it each day. Through trial and error, you’ll figure out which truck stops are the best, which areas to avoid, how much time you need to give yourself for fuel stops and more. 

Maximizing Your Hours of Service 

Everyone makes mistakes; no driver is perfect. Sometimes we miss a delivery window or we don’t anticipate something on the road. But you don’t want to develop that bad reputation over time. 

A solid trip plan can not only help you deliver your loads on time and avoid Hours of Service violations, but it can also eliminate some of your stress and distraction on the road. 

Trip planning goes hand in hand with maximizing your Hours of Service . If you’re looking to make the most out of every single day that you’re out on the road, be sure to trip plan and practice maximizing your Hours of Service.

Crafting the Perfect Trip Sheet: A Trucker’s Essential Guide

As a trucker, keeping an organized and detailed trip sheet is crucial for not only staying on top of your job but also ensuring your safety and efficiency. A trip sheet is a document that records essential information about your journey, including route details, expenses and other relevant data. 

In this blog post, we will explore the necessary steps to create a comprehensive trip sheet that will make your life on the road much easier. 

• Preparing Before the Trip. 
• Gather Necessary Information.
• Outline Your Route.
• Estimate Travel Time and Fuel Costs. 
• Plan Rest Stops. 
• Documenting Your Journey.
• Log Your Start and End Times. 
• Record Your Odometer Readings.
• Track Your Fuel Purchases.
• Maintain a Detailed Expense Log.
• Keep track of Rest and Meal Breaks. 
• Navigating and Staying Safe on the Road. 
• Use GPS and Map Applications. 
• Monitor Weather Conditions. 
• Communicate With Dispatch.
• Finishing Your Trip Sheet. 
• Summarize Your Trip Data. 
• Double-Check for Accuracy. 
• Submit Your Trip Sheet. 

So, in a nutshell, creating a trip sheet as suggested by Trucker Social streamlines route planning and enhances efficiency, ultimately leading to improved driving experiences and increased productivity for truckers. This not only simplifies your life as a trucker but also helps ensure compliance with regulations and assists in the event of audits or disputes. With a detailed trip sheet in hand, you can focus on what matters most: delivering your cargo safely and efficiently. 

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8 truck driver trip planning tips

By The Schneider Guy

Plain and simple: trip planning is a must for truck drivers. It helps drivers determine where they’re going, when they’re going to get there and if there could be any issues along the way.

We sat down with a Schneider Driver Instructor, Henry Frautschy, to talk about the ins and outs of truck driver trip planning, and here are his tips:

Trip planning tips for truck drivers

1. trip plan every single day.

Make trip planning an integral part of your pre-trip inspection. Eat breakfast, get ready and then do your pre-trip and trip planning. Whether you are hauling a load that you will be dropping off later that day or starting a three-day trip, trip plan.

2. Use multiple resources for directions

Google Maps and Apple Maps: Use these applications using their satellite point-of-view to look at the locations from which you are picking loads up and where you’ll dropping. Make sure you only use these apps when planning your route while trip planning, as cell phones should never be used while driving.

Atlas: Use to clearly get a picture of where you will be driving and to get a broader view of how you are going to get there.

Navigo GPS on the tablet: Use it while driving to navigate where you are going…but do not rely on only this resource.

3. Write down the directions

Try writing down each step of the route on a post-it note, stacking them on top of each other and pulling them off as you complete each step. Some drivers even use dry erase markers to write directions in the corner of their windshield.

4. Look for obstacles along the route that could set you back

Take note of: border crossings, road closures, construction, tolls and small cities you may have to drive through

5. Plan where you are going to take breaks

For 10 hour breaks… Have a primary location and a secondary location planned before you leave. For example, your primary location could be the Schneider Operating Center in Gary, Ind. and your secondary location a rest stop along the route, about an hour outside of Gary. Have an alternate in case things don’t go as planned during your day.

For 30-minute breaks… Before you leave for the day, have an idea in mind of where you plan on stopping, but prepare to be flexible and adjust depending on your location.

6. Check the forecast

Use an app on your phone to see what the weather is like where you are and where you are going. Dial 511 or go on the state’s DOT website to check how the weather is affecting road conditions.

