Trip planning for truck drivers involves preparing for a safe, legal and efficient journey before hitting the road. Drivers review their entire route, checking for low bridges, weight limits, truck-restricted roads and commercial truck routing regulations. They also ensure their plans adhere to FMCSA hours of service regulations to stay safe and compliant.

Truckers plan stops for fuel stations, parking availability and mandatory rest periods. They monitor the current traffic situation, weather and any road closures. Good trip planning helps them avoid heavy traffic conditions, lower fuel use and control operational costs.

By following a strong truck route planning process, drivers stay on schedule, improve delivery time windows and support the fleet’s operational efficiency.

Trucker trip planning software helps drivers create safe and legal routes before they hit the road. It adheres to Hours of Service regulations and utilizes real-time traffic updates to minimize delays. Telematics technology made for large vehicles guides drivers through truck-friendly highways and away from hazards.

The software checks key details, such as vehicle weight, size, road restrictions and traffic patterns, to plan the best route. It helps avoid low bridges, sharp curves and narrow roads that can slow drivers down or cause safety risks.

With the Kinesis platform, drivers can compare fuel prices, find truck parking spots and get live traffic and weather alerts — all in one place. For dispatchers and fleet managers, the software offers tools to plan multi-stop routes, minimize fuel consumption and monitor driver behavior. It also supports better time management across the entire fleet.

This type of truck routing software has become essential in modern fleet management systems, helping businesses lower costs and avoid delays. The importance of trip planning in the trucking industry comes down to one thing: efficiency. With the right tools, fleets can reduce delays, cut costs and keep drivers safe on every route.

• Real-time driver location tracking: See where each driver is during a trip with truck GPS tracking through the Driver App — perfect for dispatch and support.
• Trip history and replay: Review past trips by vehicle or driver to analyze routes, spot delays and support audits or incident investigations.
• Odometer-based maintenance reminders: Track mileage and get automatic alerts for service, registration and smog checks to keep your trucks road-ready.
• Engine hour and refrigeration tracking: Monitor engine hours and refrigeration units to protect temperature-sensitive loads and reduce breakdowns.
• Driver app with trip tracking: Drivers can log trips, view routes and check progress in real time from the mobile app.
• Driver ID tags: Assign trips by driver ID to improve accountability and simplify dispatch management.
• IFTA-ready mileage reporting: Automatically track miles by state and fuel usage to speed up IFTA filings and avoid tax errors.
• PTO and fault code alerts: Monitor power take-off (PTO) activity and get real-time fault code alerts using J1939 or OBD data.
• Driver behavior monitoring: Get alerts for harsh braking, speeding or idling. Review stats to coach drivers and improve safety.
• Built-in DOT audit tools: Use Radius ELD to manage logs, inspections and reports that meet DOT requirements with less admin work.