9 Best Portable Truck Gps Units 2025 in the United States

The Garmin DriveSmart 86 is a highly capable portable truck GPS unit featuring an impressive 8-inch high-resolution screen, offering clear and crisp map visuals. This large display enhances readability and ease of interaction. It provides comprehensive map updates for North America, ensuring you always have the latest road information. It lacks truck-specific routing, which is a major drawback for truck drivers who need tailored routes considering vehicle dimensions and weight limits.

The unit excels in POI, with a vast database including the HISTORY database, U.S. national parks directory, Tripadvisor ratings, and millions of Foursquare points of interest, making it useful for finding rest stops, fuel stations, and attractions. Voice guidance is facilitated by Garmin Voice Assist, which allows for hands-free operation and safer driving. The integration of live traffic, fuel prices, weather updates, and smart notifications when paired with a compatible smartphone further enhances its utility.

The user interface is intuitive, supported by touchscreen functionality and smart notifications. Build quality is robust, with a durable design suitable for the rigors of frequent use. Additional features such as hands-free calling, built-in Wi-Fi for easy updates, and Alexa integration add to its appeal. While it offers many advanced features, the absence of truck-specific routing may limit its utility for professional truck drivers, making it more suitable for general road travelers who can benefit from its extensive features and user-friendly design.

The Garmin dēzl™ OTR610 is a portable GPS unit designed specifically for truck drivers, featuring a large 6-inch touchscreen that is easy to read with a high-resolution display (1280 x 720). This unit excels in truck-specific routing, offering custom routes based on the size and weight of the truck, though it’s important to note that not all areas are covered and drivers should always defer to road signs and conditions. The unit provides alerts for upcoming road hazards like bridge heights and weight limits, which can be very useful for planning safe routes.

It also includes a directory of truck and trailer services, allowing drivers to find stops with essential amenities such as showers and parking easily. The BirdsEye Satellite Imagery feature is great for detailed arrival planning, showing high-resolution aerial views of loading docks and entrances. Additionally, the unit supports live traffic, weather updates, and smart notifications when connected to a compatible smartphone via Bluetooth. Map updates cover North America extensively, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and several islands.

On the downside, the custom routing might not be entirely accurate in all regions, and the reliance on the dēzl app and Bluetooth connectivity could be a drawback for those who prefer standalone devices. Battery life is standard with one included lithium-ion battery, but the unit can be powered through a vehicle power cable. The Garmin dēzl™ OTR610 is durable and built to withstand the rigors of truck driving, making it a reliable choice for truckers looking for a comprehensive navigation solution.

The Rand McNally TND 750 is a solid choice for truck drivers needing a reliable GPS navigator designed specifically for trucks. Its 7-inch touchscreen is bright and easy to read, making it comfortable to use while on the road. The device runs on Rand Navigation 2.0 software, which offers tailored routing based on your truck’s size, fuel prices, and traffic conditions—an important feature that helps avoid unsuitable roads and saves time. It also includes millions of truck-specific points of interest, like truck stops and repair shops, which is handy for planning stops.

Mapping updates go up to 2025, which means your routes will stay current for a good while. The voice guidance is clear, helping keep your eyes on the road. However, the battery life is about 5 hours, which may require frequent recharging during long hauls, but it comes with a strong magnetic mount tested to handle rough driving conditions, adding to its durability. Keep in mind it’s not water resistant, so it needs some protection from weather.

The unit uses Android OS and includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making it easy to connect and update. The interface is straightforward thanks to a responsive touchscreen, though the user experience might feel a little dated compared to newer devices. It weighs just over 2.5 pounds, so it’s portable but stable when mounted. If you want a truck GPS that focuses on precise, truck-friendly routing with clear visuals and useful truck-related features, the Rand McNally TND 750 is a fitting option, though be prepared for moderate battery life and the need to keep it safe from water exposure.