If you're a truck driver, you know the pain: sitting in traffic for hours because your GPS didn't warn you about a crash ahead. Or worse, getting routed under a bridge that's too low for your rig.
We tested the most popular truck navigation apps to see which ones actually help you avoid these problems. The results might surprise you.
Quick Comparison: Truck Navigation Apps 2025
| App | Crash Alert Speed | Low Bridge Warnings | Truck Routing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argus Nav | Under 10 seconds | $7/month | ||
| Google Maps | 10-15 minutes | Free | ||
| Waze | 10-15 minutes | Free | ||
| Trucker Path | None | Free/$9.99/month | ||
| CoPilot Truck | Limited | $149.99 one-time |
Why Crash Alert Speed Matters
Here's the math that most truckers don't think about:
At 65 mph, you travel 1 mile every 55 seconds.
- • If an app alerts you 10 minutes late, you're already 11 miles into the backup
- • If an app alerts you 10 seconds after the incident, you have 10+ miles to find an alternate route
This is why crash detection speed is the single most important feature in a truck navigation app. Everything else—pretty maps, voice commands, music integration—is secondary.
Detailed App Reviews
Argus Nav
EDITOR'S CHOICEPros:
- Fastest crash detection (AI-powered)
- Real-time low bridge alerts
- Built for commercial trucks
Cons:
- Coming soon (join waitlist)
Verdict: Best for drivers who want to avoid traffic before it happens
Google Maps
Pros:
- Free
- Widely used
- Good general navigation
Cons:
- No truck-specific routing
- No low bridge warnings
- Slow incident detection
Verdict: Fine for cars, dangerous for trucks
Waze
Pros:
- Free
- Community reports
- Police alerts
Cons:
- Routes trucks down residential streets
- No clearance data
- Crowdsourced = slow
Verdict: Popular but not built for commercial vehicles
Trucker Path
Pros:
- Truck stops database
- Weigh station info
- Large trucker community
Cons:
- No real-time crash alerts
- Outdated interface
- Ads in free version
Verdict: Good for truck stops, not for avoiding traffic
CoPilot Truck
Pros:
- Offline maps
- Truck-specific routing
- One-time purchase
Cons:
- Expensive upfront
- No real-time traffic intelligence
- Dated technology
Verdict: Reliable but lacks real-time features
How Argus Nav Detects Crashes So Fast
Most navigation apps wait for users to report incidents. That means someone has to:
- See the crash
- Pull out their phone (safely)
- Open the app
- Tap "report incident"
- Wait for the report to propagate to other users
This process takes 10-15 minutes minimum. By then, traffic is already backed up for miles.
Argus Nav uses a different approach: AI-powered computer vision that monitors 40,000+ DOT traffic cameras in real-time. When our AI spots an incident, you get an alert in under 10 seconds—before anyone even has a chance to report it.
Detection Speed Comparison:
The Low Bridge Problem
Every year, thousands of trucks hit low bridges in the US. The average cost per incident: $30,000-$100,000 in damages, delays, and fines.
Google Maps and Waze don't know your truck's height. They'll happily route you under a 10'6" bridge when you're driving a 13'6" trailer.
Argus Nav and other truck-specific apps let you enter your vehicle dimensions and automatically avoid routes with clearance issues. This alone can save you from a career-ending mistake.
Get Crash Alerts 10 Minutes Before Other Apps
Argus Nav uses AI to detect incidents from traffic cameras in under 10 seconds. Join the waitlist for early access and get your first month free.
Join the Waiting ListFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best free truck GPS app?
Trucker Path offers a solid free tier with truck stop information and basic routing. However, free apps typically lack real-time traffic intelligence. For professional drivers, the cost of a paid app is easily justified by avoiding even one traffic jam.
Why shouldn't truckers use Google Maps?
Google Maps doesn't account for vehicle height, weight, or cargo restrictions. It will route you under low bridges, down weight-restricted roads, and through areas where trucks aren't allowed. For commercial vehicles, use a truck-specific app.
How fast do navigation apps detect traffic incidents?
Most apps rely on crowdsourced reports, which take 10-15 minutes to propagate. AI-powered apps like Argus Nav can detect incidents from traffic cameras in under 10 seconds, giving you time to reroute before traffic builds up.
Is Argus Nav available now?
Argus Nav is coming soon to iOS and Android. Join the waitlist at getargus.ai/solutions/app to get early access and your first month free when we launch.