7. Think about where you are traveling to and through

If you know you will be driving through a big city, trip plan in a way so you can drive through it during an off-time to avoid rush hour.

If you are traveling to the East Coast, spend extra time thinking about parking and have back-up plans in case lots are full.

8. Update your ETA throughout the day

If you know you are ahead of or behind schedule, it is vital to communicate with your driver team leader (DTL) about any time adjustments that need to be communicated to the customer via Schneider Customer Service. Always find a safe a legal place to park your truck before calling your leader.

If you are ahead of your original schedule and update your estimated-time-of-arrival (ETA), your next-available-time (NAT) will also need to be updated. Keeping you NAT updated could mean getting another load that day, resulting in more miles and more money for you!

Updating your ETA if you are behind schedule lets the customer and your DTL plan for your delay.

Why should truck drivers trip plan?

Although trip planning takes more time initially, in the long run, it will make you a safer and more efficient driver.

Henry remarked, “A lot of new drivers don’t give trip planning the attention it deserves. They find themselves backed up against the end of their day, and they’re not going to make it home on time or they’re not going to make a delivery on time and they don’t even know it yet because of their lack of trip planning, which should include updating their ETA.”

So, next time you’re thinking about starting your day without taking the time to trip plan, remind yourself of the all headaches you could save yourself if you take 10 minutes to do it.

Looking for more truck driver tips?

Check out more of our truck driving blogs, covering a wide range of topics to help you become a more efficient driver out on the road.

Schneider Guy loves the "Big Orange." He's passionate about the trucking industry and connecting people to rewarding careers within it. He's been the eyes and ears of our company since our founding in 1935, and he's excited to interact with prospective and current Schneider associates through "A Slice of Orange."

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A Beginner’s Guide to Trucker Trip Planning

The ability to deliver hauls efficiently is essential for any trucker. This helps you have a great reputation with your motor carrier and the customer whose freight you are delivering. Not only that, it also helps you get more miles and, as a result, earn more pay.

Over time, you’ll gain many skills that improve your efficiency as a trucker, and one of the most helpful is trip planning. This involves determining your route, where you will stop, and back-up plans for each day of your haul. It can help you stay on track for an on-time delivery and can reduce your stress while on the road.

Benefits of Trucker Trip Planning

Some of the reasons you should plan your routes:

• Trip planning assists you in making deliveries on time, which will help you build a strong reputation as a trucker who can be counted on to meet and exceed expectations. 
• As a trucker, you need to follow hours of service (HOS) regulations, which limit your driving time each day. Planning ahead makes it easier to avoid fines, stress, and disciplinary action.
• You will be able to plan where to stop for healthy food and when to exercise, which can help you avoid health issues.
• Finding a place to park and sleep for the night can be challenging and with trip planning, you’ll have back-ups in place and will know what your options are. This reduces your stress on the road while also helping you avoid HOS violations.
• If and when something unexpected happens during a haul, a strong trip plan makes it easier to adapt so you can stay on track.

How to Trip Plan Effectively

A road atlas is a must.

Many companies have trucker-specific GPS systems in their vehicles and these will give you basic directions to and from your destination. However, a road atlas for truckers is a valuable tool that you shouldn’t discount. It will include information about road restrictions, truck stops, weigh stations, et cetera.

You can also download a phone application with similar information, and this might help you make a trip plan along with your atlas and GPS. That being said, there’s a reason old-school truckers swear by a classic, physical atlas. If you ever find yourself without internet access, you won’t be able to rely on a phone.

Have A Back-Up (Or Even a Few Back-Ups!)

Things in life rarely go exactly as planned, regardless of your career or lifestyle. The best truckers expect the unexpected and are ready to adapt if they need to.

Having a back-up plan is especially important when it comes to where you are going to stop to sleep. If the parking lot is full, you may need to keep driving to find an alternative. If this happens when you’re out of driving hours for the day, it can lead to a stressful situation and you could end up with a fine or other disciplinary action, so plan ahead in case you do need to stop more than once.

Practice Makes Perfect

Any skill takes time to perfect. It can be tempting to compare yourself to experienced drivers, but if you are just getting started, keep in mind that you’ll get better as you spend more time on the road. After every trip, consider what went well and what didn’t and use this to adjust your trip planning method for the next haul.

