Google Maps for Truck Routing: Can You Do It? [+How It Works]

In trucking and delivery logistics, having a reliable navigation app is crucial. These apps give directions and important info about safe routes for big trucks. 

They help drivers avoid problems like low bridges and weight limits, making deliveries smoother and faster.

Out of the many navigation tools out there, Google Maps is a favorite for its easy-to-use design and availability. It's great for general navigation with lots of helpful features.

But when it comes to trucking, there are special things to think about. This article looks into whether Google Maps is good enough for truck drivers or if tools like eLogii, made just for them, might be better.

Understanding Truck Drivers' Needs

Truck driving is different from regular commuting, especially when it comes to finding the right routes. Understanding these special needs is key to figuring out if navigation apps like Google Maps work well for truckers.

For truckers, planning routes is super important. Trucks can't go just anywhere because of their size and weight.

So, a good navigation app for trucks has to know about specific rules, like height and weight limits, and show routes that are okay for big vehicles. Ignoring these rules can cause big problems with deliveries and even legal troubles.

Another important thing is getting updates on traffic in real time. Truckers and dispatchers usually have tight schedules, so they need to know if there are any traffic jams, accidents, or roadwork that could slow them down. Being able to change routes quickly is important for truckers.

Also, knowing about road closures is a big deal. If a road is closed, it can mess up a truck's plans more than it would for a regular car. Finding another way that works for a big truck can be tricky.

And lastly, knowing about toll roads is key. To plan the cheapest route, truck drivers and their managers need to know where toll roads are and how much they cost.

Using Google Maps for Truck Navigation

Google Maps is well-known for being easy to use and having lots of info. But when it comes to truck navigation, we need to check if it works well for trucks.

Capabilities for Truck Drivers

Google Maps is great for planning routes for regular cars, with live traffic updates and options to change routes. But it's not specialized for big trucks like some other apps. 

It doesn't offer truck-specific guidance, like avoiding roads with weight limits or low bridges, which truckers need.

Contrast with Specialized Truck GPS Apps

When you compare Google Maps to apps made just for trucks, it doesn't stack up as well. Specialized truck navigation apps are made with truckers in mind. They have features like making routes specific to a truck's size and weight, warning about roads that trucks can't go on, and showing where truck parking is available.

These apps also give a lot of info about toll roads that are just for trucks, so drivers can plan their costs better.

Dynamic Traffic Updates and Traffic Info

Google Maps shines with its live traffic updates, providing instant details on traffic jams, accidents, and road shutdowns. This real-time data is crucial for planning routes and dodging hold-ups.

Although Google Maps is strong for regular navigation, its absence of features tailored to trucks makes it less fitting for truck drivers compared to specialized truck GPS apps. Truckers might use Google Maps for quick checks, but for thorough route planning and navigation, dedicated truck GPS apps are better suited.

Shortcomings of Google Maps for Truckers

Google Maps, although widely used for navigation, doesn't cater to truck drivers' needs, creating hurdles for commercial vehicle travel.

A major issue is the lack of truck-specific route guidance. Unlike dedicated truck apps, Google Maps doesn't factor in truck height, weight, or length restrictions. This can lead truckers into trouble with low bridges or weight-restricted roads, causing legal and safety concerns.

Moreover, it's tough for truckers to find suitable parking spots for resting. Truck drivers, especially on lengthy trips, can face significant hassles due to this.

For commercial vehicles, navigating efficiently and safely means mapping out routes that work for big rigs and following transportation regulations. The difficulties of using Google Maps for this include:

• Insufficient Route Customization. Google Maps lacks the option to customize routes based on a truck's specific dimensions and weight, crucial for safe navigation.
• Real-time Updates Not Tailored for Trucks. While Google Maps provides real-time traffic updates, they aren't tailored for trucks. This means incidents on truck routes may not receive as detailed or readily available information.
• Challenges in Compliance and Efficiency Planning. Google Maps lacks features to locate truck-specific amenities and ensure compliance with driving regulations, making it difficult for truck drivers to plan efficient and regulation-compliant routes.

While Google Maps excels in general navigation, its limitations in meeting the unique needs of truckers and commercial vehicles make it less than ideal for professional truck routing. Truck drivers might need to rely on extra resources or specialized apps to address these gaps for a more comprehensive navigation solution.

Options Beyond Google Maps for Truckers

Although Google Maps is great for everyday navigation, truckers need more specialized tools. Several alternatives in the market focus specifically on truckers' needs. These offer features that tackle the unique challenges of truck navigation.

Apart from mobile apps, there are standalone GPS devices designed just for trucks. Companies like Garmin provide dedicated truck GPS units equipped with features customized for commercial vehicle drivers.

