Jul 03, 2020 • Carriers

How Does Trucker Path Work?

How Does Trucker Path Work?

If you’re reading this then you have probably just started using Trucker Path or may have forgotten the many awesome features of our app. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Millions of truckers rely on Trucker Path to find information on truck stops, parking updates, and truck specific routing while over the road. We’re proud to be serving the largest and most active community of truckers. Inside the Trucker Path app, you’ll find tons of useful tools made for trucking, but we’ve rounded up the 3 core features:

FIND TRUCK STOPS

Find and navigate your path to thousands of truck stops, discover the amenities, and read through the reviews left by visitors.

GET REAL-TIME INFORMATION

Find truck stops and rest areas and get their available parking spots in real time, crowdsourced by the thousand of truckers each day.

Similar to parking, you can also see whether a weigh station is open or closed in real time. They are updated daily and help you plan routes accordingly.

MAKE TRIPS PLANS

Plan entire trips spanning multiple days with our Trip Planner. Simply enter your pick-up and drop-off locations, any midway stops, and our map will do the rest! See truck stops and places along the way, and get routes made for your truck dimension.

Try it out yourself. Start using Trucker Path now by clicking this LINK.

By Aldous Aldwin

TagsTruck Driver Owner Operator trucking Trucker Path truck stops Truck driver tips Owner Operators Did you Know Technology

Trucker Spotlight - Tony Justice <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/03/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Tony_Justice2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Tony Justice</strong>, a full-time trucker and one of country music’s most talked about independent artists, selling over 100,000 albums, gracing magazine covers, and earning over 10 MILLION YouTube views. Let's get to know more about Tony and his life where the music meets the road. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Tell us a short story about yourself? </strong></h3> I was born in Visalia, CA but moved to Elkhorn Creek, KY when I was three. I grew up in Coal Country smack dab in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s not to far from Van Lear, KY where Loretta Lynn was born. Growing up, I had 3 older brothers and an older sister. My dad owned three of his own trucks that he hauled coal with. He drove one and my two uncles drove the others. Dad was always serious when it came to keeping his truck up and it was my brothers and my responsibilities to wash and service the trucks every weekend. Dad always had Conway Twitty or Merle Haggard or George Jones blasting on the radio. I can’t remember a time in my life without trucks or music being a part of it. I spent my 20s traveling and playing music. After a divorce, I got custody of my two daughters and figured the music has been fun but it’s time to get a real job. In 2000 I got my CDL, hit the road and quit the music. Fate is a funny thing, but when I quit music is when it actually started gaining traction. I was blessed to find a company like ETI that allowed me to pursue my music and keep my job at the same time. The rest as they say is history. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/03/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Tony_Justice3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What came first? Trucking or Singing?</strong></h3> Singing came first, but as a kid, like most other kids, I love those big rigs and still love them today. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What got you into music? Who are your music influences?</strong></h3> My mom is a huge music fan and an amazing singer herself. Growing up, she had a gospel group that would travel to different churches. I picked up the bass guitar when I was six and starting playing in her group at the age of seven. I have to give credit to my mom for getting me interested in the music. I have several artists that I love. Most know I'm a Merle Haggard junkie, but I also like many other artists like Keith Whitney, George Jones, Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Don Williams, Tom T. Hall, Johnny Cash, Midland and Jamie Johnson - to name a few. Then you have my southern rock and rock n roll side with artist like The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, KISS, Journey, The Stones and E.LO. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How do you describe your music?