Ask for Help From Other Truckers

Experienced truck drivers understand what life on the road is like and many are happy to help rookies get the hang of things. Ask for advice from co-workers, trucker friends, or online forum members. The trucking community is an excellent resource for trip planning and other skills new drivers need to learn.

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Trip Planning

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Road Trip Planning Tips For Truckers

Updated December 17th, 2019

A professional driver knows the importance of road trip planning. A well planned trip is profitable. It also raises a trucker’s comfort level and eases the stress level of the day.

Knowing where you’re going to stop for meal breaks, fuel and rest, is absolutely imperative.

Once upon a time, before heavy regulations ruled the roads, smart truck drivers would trip plan around their abilities.

They’d drive until they were tired or hungry and find a safe place to stop.

Now, a trucker must plan around the electronic logbook, hours of service regulations, the trucking company and the demands of the customer.

Consequences of NO Plans For a Trip

• Running out of fuel
• Over fueling before scaling, can cause an overweight issue, adversely affect the driver’s schedule
• No convenient restaurant or truck stop for meals
• No proper rest area or truck stop parking for the night
• Not knowing where repair shops are located, or other essential services
• Potential danger…could end up in unknown, unsafe areas.
• Could cost the driver money if he takes the wrong route (extra miles)
• Driving time (hours of service) wasted and money wasted (extra fuel) and potentially late for a delivery
• Poor planning can damage your driving record. It’s not worth the risk.

15 Handy Planning Tips for Truckers

• When road trip planning, take a look at the total distance of the trip . We like to calculate trips at 38mph. Many drivers may scoff at this calculation. But, if stopping for bathroom breaks, eating, fueling, border time crossing, traffic, weather are taken into consideration, you’ll find it fairly accurate. However, this calculation can vary, depending upon where you are traveling. When traveling in Wyoming, a truck driver can usually put lots of miles behind him, if the weather is good and the traffic is minimal. I-80 is pretty straight forward running. However, a trucker traveling through New York, NY or Charleston, SC, where traffic volume is insane, covers fewer miles in a day.
• For otr or long haul truckers, set a goal for your destination stops daily, that’s realistic, taking into consideration all of the variables…weather expected, traffic delays and volume, mountains vs. flat area, border crossings etc.
• Know where the essential services are located, such as repair or tire shops.
• Trip planning can save money in many ways. For eg., there can be as much as a .10 per gallon price difference from one state to another, so you’ll want to plan on a fuel stop where fuel prices are the best deal.
• Plan around Walmart stops, if you wish to buy groceries, instead of doing the ‘restaurant’ or truck stop scene.
• Road trip planning helps to forecast a ‘realistic’ delivery time for dispatch and/or your customer.
• The good trucking companies will give you a customer profile, which includes a detailed description and map to your delivery point.
• Allow more time than you think you’ll need. Expect the unexpected. Arrive ahead of schedule. There shouldn’t be any need to to rush, speed, risk a violation and/or run out of fuel.
• If you’re an eastern seaboard driver , road trip planning is critical. If you don’t stop to land for the night early in the evening, you may not find a place to park and sleep for the night. Real estate in this part of the U.S. is very expensive, so there aren’t many truck stops and rest areas with lots of good parking. There are also more trucks than parking spots. Choose a good place to stop and plan on landing by around 6pm.
• Many sections of the eastern seaboard, simply aren’t safe. Don’t put yourself and your big rig in a dangerous situation , lost in a high crime area in the dark of night.
• Listen to the weather reports and plan accordingly, no matter where you are trucking. In the winter or storm season, finding yourself stranded, or out of hours, in a storm in New York City or in the middle of the Rockies in British Columbia, could be a very bad situation.
• If you’re running in Nebraska, where the real estate is relatively cheap and plentiful, getting a decent spot in a truck stop even late in the evening, shouldn’t be much of a problem.
• In remote areas, it is extremely important to carry food, essential supplies and extra clothing . These supplies could save your life in the event of a breakdown. Ice road truckers sure know how to pack for survival…their lives depend on it.
• Many professional drivers like steady, dedicated runs because they know where things are located, like good restaurants, parking, good truck stops, repair shops etc.
• No one likes surprises. Dispatchers and trucking company owners appreciate and recognize drivers that take the time to plan, as it shows from their on time deliveries record. When work is a little scarce from time to time, it’ll be the truck driver with good planning skills that consistently delivers on time that’ll get the work when times are a bit ‘lean’.