In the upcoming sections, we'll delve into mobile app choices for truck navigation and compare their features, ease of use, and performance.

eLogii Route Optimization Software

eLogii emerges as a robust solution tailored explicitly to tackle the intricate requirements of delivery teams. It provides features that surpass Google Maps in various crucial aspects.

Features of eLogii:

• Enhanced Route Optimization. eLogii shines in generating the most optimized routes for multiple stops, a significant advantage for delivery teams handling numerous deliveries.
• Live Tracking Capability. eLogii offers real-time tracking of deliveries and drivers, ensuring dispatchers and customers are constantly informed about their delivery statuses. This level of transparency surpasses what's available in Google Maps.
• Proof of Delivery. eLogii captures proof of delivery, including signatures and photos, a vital feature for delivery businesses that isn't offered in Google Maps.
• Same-day re-optimization. In contrast to Google Maps, eLogii offers same-day re-optimization, dynamically adjusting routes in real time. Should a driver face an unforeseen roadblock or delay, the app promptly recalculates the most optimal route.
• Task/Delivery priority setting. Assess the importance of tasks relative to each other, emphasizing priority tasks to increase the likelihood of completion.

Benefits over Google Maps:

• Increased Productivity. eLogii's optimized routing not only saves time and fuel but also boosts delivery efficiency compared to traditional routes on Google Maps.
• Enhanced Customer Experience. Real-time tracking and precise ETAs keep customers updated on their delivery status, leading to higher satisfaction levels.
• User-Friendly Design. eLogii boasts an intuitive interface, simplifying delivery management and tracking for teams with minimal training required.
• Integration Flexibility. The app seamlessly integrates with various delivery tools and systems, streamlining workflow processes.

In conclusion, eLogii presents a complete array of features tailored for delivery teams. That positions it as a superior option to Google Maps for businesses prioritizing delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Waze

Waze stands out as a popular navigation app known for its innovative approach to travel and routing, utilizing a community-driven platform. While it shares similarities with Google Maps, Waze offers unique advantages and features.

Waze features:

1. Community-Driven Updates. Waze relies on user-generated content, with drivers reporting real-time traffic conditions, road hazards, police presence, and accidents.
2. Real-Time Traffic Alerts. The app excels in providing live traffic updates to help drivers avoid congestion and delays, ensuring timely arrivals.
3. Route Customization. Waze offers options to customize routes, enabling users to avoid tolls, highways, or specific road types, although these aren't tailored for trucks.
4. Speed Limit Alerts. Waze notifies drivers of speed limits and alerts them if they exceed them, enhancing road safety.
5. Social Integration. Users can share their ETA and routes with contacts, facilitating coordination with teams or clients.

Advantages over Google Maps:

1. Current Information. Waze's community-driven approach ensures incredibly up-to-date information, potentially surpassing Google Maps in accuracy.
2. Traffic Jam Avoidance. Waze's real-time traffic updates help drivers steer clear of congestion, potentially saving time, especially for those with tight schedules.
3. User Interaction. Waze's interactive platform fosters a dynamic and engaging navigation experience.
4. Customization and Alerts. While Google Maps also provides traffic updates and speed limit information, Waze's user-friendly interface and customization options offer a more personalized navigation experience.

Besides, it's crucial to recognize that, like Google Maps, Waze isn't tailored for truck navigation. It lacks truck-specific functionalities like alerts for height and weight restrictions, essential for truck drivers.

While Waze excels in general navigation and traffic avoidance, truck drivers may need to complement it with additional tools or apps to ensure comprehensive truck-specific navigation.

Trucker Path

Trucker Path is an app exclusively crafted to meet the specialized requirements of truckers, providing a range of features tailored specifically for those in the trucking industry. This focus grants it a clear advantage over broader navigation tools such as Google Maps.

Features of Trucker Path:

1. Truck-Specific GPS Navigation. Trucker Path generates routes tailored for trucks, considering truck restrictions like bridge heights, weight limits, and roads off-limits to trucks.
2. Truck Stop Information. The app provides comprehensive details about truck stops, including amenities, fuel prices, and parking availability, crucial for long-haul truckers.
3. Weigh Station Status. Users receive real-time updates on weigh station statuses, aiding in more efficient stop planning.
4. Load Board. Trucker Path's unique feature connects drivers with available loads, assisting in the logistics aspect of trucking.
5. Community Feedback. Similar to Waze, Trucker Path fosters a strong community aspect, with users offering updates and reviews on truck stops, weigh stations, and parking areas.

