need GPS that lists fuel prices along rte, any tips?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Viking84, Sep 21, 2014.

  1. Viking84

    Viking84 Light Load Member

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    I have been driving old school by atlas only. But I have decided to get into the tech age and break down and buy a decent truck GPS.
    I have seen some in the Pilot Magazine advertise that they show updated fuel prices for Truckstops along your rte. Is this correct, and does anyone have a GPS with this feature?
    Any advice would be helpful, as searching thru the Cobra, Garmin, RandMcnally sites may promote their product in misleading way such as advertising certain features only to find out later that it costs extra..
     
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  3. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    Rand McNally does as long as it is connected to wifi. Of course with RM "lifetime maps" means 1 map update before they release a new model and stop supporting your $500 paperweight.

    So I cannot recommend them.


    Besides, if you have a smartphone there are a number of free apps that show and sort diesel prices. Most will even sort prices with ifta removed, which the rand mcnally does not.
     
  4. Viking84

    Viking84 Light Load Member

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    Thanks, that is exactly what I am talking about when I said the websites will promote their product but may not mention the negatives you just stated.
    The advertisements make it look like I can see current fuel prices of any truckstop along my rte hundreds of miles before I get there.
     
  5. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    Make sure what you get shows live traffic
     
  6. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Tons of apps for this on smart phone. Personally I would steer clear of Rand McNally GPS for trucks. I had a tough time with it and could not justify the expense.

    As for truck specific GPS, I personally recommend the Garmin 560 or newer 760 over any of the others. The 760 has a few more features that the 460 and 560 dont. Mile markers is one that I remember. Garmin isnt with out its flaws. But in a world where you have to choose the lesser of 3 evils, I choose Garmin. Its much faster in its route calculation as well as with recalculating when you opt for a different route or need to pull off somewhere. Rand McNally would hang on me or often in congested areas with ramps and over passes it often confused itself thinking I took a different ramp then it had suggested and took forever and a day to recalculate,.. often when I needed to know the next ramp that was coming up in less than a mile. Nothing like traveling 10-15 miles out of route just to get back on track.

    Anyway,.. back to topic.

    I use this website almost exclusively.

    Set your route and it lets you know where they are. I dont pay IFTA, so I find the cheapest fuel I can buy.

    http://www.findfuelstops.com/

    Hurst
     
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  7. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    I know loves has an app they you can put in orgin, destination and it will give stops along the way with fuel prices, i think the other major fuel stops do as well. I have never had good luck with the gps's and fuel updates. Now my rm gps i've gotten 3 lifetime map updates and have had no problems with it yet
     
  8. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Google maps traffic works well, is real time, and is free.
     
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  9. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Doesnt specify truck routes or areas where trucks arent allowed. No low clearance warnings or bridges with weight limits either.

    With truck specific GPS, you can construct your own routes step by step or allow it to choose what it thinks is best. They are particularly useful in places like PA with low tunnels and bridges with weight restrictions or setting up routes to avoid toll roads.

    Never rely 100% on the GPS,.. use it as a tool like you would your road atlas.

    Hurst
     
  10. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    if he's an o/o. the loadboad might show also. i know ITS does. along with the websight www.truckmiles.com. which is routing fo trucks. car version of mapquest.

    do a google for apps that might plot your course with fuel prices along the way. after awhile though, you'll eventually figure out the cheap places.

    tremonton, utah for instance, and the truckstop east of indianapolis on the 70.
     
  11. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Absolutely,.. In less then a year of being O/O have many favorites and learning where more and more are each time I go out.

    Tons and tons of them, often in close proximity to major truck stops listing fuel $.30+ more.

    Hurst
     
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