Tools For Road Trip Planning

Road trip planning is so easy to do and well worthwhile, especially with so many handy tools available today.

Cell phones, GPS, computer and navigational aids, map book (yes, a good old-fashioned map is still one of the essential tools of the trade for drivers), truck routing software, books(exit books) and online resources for truck stop locations, rest areas, groceries and services, are just some of the many tools available to help the driver plan a successful road trip.

The Electronic Logbook and Trip Planning

Electronic logs have forced changes on the trucker. It’s even more important than ever to plan carefully before departing on a trip.

When the on-board recorder says you’re out of hours in ‘no-wheresville’ … no fuel stops for hundreds of miles, no restaurants or food stops, and no rest areas or truck parking until the next state…. you’re find yourself in a very uncomfortable and very dangerous situation……driving tired and illegally, low on fuel and high on stress. Situations like this can even be fatal….pulling over to sleep on the side of the interstate due to poor road trip planning is just plain negligent.

Well-orchestrated road trip planning results in ‘on-time deliveries’ for truck drivers. Remember the saying, ‘Under promise, over deliver’.

Being on time is a trait of a successful trucker.

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How to Plan a Trip Using Trucker Path

By Aldous Aldwin

7 Efficient Trucker Trip Planners to Consider for Drivers

• Last Updated: December 13, 2022

• Strategic trip planners like Waze, SmartTruck Route, TransFlo, and Upper optimize routes for efficiency and compliance.
• Route planning ensures safety, cost-effectiveness, and timely deliveries.
• Practical tips empower truckers to master efficient route planning.

Each day, truckers have a lot of trips to complete. They must meet client shipping deadlines while also maintaining their safety while driving, keeping their truck maintained to ensure top performance. To help you with this, choose any one of the top trucker trip planners.

However, planning a trip for a truck driver is more difficult than just plotting the shortest or fastest route. A trucker’s daily schedule takes into account a number of variables, including adding extra stops and scheduling those stops appropriately to avoid construction and lengthy traffic delays.

We have covered everything you should know about the trucker trip- from truck driver trip planner apps for planning and dispatching delivery to tips for truckers. So, let’s drive your journey easier with trucker trip planners .

Table of Content

Trucker Trip Planners to Find the Best Routes

Why is trucker route planning important.

• Handy Tips for Truckers to Efficiently Plan Routes
• Optimize Your Trucking Routes Using Upper

To make your trucker work easier, using trucker trip planner apps is an ideal choice. The app reduces the workload of the business owner and trucker by providing route planning, GPS navigation, driver alerts, and stops for rest. 

Hence, the apps are there to save you from extra work. We have listed out the 7 best trucker trip planner apps that will help truckers to streamline their driving journey.

Waze is a navigation software that helps to navigate directions. It is a famous GPS because it solves common issues, such as heavy traffic, estimated time of arrival, and fuel efficiency. Also, it helps truckers to know nearby rest areas and gas stations. Waze is a great app that accepts real-time user input. This opens up a variety of advantages to help truck drivers save money, including the ability to drive like a local even in a place they have never been.

Waze features 

• Waze determines speed limits and considers vehicle weight to ensure compliance.
• Real-time traffic reports, updated gas prices, and toll road avoidance help truckers make informed and cost-effective routing decisions.
• Updated gas prices help truckers find affordable fueling stations, while toll road avoidance saves money on toll fees.
• The toll road avoidance feature saves money on toll fees by guiding truckers through alternative routes.

2. TransFlo

TransFlo is another trucker trip-planning app that aids drivers in managing and enhancing load visibility and timely delivery of cargo. It can also provide you with current weather and traffic information. The last feature is load tracking, which keeps track of your movements while you’re transporting loads and relays your whereabouts to the carrier.

TransFlo is a trucking company that supports drivers in managing their daily workload. On their dashboard, TransFlo gives you instant access to crucial details like the weather, operating hours, and truck routing. 

The app facilitates load visibility management. Therefore, the truck driver is aware of fuel efficiency and when the load is becoming overweight. 

