You’ve probably heard the phrase, “There’s an app for that.” While it’s cliché, it’s true. Believe it or not, there’s even an app for proposing marriage called “Will You Marry Me?” Ridiculous apps aside, smartphones have become essential parts of our lives, both personally and at work. And you, truck driver, are no exception. One survey found that a staggering 95% of truckers have smartphones!
Fortunately for Road Warriors, there are several mobile apps that can make life on the road a lot easier. Several of these apps were even built specifically for commercial drivers! Whether you drive for a company like Easley Transportation or operate your own truck, these apps can save time, money, and lives. Here’s a look at the 5 free mobile apps that we think every truck driver should have on their phone.
WARNING: Never use your mobile device while driving. This article does not endorse the usage of a cell phone/mobile device in any way while operating a motor vehicle.
#1. Truckers Against Trafficking
As a commercial driver, it’s your responsibility to be a protector of the roadways. Human trafficking is an issue that plagues every city and exploits every highway – unless you fight it. The TAT Mobile App puts priceless resources at your fingertips so that you can be equipped to help victims of modern-day slavery.
Noteworthy Features:
- Ability to call/text and report suspicious behavior
- Watch training videos and listen to podcasts
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#2. The Weather Channel
Your built-in weather app might be good for telling the temperature and basic forecast information. However, truck drivers can benefit greatly from advanced features such as radar and wind speeds. The ability to plan for inclement weather can largely increase your safety on the road. The Weather Channel app will give you a wide range of resources at no cost (the free version includes ads – you can pay to upgrade, if you like). The app also features widgets that can be placed on your phone’s home screen to give you quick updates on weather conditions.
Noteworthy Features:
- Future radar up to 6 hours
- Local weather alerts
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#3. MyFitnessPal
Health and fitness are notoriously known to be a struggle for many truck drivers. You only get one body, and the MyFitnessPal app is here to help you (and 200 million other users) take better care of it! MyFitnessPal will equip you with nutrition tracking, workouts, healthy recipes, and so much more! Wherever you are on your personal fitness journey, this free app can propel you to the next level.
Noteworthy Features:
- Calorie Logging
- Bodyweight Workout Routines
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#4. Trucker Path
This app has it all. It’s used by more than a million truckers for everything ranging from parking availability to weight stations. There’s a reason that Trucker Path is the most-used app specifically designed for truck drivers. For owner-operators, it’s a fantastic way to find the best truck stops and fuel prices. Company drivers can benefit from various features such as parking availability and online forums.
Noteworthy Features:
- Trucker forum
- Map interface with truck stops, parking, fuel, dining, and more
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#5. Audiobooks.com
If you’re looking to enrich your mind during your downtime, try listening to audiobooks and podcasts with the Audiobooks.com app. Audiobooks.com includes over 10,000 free audiobooks and 100 million+ podcast episodes. By installing the Audiobooks.com app, your phone instantly becomes a library of knowledge and entertainment. The app is free to install and contains a vast library of free audiobooks/podcasts. You can also choose to purchase audiobooks within the app.
Noteworthy Features:
- Download audiobooks for offline listening
- Browse titles by genre
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Truck drivers have quick access to digital tools and resources like never before. Though there are dozens of more apps to benefit from, the 5 listed above are a great way to get started.
What mobile apps have helped you in your journey as a truck driver? Let us know in the comment section below so that we can spread the word with other truckers!
Disclaimer: This is an independent blog post solely for the purpose of informing truck drivers. All of the above apps are free, and Easley Transportation does not receive any commission if you download them. Apps may include optional in-app purchases.