</strong></h3> It’s for the blue collar working class. I still truck these highways every week and that’s what my songs are about. The journey... whether it’s the journey trucking out to California or the journey of life. There are so many similarities between trucking and life. That’s why the trucking industry has more songs written about it than any other industry and that is what makes them relatable to not only truckers but to the general public as well. A lot of writers these days stray away from reality. I feed on it when I’m writing. <h2></h2> <h3><strong> If you could do a show with any artist, who would that be?</strong></h3> It has to be Merle Haggard hands down. Elvis would be my second choice. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I always loved the big rigs. I grew up riding with my dad in the mid 70s through the mid 80s. I traveled playing music across the East from 1990 to 2000 in an old 84 model Chevy conversion van pulling a ten-foot equipment trailer. I would always fall in with a few trucks going the way I was going and get to chatting with them on the CB radio. I guess I was playing trucker - haha. My dad was my hero and damn good at what he did. He drove for 30 years hauling coal and then hauling tankers for Highway Transport out of Knoxville, TN. Who didn't want to grow up to be like their dad? <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/03/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Tony_Justice4.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> The advances in technology has to be the biggest changes I have seen. Some for the better and some for the worse. Regulations have increased dramatically as the old school brotherhood has decreased. It’s still alive you just have to look a little harder. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What attributes must one have in order to be a successful truck driver?</strong></h3> Patience, dedication and a commitment to professionalism are so important. You treat the industry with the respect it deserves and it will give you respect back. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the most memorable experience you've had while over the road?</strong></h3> There are too many to recall, but I’d have to say running back from California one time. I hooked up with about seven other truckers - six men and one woman. We all stayed together from LA all the way to Dallas before we went separate ways. It was definitely and blast from the past and without a doubt we made old Southern Shaker proud and may have pissed off one Phoenix Evil Knievel who ended up having to chase his cowboy hat instead of us. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How do you balance driving, writing music, and performing?</strong></h3> I do the best I can. It’s a challenge for sure but I have an amazing team back home who carry the bulk of the day to day. My wife, Misty, and my step-daughter, Lacey, do a ton of work along with my Director of Marketing, Laura Bull, and Chief Financial Director, Audrey Russell. Having a supportive boss like I do in Cline and Lisa Everhart also allows me to take off work to record, play shows and film videos. I’m truly blessed to have these people in my life. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3> Easy: Peterbilt 379. My second choice would be the old Diamond Rios and then the W900 KW and the old Freightliner Classics. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/03/202102-BLOG-TP-TS_Tony_Justice5.png" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you?</strong></h3> Loves is the one my company uses to fuel with and I like them. Some of my other favorites are Uncle Pete’s, Iowa 80, Kewanee One Stop, Davy Crockett TA, and the old Queen City truck stop. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What was the worst breakdown or setback you've experienced while OTR?</strong></h3> It happened last year. I was rolling east on 72 in Alabama and grenaded this ole Cat. We got 1.3 million on a rebuild so I guess I can’t complain too much about it. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Don't just be a driver. Learn the industry inside and out. Become as familiar with it as possible. It will benefit you tremendously down the road. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent with driving. After a few years, that is easy to do. It will bite you if you let it. Last but not least, no matter the situation you may find yourself in, NEVER… NEVER get in a hurry. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Mar 16, 2021 • Community

