If you’re a truck driver who’s been relying on his smartphone’s navigation apps for some time, we advise you to also take a good look at some truck GPS units which might make your life easier in the long term. The best truck GPS offers updated maps that feature all the specific points of interest for a truck driver, calculating the best routes for trucks and notifying you about all the necessary road regulations and restrictions on the way.
Basically, the best truck GPS systems are specifically customized to help you as a professional truck driver, and not just as any vehicle driver on the road. That’s a big plus. Now, if you’re looking for some of the top truck GPS units on the market and are having a hard time deciding on one, we’ve got you covered. Ready to go through the top-rated truck GPS systems on our list?
Table of Contents
Comparison of 7 Best Truck GPS in 2020
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Garmin dezl 580 |
| Check Price |
 | Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute |
| Check Price |
 | TomTom Trucker 620 |
| Check Price |
 | TomTom Go 52 |
| Check Price |
 | SIXGO GPS Navigation for Car |
| Check Price |
 | Xgody GPS Navigation for Car Truck |
| Check Price |
 | LONGRUF GPS Navigation for Car |
| Check Price |
Top 7 Best Truck GPS Reviews in 2020
As you’re about to see, we’ve showcased 7 top truck GPS units below, and all of them are featuring customizable truck modes. From 5-inch displays to huge 9-inch touch screens, we’ve taken a good look at them and we’ll help you make a choice on which one is better for you.
Almost all of them feature lifetime maps updates, WI-FI and Bluetooth modules, and interactive maps with voiced notifications and alerts. Some of them even boast some entertainment features. As you are about to see, some of the truck GPS units featured below also have smartphone integration, meaning you can connect them to your smartphone and take phone calls or read messages.
We’re not saying this 5-inch Garmin dezl 580 LMT-S is the best GPS for truck, but it is very close to that, and this is why you should choose it. It comes with a free lifetime map update which also offers live traffic. It’s got voice control and a built-in WI-FI.
You can also use it to make calls through Bluetooth. We’re saying that it is a very good GPS for trucks because it enables you to plan your route based on the size and weight of your vehicle. It also knows the bridge heights and weight limits and alerts you accordingly along your route.
All the truck stops on the map are filtered by their different amenities, you know which one has got a shower, for example. Of course, you can program it to notify you when you need to take your break, and don’t cheat on your breaks! Anyways, this is a sum-up:
- Free lifetime updates of maps and live traffic
- It can customize truck routing according to your needs
- It’s got Bluetooth and built-in WI-FI adapter
- It comes with an external memory slot
- It’s got voice control
- The background information that shows on the display can be quite distracting (for example, the restaurants and food icons take up a too-large portion of your screen when you need it for something else)
- The voice control is kind of hilarious (but this is a problem with almost any advanced car navigation systems)
Also Read: Best Marine GPS Systems in 2020 – Accurate, Reliable and Affordable
2. Rand McNally TND 740 IntelliRoute Truck GPS
One of the best truck GPS systems out there is this Rand McNally TND 740 with a 7-inch screen which looks huge for a truck GPS. It features free map updates for a lifetime, and all you need for that is a mobile hotspot.
One nice touch is the lane assist and guidance features. Moreover, it’s got all the usual truck routing guidance, but it also features an audio out capability. Furthermore, if you’re fed up with its warning sounds, you can personalize them.
It comes with a magnetic mount that is efficient and can manage bumpy roads without a fuss. Overall, it’s a trustworthy truck GPS which will always direct you on the approved truck paths and be your companion on long, tiring journeys.
- It has 2 USB ports
- It features built-in WI-FI and Bluetooth
- Free lifetime map updates
- Lane assist and guidance
- Satellite radio
- It basically “begs” for updates all the time, and if you do not update it, it will suddenly stop working at some point
This TomTom device has got a 6-inch touchscreen and lifetime truck maps. They boast about having more than 1,500 truck-related points of interest and real-time updates for as long as you keep the device.
However, the battery doesn’t last more than an hour and this is one of the major downsides. Nevertheless, this TomTom Trucker 620 still is the best cheap truck GPS on the market at the moment. Overall the device is fast, its maps and traffic reports are on point.
It can connect with your phone, and…well, it’s got a 6-inch display which looks nice and is big enough to see all the points of interest on the map. Besides, it supports a memory card of up to 32 GB and has got Bluetooth and Wi-Fi integration.
- It can connect to your smartphone
- Free lifetime map updates
- It features a hands-free calling function and voice assistant
- Bluetooth and Wi-fi, of course
- You can mount it on the windshield for better visibility and accessibility of the device
- You might have a hard time setting it up
- One hour between charging is a little bit sad
4. TomTom Go 52 Car GPS
This TomTom Go 52 deserves its place on our list of best truck GPS reviews mostly because it features Siri and Google now compatibility, hands-free calling, and smartphone messaging. It also has got Lifetime Maps and traffic updates and Wi-Fi.
Moreover, you can connect it to your smartphone to get real-time traffic details, safety camera updates, and any kind of content you want from your Google Drive. In theory, it can completely replace your smartphone navigation functions.
It can predict arrival times, traffic, receive texts, make hands-free calls, and can also access Siri or Google Now. It can be mounted on the dashboard and by the look of it, it stays pretty firmly in place. The display colors are quite bright, and overall, it looks cool.