Advantages over Google Maps:

1. Tailored for Truckers. Trucker Path is specifically designed for truckers, providing information pertinent to large commercial vehicles, unlike Google Maps.
2. Comprehensive Truck Stop Information. Detailed truck stop information helps drivers plan breaks and refueling stops, a feature absent in Google Maps.
3. Real-Time Weigh Station Updates. This feature saves significant time and hassle for truck drivers, aiding in more effective route planning.
4. Load Matching. The Load Board feature adds an extra dimension of utility, connecting independent truckers or those seeking additional work.
5. Community Insights. The app's community-driven approach offers insights and recommendations from fellow truckers, potentially more tailored and relevant than general information on Google Maps

Trucker Path provides a variety of features tailored specifically to meet the unique requirements of truck drivers, rendering it a more appropriate navigation and logistics solution for individuals in the trucking industry when compared to Google Maps.

Sygic 

Sygic is a GPS navigation app that provides a specialized version designed specifically for truck drivers, offering features customized for the requirements of navigating large vehicles. Its emphasis on commercial driving renders it an attractive alternative to Google Maps for truckers.

Features of Sygic:

1. Truck-Specific Routing. Sygic's truck GPS navigation takes into account vehicle size, weight, cargo type, and road restrictions to provide safe and legal routes for trucks.
2. Offline Maps. The app allows users to download maps for offline use, ensuring navigation availability even in areas with poor cellular reception.
3. Dynamic Lane Guidance. This feature assists drivers in making safe lane changes and navigating complex intersections, particularly beneficial for large vehicles.
4. Parking and Points of Interest. Sygic includes detailed information on truck-specific points of interest, such as parking spots, fuel stations, and rest areas suitable for trucks.
5. Traffic and Speed Camera Alerts. The app provides real-time traffic updates and alerts for speed cameras, contributing to safe and efficient driving.

Advantages over Google Maps:

1. Tailored Truck Routes. Sygic's focus on truck-specific routing is a significant advantage over Google Maps, which lacks truck-specific route planning.
2. Offline Navigation Capability. The ability to use maps offline is crucial for truck drivers who frequently travel in areas with spotty cellular coverage, a feature unavailable in Google Maps.
3. Detailed Lane Guidance. Sygic's dynamic lane guidance aids truck drivers in navigating complex roadways and interchanges safely.
4. Truck-Centric Points of Interest. The comprehensive information on truck-friendly amenities streamlines route planning for truckers compared to the general information provided by Google Maps.
5. Traffic and Safety Alerts. While Google Maps offers traffic updates, Sygic's extra focus on speed camera alerts helps truck drivers avoid tickets and drive more safely.

Sygic offers a range of features specifically tailored for truck drivers. It makes it a more suitable choice for those requiring detailed, truck-specific navigation and route planning capabilities compared to the more general approach of Google Maps.

Key Considerations for Truckers

Efficient route planning and selecting the appropriate GPS app are essential for successful long-haul and commercial trucking.

Route planning plays a critical role. This is particularly true in long-haul trucking. It requires the identification of the most efficient routes while factoring in truck-specific limitations, fuel economy, delivery schedules, and adherence to regulations.

Optimal route planning not only results in time and cost savings but also minimizes vehicle wear, enhances safety, and increases driver satisfaction.

When picking a truck GPS app, consider:

• Compatibility: Make sure the app works well on your device (Android/iOS).
• Ease of Use: Look for an app with a simple and easy-to-use interface.
• Features: Check if the app has all the features you need, and watch out for any limitations based on your device.

Key factors for choosing a navigation app:

• Pricing: Find a balance between affordability and the features you need.
• Truck-Specific Features: Make sure the app provides truck-specific information to ensure accurate routes and compliance.
• Real-Time Updates: Accurate updates are essential for staying informed about traffic and road conditions.
• Offline Access: Offline capabilities are important, especially in areas with poor network coverage.
• Customer Support and Updates: Choose an app that offers regular updates and reliable customer support.
• Integration: Consider apps that integrate well with other tools to streamline logistics operations.

Selecting the right app means finding one that meets your needs for efficient and safe navigation, while also being easy to use and affordable.

Selecting the Best Tools for Truckers

Although Google Maps serves well for everyday navigation, its inadequacies in truck-specific routing, such as the absence of tailored route guidance and parking details, diminish its suitability for professional trucking.

For truckers, selecting the appropriate navigation tool is paramount for effective and safe routing. It should provide comprehensive route planning, live updates, and adherence to truck-specific regulations.

eLogii caters to the distinct requirements of truck routing, offering features like optimized route planning, live tracking, and delivery coordination. Its intuitive interface makes it a pragmatic option for both truck drivers and dispatchers.