Trucker Spotlight - Shelby <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-4.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Shelby</strong>, who's been driving for 3 years now. She's has a blog and Youtube channel called, Happiness by the Mile, where she shares her experiences and also gives information on everything you would want or need to know to become a professional driver, and live on the road. Let's get to know more about Shelby and how she gets happiness out of every mile. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> It was just a childhood dream of mine to drive a semi. I was not invested in making a career out of it. I just wanted to do it to say I could. It was more of a bucket list item than anything else. Now, I love it so much I could never leave! <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> I have not seen much of any significant change during my short time in the industry, but I have to say that there is a definite shift happening with the reduction of mom and pop truck stops, access to good food, and good training for those getting into the industry. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-6.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to create a Youtube channel? And why did you choose the "Happiness by the Mile" name?</strong></h3> I initially started an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/happiness_by_the_mile/">Instagram</a> page with the name "Happiness By The Mile". I thought it was the most ideal reference to my mindset of being on the road. We chase many things down the road, our thoughts, fears, hopes for the future, but we forget all too often our happiness is not and will never be a destination. We have to be present in our current lives, and happiness is a choice that we can make at any time. I want to encourage drivers to build happiness as they drive down the road, not chase it into the sunset. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Do you have a name for your truck?</strong></h3> My current truck's name is "Waldo". I play a game on Instagram with my followers where I post my truck at a truck stop, and they try to guess where it's located. "Where's Waldo?" <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Are there times of loneliness while driving? How do you deal with it? </strong></h3> I love to keep my brain stimulated by listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I also go out of my way to make kind gestures to others by buying their coffee for them, or helping them out if they are trying to fix something on their trucks at a rest area. I think we all benefit from some positive interaction with other humans on the road. It just takes a bit of effort to put yourself out there to receive. <h2></h2> <h3><strong> As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3> The hardest was finding food for a long time. With a lot of the restaurants and fast food joints having fewer hours or being closed all together it was quite a struggle. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-5.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your usual routes? Favorite scenic truck route?</strong></h3> I run I-80 quite often. If I go east it is usually to Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Most of my routes on the west side of the united states are to Montana, Washington or Oregon. I tend to stay where the snow happens to be the worst. Just the luck of the draw for me. My favorite route is anywhere through US 191, north or south of Salt Lake City it doesn't matter. It is absolutely breathtaking and goes through various national parks. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Weirdest or most unusual haul?</strong></h3> My most unusual haul had to be a single pallet of medical supplies across the entire United States (not during COVID). <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How often do you use rest stops / truck stops? What are the things that you look for in a truck stop? Favorite truck stop meal?</strong></h3> I stop and truck stops and rest areas frequently! I stop often to let my dog Dakota out to stretch her legs, as well as myself. We take a generous amount of time to make sure that we both are feeling awake and ready to keep moving down the road. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-2.jpg" alt=""] <h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3> We often struggle to find a place to park with the doubles set. Pull through parking spaces are the only option most of the time, and not all truckstops have them. We are sometimes forced to park on the curb out of the way, or on exit ramps of the interstates. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/09/blog-3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3> I don't have many pet peeves. I do wish that there was more respect given to the trucks from cars on the road, but it's hard to know what we do unless you've been up there in that seat doing it. We oftentimes need to back off a busy street to a customer dock, and it can be hard with cars zipping around you instead of giving you a few minutes to do what you need to do to get out of the way. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that Trucker Path has been of service to you! Could you share your favorite feature of the app?</strong></h3> I like to use <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path's</a> map feature to see where all the truckstops are around my current location, and I use it to help me trip plan to my final drop location. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3> Take it slow and steady. No matter how many years you have on your belt, you can never know it all, and always have something to learn. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can we watch your trucking videos?</strong></h3> You can check out my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/ShelbyHBTM/featured">Happiness by the Mile channel on Youtube</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKbiP779jJU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> <em>Got a cool story to share? Send us message at community@truckerpath.com to be featured!</em> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Sep 11, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update - May 26, 2020 <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b9.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b9.jpeg" alt="" width="600" height="312" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-4941" /></a> <h3><strong>Load Volumes are Up by 7 Percent</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/another-great-week-for-load-volumes-now-up-7-year-over-year">Load volumes are up 7% versus last year even as import volumes are down.</a> Traditional produce markets in the Southwest have contributed to the largest monthly changes in volumes (Tucson, Phoenix). The rapidly improving consumer spending data is also playing a role in this growth. The reopening of most states is unleashing the pent-up demand from Americans who have grown tired of being on house arrest. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b13.jpeg" alt="Availability" /> <h3><strong>Truck Availability Falls 17 Percent</strong></h3> The availability of trucks on the spot market dropped 17.5% even if spot freight volumes on major lanes continued to grow last week., This is a probable sign that capacity is shifting to the contract market as industries open up. <h2></h2> Pricing power remains with brokers and shippers. <h2></h2> Here are the national average spot rates through the week: <ul> <li>Van: $1.55 per mile, 8 cents lower than the April average</li> <li>Flatbed: $1.86 per mile, 8 cents lower than April</li> <li>Reefer: $1.97 per mile, 4 cents higher than April</li> </ul> <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b10.jpeg" alt="Amazon" width: 100%; height: auto;/> <h3><strong>Amazon Invests $4 Billion to Keep Employees Safe</strong></h3> In a Youtube video posted by Amazon, it revealed to have allocated $4 Billion on COVID-related initiatives to get products to customers and keep employees safe. Here's a breakdown of their initiatives. <ul> <li>Shipped 100 million masks to employees and partners</li> <li>To deliver 6 million meals</li> </ul> Watch the full video below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yxQrMO2gcnY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

May 26, 2020