- Siri and Google Now compatible
- It can connect to your smartphone and receive phone calls and messages
- It has got Wi-Fi
- Lifetime maps updates
- Nice and firm dashboard mount
- The slow, Wi-Fi updates are quite annoying
- The display seems quite small
Also Read: Best Fishfinder GPS Combo in 2020 – Reviews & Top Buying Guide
This 9-inch SIXGO GPS Navigation system had to make the list of top-rated best truck GPS devices. I mean, it-s a 9-inch huge display, and it is also HD. From first glance, it looked almost too good to be true.
However, it is large, with a clear screen; the customized maps and routes seem to be working properly and the high-capacity hard drive is also a nice touch. Also boasts free lifetime map updates and it comes pre-installed with the 2020 latest maps.
It gives you all the basic information needed for a long truck drive, like speed, weight, height limits; it can navigate based on ZIP codes, coordinates, addresses, and street numbers. Its notifications are also on point and you are warned in case of any roadside services or anything of the sort.
- 9-inch bright HD display
- 8 GB of space
- Lifetime map updates
- It does not have hands-free calling
- Not sure about the unknown brand
This heavy-duty truck GPS has got another big HD touchscreen, and if you’re one of the people who prefer big screens despite anything else, then this device might be just for you. It comes with a pre-loaded 2D/3D North America maps.
When you want to update the maps, or download others, you should write to the seller on Amazon. This sounds a little bit weird, to be honest. As for the GPS performance per se, they’ve got support for postcodes, addresses, coordinates, and POI Search.
The device supports 7 vehicle modes: car, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, bus, and taxi. It can customize your route once you input the size and weight of your truck, to make sure you don’t run in any road restrictions. The voice navigation supports more than 40 languages, or at least that’s what the manufacturer claims.
However, le piece de resistance is the 7-inch, HD touchscreen which can also adapt to its lights and colors to the environment. In terms of hardware, the device comes packed with 256 MB Ram and 8GB storage space, but it can support memory cards of up to 32 GB.
- 7-inch display
- Supports memory card
- Route customization
- 3D navigation
- Good value for money
- The map update procedure is weird
- It might move quite slow compared to today’s smartphones
This is the best truck GPS which also features all the relevant navigation services and characteristics fit for long truck journeys. It comes with a 7-inch HD touch display and North America pre-loaded maps. Moreover, you can update them for free. The maps are both in 2D and 3D, and it supports 7 vehicle modes, from cars to pedestrians, bus and trucks.
Based on these modes, it will customize your driving routine and routes, taking into consideration the road restrictions for the different types of vehicles above. It also features a spoken turn-to-turn traffic alert, which will notify you concerning every sharp curve, speed change, school zones, red lights, and even speed cameras.
Also have some additional entertainment features like music, videos, and games to help you relax, and get off Facebook and Instagram for once. It comes with 8 GB RAM, which is great, which is great. The package also includes a car charger, a sucker bracket, USB Cable, and a user manual.
- 8 GB RAM
- Supports entertainment features
- 7-inch HD touch display
- Lifetime Maps update for free
- No mention of Bluetooth
- No memory card support
Also Read: Best Fishfinder GPS Combo Under $1000 – Best Combo in 2020
What Are the Most Important Features in a Truck GPS Unit?
Now that you have all the relevant truck GPS reviews and their main quirks and features, let’s settle on the most important ones that should guide your decision-making process at this point.
Detailed and Updated Maps
It is quite important to choose a GPS that also offers zoom images, both 2D and 3D mapping for streets and highways, together with important points of interest like truck strops and details about their amenities. Moreover, make sure that you understand the updating process of the maps. Some truck GPS units come with free updates for a lifetime and that’s brilliant, but it’s not everything.
You should also read the details about how these updates are made if you need to send them an e-mail, contact them in some way, download them from a store, website, or anything. Moreover, make sure the device has all the internet connections needed to make these updates easily.
Traffic Alerts and Specific Turn-by-Turn Directions
If you’re the type of truck driver who feels safe to know everything that it’s happening on the road ahead, then you should make sure that the truck GPS unit you’re about to purchase supports live traffic alerts. These alerts are quite useful and they can keep you out of the worst traffic jams or road incidents that might occur ahead of you.
Besides, if you also have a turn-by-turn feature, then your GPS navigation system will simply tell you every step you need to make to reach your destination safely and without any jams or incidents. This feature can even show you what lane you should be on at complex crossroads and interchanges; it can tell you the weather forecast and what you can expect in the next couple of kilometers.
Screen Size and Customization
Some people just love big screens and no one can condemn them for that. If you’re one of them, make sure you check the display size first and foremost. Moreover, don’t forget about the attaching system and how the unit will stand on your dashboard or windscreen.
The best truck GPS units will give you some room for customization. For example, you could enter some specific truck information, like length, height, and width and the system will know to guide you on the roads, and bridges that can match your truck sizes. This way you’re certain you’re not heading to a restricted zone.
Driver Assists and Extra Features
Truck GPS units also come with some drive assist functions like finding gas stations for trucks or overnight locations where you can spend the night and rest. Moreover, some GPS systems can estimate the fuel cost for a trip, save your favorite routes, toll roads information and their cost, and even keep a trip logging monitor with all the basic info like time to destination, fuel consumption, etc.
The Best Truck GPS Unit Can Simplify Your Truck Journeys
As you have seen, choosing a GPS for the truck with all the specific functions can be beneficial in the long run. It’s true, a smartphone can also have some of the features described above, but smartphones are not professional heavy-duty truck GPS units.
So, to level up your game and keep your professional and personal life separate, make the right choice and go for the best truck GPS you can buy at the moment.