3. Trucker Path

In the US, Trucker Path is a popular trucker trip planner. It gives truckers access to petrol outlets, truck stops, weigh stations, and parking spaces that are appropriate for trucks. To track your drivers in real-time, it also incorporates GPS.

You can save additional money by avoiding unpaved roads, erroneous turns, and unnecessary tolls with the use of the best truck GPS app mapping and navigation system.

Trucker Path features

• Weight station information helps truckers comply with regulations and prepare for inspections.
• The mapping and navigation system considers truck-specific restrictions for safe and efficient routing.
• Real-time traffic updates enable rerouting to avoid congestion and delays.
• Weather conditions alert truckers to potential hazards and aid in planning for safe driving.

For drivers of large trucks, it offers a number of practical advantages. According to reports, Sygic is the software that truckers download and use the most. A great deal of useful features, like speed limit and camera alerts, emission zone routings, truck stops, extra mileage tracking, police stations, and speed zones, are included in this trucker trip planner app.

The offline map can also take into account the characteristics of your particular truck, which you can import from Google Maps. Finally, it interfaces well with the most important fleet management tools.

• Offline maps that consider truck characteristics
• Warnings about speed limits and speed cameras
• Truck stops, checkpoints, and speed limits
• Routing emissions zones
• Import Google Maps; key fleet management systems are integrated

5. SmartTruck Route

The trucking business has its own software called SmartTruck Route. By putting in your destination or utilizing the voice prompt on the app, you can rapidly find truck routes.

It enables you to recognize low bridges, stay away from neighborhoods, and avoid taking the wrong path, which would add stress and unnecessary miles.

For the most accurate route planning, you can optionally provide precise truck specifications. Both iOS and Android users can download the software. It aids trucks in avoiding tight curves, one-way streets, and congested areas. 

SmartTruck Route features

• Voice navigation provides hands-free guidance for drivers on their routes.
• Speed limit warning alerts truckers when they exceed the legal speed limit.
• Weight scale information helps drivers locate nearby weigh stations for compliance.
• Alternative route options enable truckers to choose the most suitable paths based on their preferences and road conditions.

Truckers can choose from a variety of products from Garmin that are packed with time and money-saving capabilities. You can search for your preferred truck stops by brand or feature. The ordinary trucker may save time and money thanks to features on Garmin. This app provides real-time alerts for popular truck routes and truck-friendly parking locations, along with directions, and you can filter the information by brand or feature.

• Specific truck routing considers vehicle dimensions and restrictions for optimized routes.
• Load-to-dock directions guide drivers efficiently within complex delivery areas.
• Often-used truck routes assist in navigating familiar paths quickly.
• Real-time driver warnings offer alerts for upcoming hazards and road conditions.
• Parking space information helps truckers locate suitable spots for their vehicles.

7. COPILOT Truck

Integration with most fleet management solutions is possible with COPILOT Truck. Trips can be tailored based on your individual cargo, vehicle, and required number of stops.

You can prevent delays by using the real-time traffic information provided by this app. By using COPILOT Truck’s PC*MILER routing, low bridges and other truck-restricted loads can be avoided. Spending less time on off-route miles will help you avoid fines, use less fuel, and save money.

This trucker-specific GPS app has important driver-specific features and can work with fleet management software.

• With routing, low bridges and truck-restricted highways can be avoided.
• With its non-distracting interior design, the cab helps you maintain your focus on the road.
• Trips should be optimized for the particular vehicle, load, and number of stops.
• Spending less will help you avoid fines and save on petrol.
• Spending less time on off-route kilometers will help you avoid fines and use less fuel.
• Utilize current traffic information to avoid delays, obtain a precise ETA, and deliver packages on time.

It is crucial to understand why effective trip planning for truck drivers is crucial before going into the specifics. Both truck drivers and business owners can benefit from a variety of resources to complete deliveries on time and at the correct destination. 

Planning is essential since it affects your delivery business, the time, money, resources, and the reputation of your drivers for delivering at a certain time. Here’s the importance of trucker route planning.

1. Efficiency

Effective route planning reduces needless side trips and guarantees that trucks follow the shortest and fastest routes to their destinations. This shortens the distance to be traveled, saves fuel, and keeps the car in better condition. As a result, truckers may go farther in less time, increasing their output and income.

