Best GPS for Truck Drivers
Top GPS Units for Truckers
Having a good GPS unit is crucial to finding your way to your next destination. Top-quality Global Positioning Systems have several great features such as weather, lifetime maps, live traffic updates, dashcams, and more.
Your GPS should have a few key features to make it worth buying. Here’s a list of the features and functions your GPS should have.
Mapping
The most important function is the mapping. Many of these GPS units have lifetime maps. Lifetime maps update your map to make sure your routes are sure to reflect the most up-to-date maps.
Some GPS’s have preloaded popular points of interest. Points of interest are view ratings for travel points of interest, such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions, along your route or near your destination.
The nicer GPS units from Garmin, TomTom, and Rand McNally have a customized truck routing feature. Customize routes are customizable by height, weight, length, width, and hazardous materials and find truck-preferred routes suitable for the size and weight of your truck.
Live Traffic & Weather Alerts
Connect to Wi-Fi for local search, fuel prices, and live traffic conditions. Avoid sudden braking with alerts for imminent traffic ahead. It will help you to drive safer knowing accident hotspots, areas where accidents are more common. See alerts on your GPS that show how far the stopped traffic or accident hotspots are.
Live weather shows current conditions and forecasts, including precipitation and wind speed.
Garmin has an upgrade you can purchase with premium content, such as advanced weather radar data and images from traffic cameras within your app.
ELD Compliant
According to the FMCSA’s ELD mandate you have to have your ELD synchronized with your truck’s engine to be in compliance. However, some GPS units like the Garmin dezl 580 and 780 LMT-S are also compatible with the subscription-free Garmin eLog compliant ELD (sold separately), which automatically tracks and records Hours of Service (HOS)
The TND 740 comes preloaded with the Rand McNally DriverConnect app, so when you decide to purchase a compliant Rand McNally ELD, you’ll be ready to go.
Connectivity – Bluetooth & Wifi
Connect your Bluetooth devices, such as your smartphone, for hands-free calling through its integrated microphone and extra-loud speakers that are easy-to-hear even over loud road noise. When paired with your smartphone, text messages and other app alerts show right on your GPS display.
Here’s a list of the 6 best GPS units
#6 Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute Truck Navigation GPS with 7″ HD Vibrant Display
The Rand McNally TND 740 comes with an expanded range of Wi-Fi connected services, such as weather and fuel prices. The device has a 7″ vibrant, high-definition screen, that comes with an easy-to-use interface for drivers and improved maps. The GPS is equipped with a Quad-core processor and twice storage space for even faster route calculations.
The IntelliRoute TND 740 offers advanced lane guidance to be prepared for an approaching turn or heading through a complicated intersection. This GPS comprises 35% more truck routing information than other GPS units and incorporates hours of testing by truck drivers.
The TND 740 comes preloaded with the Rand McNally DriverConnect app, so when you decide to purchase a compliant Rand McNally ELD, you’ll be ready to go.
- 7″ HD Vibrant Display GPS Vehicle Navigation System
- Truck-Specific Routing & FREE Lifetime Map Updates
- Audio Out Capability & Customizable Warnings
- Advanced Lane Guidance & Lane Assist
- Over-the-air Map Updates
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
#5 Tomtom Trucker 520 5-Inch Gps Navigation Device For Trucks With Wi-Fi Connectivity, Smartphone Services, And Free Lifetime Traffic And Maps Of North America
The TomTom TRUCKER 520 is a GPS navigation device specifically developed to help truckers get to their destination more efficiently. The new GPS device, which comes in two sizes (5” and 6”), and comes with a Lifetime TomTom Truck Maps subscription for the US and Canada.
Now updatable over Wi-Fi, as well as tailored routing which guides drivers to carefully selected points of interest (POIs) for trucks such as fuel stops and travel centers.
The TomTom TRUCKER is compatible with Siri voice recognition software and Google Now – allowing truckers to access their personal assistant with their smartphone safely tucked away.
- 5-inch touchscreen: 5 inches fully interactive truck GPS navigation Device
- Lifetime truck maps: always drive with the latest truck maps for USA and Canada at no cost Plus 1500+ travel center point’s and other truck-related poi’s
- Lifetime traffic: Get intelligent routes that avoid traffic in real-time
- Smartphone services: activate Live services like traffic by connecting to your smartphone
- Hands-free: designed to deliver high quality, hands-free calling and reads messages aloud from your smartphone; Compatible with Siri or Google now
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
#4 TomTom Trucker 620 6-Inch GPS Navigation Device for Trucks with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Smartphone Services, and Free Lifetime Traffic and Maps of North America
TomTom Trucker 620 helps you to get the most out of your driving time, through truck-specific routing and world-class TomTom Traffic information.
Wi-Fi connectivity lets you update without a computer. Voice-controlled hands-free calling and smartphone messages offer connectivity with safety. Free lifetime truck maps and traffic updates are included.
Get intelligent routes that avoid traffic in real-time and always drive with the latest truck maps for the USA and Canada at no cost.
