Truck-specific alternative to passenger directions
Google Maps is useful for general mapping, place search, Street View, and passenger-car directions, but the consumer Google Maps app does not provide a truck-profile mode for semi-truck navigation. Highway Miles is built around commercial vehicle routing from the start.
Drivers can still use Google tools where they are useful. Highway Miles is the truck-navigation layer for the actual commercial trip, using the vehicle profile, truck restrictions, unlimited stops, low-clearance information, weather, traffic, and truck-focused points of interest.
What it includes
How to use it
What drivers need to know
Google’s consumer Maps help describes driving routes as designed for cars. A semi-truck route can also depend on vehicle height, weight, length, axle configuration, trailer details, cargo, hazmat restrictions, and commercial roadway rules.
Highway Miles stores those commercial details in the truck profile so they can be used when planning the trip.
Google’s consumer Maps help currently documents up to nine stops including the final destination. Highway Miles is designed for commercial workflows with unlimited stops, stop reordering, and route optimization.
That matters when a workday includes multiple pickups, deliveries, fuel stops, parking, and service locations instead of one simple destination.
This page is not arguing that Google Maps has no value to a truck driver. General place information and Street View can be useful context. The important distinction is that the commercial route itself should be planned with truck-specific vehicle and restriction data.
Questions drivers ask
Yes, for truck-specific route planning and navigation. Highway Miles is built around commercial vehicle profiles, truck restrictions, unlimited stops, low-clearance information, weather, traffic, and truck-focused locations.
Google’s current consumer Maps help lists driving, transit, walking, ride, cycling, and motorcycle directions and states that driving routes are designed for cars. Google separately offers large-vehicle routing to developers through Google Maps Platform, which is different from a truck mode in the consumer Maps app.
Yes. General map information and Street View can be useful supplemental context. Use Highway Miles for the truck-specific route and continue to verify posted commercial restrictions.
See how Highway Miles navigation features work together from route planning through arrival.