How do Truck GPS devices calculate travel time?

They use algorithms that base on the speed limit they assign for a type of road. Hammer will set a speed limit to Interstates, us highways, state and local roads. If there are us or state routes that are 4 lane freeways with 70 mph speed limits, it calculates it the same as if it were 2 lane that has 55 and goes through towns with stops and everything like that.

 

My Garmin 780 sees traffic out ahead of me and will adjust the ETA based on traffic jams etc. This is via the free Garmin Smartphone link.

 

Using a Garmin GPS you are able to set the MPH max to what ever you want. This way even if the posted speed limit is 80 but you can only do 70, arrival time will be off.

I have mine set at 65, and I am governed at 72. This allows me to gain time as long as I can maintain a 65mph avor higher. It works very well.

 

It helps me in a lot of ways. I run a full 11 hour shift roll my 10 and go.

 

The RM 740 allows you to set an average speed it uses for calculations. It definitely DOES NOT measure your speed over several trips and then use that average speed in calculation. I think it is in the settings .

 

Copilot adjusts by average speed travelled. I believe it also accounts for any large variance in posted speed for long trips with multiple speeds. I’ve run calculations with the calculator and get the same time it gives me. I’ve found it to be very accurate. As I get to the target destination, it typically holds true to the estimate it gave me many miles away.

 

SmartTruckRoute app you can set your governed mph if you not wide open also.The app is not free though. I personally like it.If there’s an issue in your route or you find something wrong they’ll fix it!

 

Most GPS including CoPilot on the Qualcomm have settings in the truck profile, where you tell the software how fast you drive on different types of roads.