- 6 Inch Touchscreen: 6 fully interactive truck GPS navigation device
- Lifetime truck maps: always drive with the latest truck maps for USA and Canada at no cost Plus 1500+ travel center poi’s and other truck-related poi’s
- Lifetime traffic: Get intelligent routes that avoid traffic in real-time. Battery lifetime Up to 1 hour
- Smartphone Services: Activate live services like traffic by connecting to your smartphone
- Hands-Free: Designed to deliver high quality, hands-free calling and reads messages aloud from your smartphone; Compatible with Siri or Google now
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
#3 Garmin dezl 580 LMT-S, Truck GPS Navigator with 5-inch Display, Free Lifetime Map Updates, Live Traffic and Weather
The Garmin dēzl 580 LMT-S truck navigator features customized truck routing for the size and weight of your truck. It also provides helpful, predictive route warnings for dangerous curves, steep grades, bridge heights, weight limits and more. It includes a Truck & Trailer Services directory plus Easy Break Planning with timely notifications and suggestions for nearby hotels, restaurants, and parking.
Control dēzl with your voice, and enjoy Bluetooth hands-free calling and built-in Wi-Fi for easy map and software updates. It’s also compatible with Garmin eLog compliant ELD, which automatically records Hours of Service.
The dēzl 580 is preloaded with detailed maps of North America plus free lifetime map updates. Get live traffic and weather forecasts when you pair dēzl with a smartphone running the free Smartphone Link app. Easy Route Shaping lets you easily change your route to include preferred roads or cities just by touching the screen.
- 5.0” truck navigator with maps of North America, Plus free lifetime map updates and free Live traffic
- Customized truck routing for the size and weight of your truck, Plus alerts for upcoming bridge heights, weight limits
- Easy break planning with timely notifications for breaks, Plus up ahead road signs to suggest nearby restaurants, rest areas
- Truck & trailer services directory; even filter truck stops by brand or amenity such as “flying J” or “Showers”
- Control dēzl with your voice, and enjoy Bluetooth hands-free calling and built-in Wi-Fi for easy map. This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows XP or newer and Mac OS X 10.4 or later
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
#2 Garmin dēzl 780 LMT-S GPS Truck Navigator With 7-inch Display, Free Lifetime Map Updates, Live Traffic and Weather
For big rig drivers who want a big-screen navigator to match, our Dezl 780 LMT-S GPS truck navigator with its 7” touchscreen is the ideal road companion. In addition to its premium mapping, voice-controlled navigation, and advanced connectivity features, it comes with a powered magnetic mount for secure attachment and easy removal when you exit the cab.
Stay connected, alert and on track for the long haul with the Garmin Dezl 780 LMT-S. Map updates included; preloaded street maps for North America with coverage of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
- Premium 7” truck navigator with a powered magnetic mount and includes map updates
- Free live services, such as traffic and weather, when you download the free Smartphone Link app on your compatible smartphone. Display size- 6.0 W x 3.5 H (15.2 x 8.9 cm); 6.95 Inch (17.7 cm)
- Custom truck routing3 for the size, load, and weight of your truck plus alerts for upcoming bridge heights, sharp curves, steep grades and more
- Easy Break Planning with timely notifications plus a Truck & Trailer Services directory, searchable by brand or amenity (e.g., “Flying J” or “showers”)
- Control dēzl 780 with your voice, and enjoy Bluetooth hands-free calling, smart notifications (via the free Smartphone Link app) and built-in Wi-Fi for easy map and software updates without a computer
- Works with Garmin eLog compliant ELD (sold separately) for subscription-free Hours of Service (HOS) recording with no smartphone or tablet required
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
#1 Garmin dēzlCam 785 LMT-S GPS Truck Navigator With 7-inch Display, Free Lifetime Map Updates, Live Traffic and Weather with Built-in Dash Cam
For big rig drivers who want a big-screen navigator to match, the Garmin dēzlCam™ 785 LMT-S GPS truck navigator with its 7” touchscreen is the ideal road companion. In addition to its premium mapping, voice-controlled navigation, and advanced connectivity features, it comes with a built-in dash cam to automatically record your drive and save video of incidents.
The integrated camera provides driver assistance features to encourage safer driving. Plus, a powered magnetic mount allows secure attachment and easy removal when you exit the cab. Stay connected, alert and on track for the long haul with dēzlCam 785 LMT-S.
- All-in-one 7” truck navigator with powered magnetic mount plus built-in dash cam to record your drive and enable driver awareness features such as forward collision and lane departure warnings1
- Custom truck routing² for the size, load, and weight of your truck plus alerts for upcoming bridge heights, steep grades and more
- Free live services, such as traffic and weather, when you download the free Smartphone Link app on your compatible smartphone
- Easy Break Planning with timely notifications plus a Truck & Trailer Services directory, searchable by brand or amenity (e.g., “Flying J” or “showers”)
- Control dēzlCam with your voice, and enjoy Bluetooth hands-free calling, smart notifications (via the free Smartphone Link app) and built-in Wi-Fi for easy map and software updates without a computer
- Works with Garmin eLog compliant ELD (sold separately) for subscription-free Hours of Service (HOS) recording with no smartphone or tablet required
>>Click for Pricing on Amazon
Conclusion
Coming in as our top GPS for truckers is the Gamin dezlCam 785 LMT-S. The Garmin 785 DezlCam has tons of great features and a premium 7” screen and built-in dashcam. The feature includes customized truck routing, free live services, voice command, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, easy break planning, and more!
If you have a favorite GPS unit that you think we missed comment below. We love hearing your feedback.
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