2. Compliance

Regulations controlling truck size, weight restrictions, and the transportation of hazardous products vary between states and regions. These elements are taken into account by route planning software designed specifically for trucks , which directs truckers away from roads where they might contravene these laws. Drivers may keep their cars in good condition and avoid expensive penalties, legal issues, and other problems by following these regulations.

Trucker route planners take into account safety factors, including low bridges, routes with weight restrictions, and potentially dangerous situations like abrupt turns or steep inclines. With this proactive strategy, drivers are guided away from routes that can endanger the structural integrity of their vehicles or the safety of other road users.

4. Time management

Truckers can modify their routes as necessary thanks to accurate route planning that takes into account real-time traffic statistics and information about road closures. Drivers may keep to their timetables and make deliveries on time by avoiding crowded regions and choosing alternate routes.

5. Cost reduction

Numerous ways that good route planning results in cost savings. Opting for more fuel-efficient routes and avoiding toll roads can both dramatically lower operational costs. A trucking dispatch software is a technological solution that helps trucking companies reduce their business operational costs. Furthermore, route planners with up-to-date fuel prices assist truckers in locating the most cost-effective filling stations, resulting in immediate cost savings.

Handy Tips for Truckers to Efficiently Plan Routes  

1. know your vehicle.

Recognize your truck’s dimensions, weight, and cargo capacity. This knowledge is essential for choosing paths that adhere to rules and avoid barriers.

2. Check traffic and road conditions

Before you get on the road, examine the current traffic situation and the state of the roads. By doing this, you can avoid traffic jams, collisions, and road closures that might cause delays.

3. Avoid rush hours

Plan your route to avoid congested times if you can. This lessens the stress and delays brought on by dense traffic.

4. Study delivery and pickup locations

Become familiar with the delivery and pickup areas. It is time and effort-saving to be aware of information like entry points, parking options, and load-to-dock directions.

5. Keep up with regulations

Research the trucking laws in the states and regions you’ll be passing through. This guarantees observance and averts legal problems.

Optimize Your Trucking Routes Using Upper 

Upper is the all-in-one trucker trip planner you’ve been waiting for. Upper is a route optimization software that enables you to establish speed limits, add more stops, and optimize routes. It also enables curbside delivery.

With Upper, you can also modify your stops and accommodate consumers’ requests for priority service. Additionally, since Upper enables automated updates about delivery status, it never leaves your clients waiting for too long. Additionally, you can alter the default text of notifications whenever you wish to. Upper will make sure you arrive at your location without incident or deliver packages with digital proof in addition to designing truck routes.

Plan Unlimited Routes for Your Trips on Upper

Don’t rely on ordinary apps for finding truck routes. Instead, get Upper to create the most efficient routes for your trip without any manual dependencies.

Yes, Google Maps will help you to check the routes, estimate times of reaching, and directions for the destination. However, it is limited to that as it does not allow optimized routes to avoid heavy traffics. If they want to step up a little bit and plan routes for a team of drivers, Upper is a great option as well.

You can map and optimize routes by using the trucker trip planning app. You can check the routes by using GPS and plan the fastest routes for the truck drivers.

Yes, every trucker trip planner provides GPS, which helps truckers to navigate the directions. Moreover, it helps them to plan in advance to take the shortest route during rush hour.

To track live locations, an online navigation system is a good option. However, route planning software will be an ideal choice for truckers as it will help you to find the best route and stops.

Truck driver trip planning comes with consequences as well. Not only will a lack of trip planning lead to more stress, fewer profits, and diminished peace of mind, but it also creates a long list of specific problems:

• Being unable to find food and rest stops
• Spending hours without rest
• Getting stuck in dangerous places overnight
• Missing important truck stops

Truck drivers prioritize planning trips because it facilitates easy route planning. Start using Upper, though, if you want to make the path travel smartly and effectively. This is due to the fact that bad route planning cannot always create delays. In the event that you work in distribution or logistics, the route planner can serve as your virtual assistant.

Therefore, let Upper assist you in locating the most effective ways and prevent needless worry. Join our 7 days free trial today to get started traveling.

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.

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