In a previous blog, we discussed which apps can help truck drivers along their way. While those apps—such as Weather Bug, Fleetsafer, and GasBuddy—help truck drivers directly during their haul, the apps in this blog act as good sidekicks to make your trip easier and more enjoyable.
These apps are not a necessity. But you might consider them a necessity once you use them along your haul.
Calorie Counter by FatSecret
The simplicity of FatSecret’s calorie counter is what makes it so appealing to users. The app allows users to find foods based on restaurants and chains, popular brands, and supermarket brands. The barcode feature allows users to scan and upload food, or manually input the food attached to the barcode if it’s not registered. In addition, the history allows users to re-log frequent and previously eaten foods, shortening food-log time significantly.
FaceTime/Snapchat Calling
Keeping up with communication on the road is tough. While calling can help, sometimes you really just want to visually see a loved one. Each of these apps provides a call feature that connects users face-to-face. Their mobile friendliness allows users to enjoy virtual company while outdoors and off wifi as well.
Apple Music/Spotify/
Google Play
A quiet drive can be a lonely drive. Majority of the country is within range of at least one radio, but many radio DJ’s don’t have a great taste in music. A $10 a month subscription to Apple Music, Spotify, or Google Play gives users the option download any song, playlist, or album for offline use. Spotify can be used for free if you want to avoid subscription costs, but only streams online. Most truck drivers will chew up their monthly data when not connected to the wifi.
Apple Podcasts/RadioPublic
Spotify has podcasts built into their apps, but Apple Podcast and RadioPublic host many more—almost every podcast available. The Apple podcast app comes pre-downloaded on new iPhones, while RadioPublic must be downloaded for free.
Audible Audiobooks
This app will come with a subscription, but it’s worth it if you love books. Your first 30 days are free, then pay $14.85 per month. An audible subscription gets you 3 titles each month: 1 audiobook and 2 audible originals. This should be plenty, as an audiobook tends to be at least 8 hours long.
Maybe you dislike reading or struggle to give the words an exciting voice, so let the professionals do it for you while you enjoy their storytelling abilities during your haul.
Around Me
The title fits perfectly with this app. Around Me simply shows users open places in their surrounding location. Gas stations, hotels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, pharmacies, parking, the list goes on and on. Download the free app to see how it can help you find what you’re looking for.
Roadtrippers
While the title suggests its use for vacationers, Roadtrippers can help truck drivers along their route as well. Drivers input their route into the app, the app will then use the route to list and show restaurants, roadside attractions, scenic points, parks, and hotels along the route. The route can easily be updated along the way if you need to alter your route do to construction or traffic congestion.
Foursquare
Similar to Around Me, Foursquare shows app users what restaurants and attractions are in your surrounding area. The app lets users input upcoming cities and locations so they can plan for the city ahead of them.
Findery
Findery is sort of a combination of Foursquare, Around Me, and Yelp. Not only does this mobile app showcase upcoming attractions along your route, but also lists pictures and reviews by other Findery users. This way, you can know what the attraction is like beforehand.
Apple News/Flipboard
These apps allow users to flip through the news that matters to them. You can customize your newsfeed to filter out uninteresting news and follow the news you care about. Follow specific outlets, topics, trends, and turn on notifications to stay updated on news you care about.