May 02, 2023

Least Available Truck Parking By Region

What are the best and the worst regions for available truck parking? Our community of nearly 1 million drivers respond to parking availability questions sent to them every time they enter a parking location. Their responses tell the story.

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 3: Set Yourself Up for Success with Good Tax Habits Is this the year you get your taxes better organized than ever before? You’ve come to the right place. In part 3 of our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers created by Trucker Path and the tax experts at <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>, we’ll address winning tax habits for owner operators. Good driving habits keep you safe and in good stead with the law out on the road. Similarly, good tax habits can keep you stress-free in tax season and in good standing with the IRS. Document Every Deduction This is a key to not running afoul of the IRS. Long-haul truckers especially need good systems for capturing every expense as well as filing and protecting receipts and important documents throughout the year. Trying to remember important details during tax time will only create stress. Stay On Top of Per Diem Expenses To claim the per diem deduction, you have to keep track of days on the road. Keeping a per diem calendar that records full days and partial days can be a saving grace come tax season when memory can fail. ATBS clients can easily track their days on the road using the <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/how-to-use-the-atbs-mobile-app">ATBS Mobile App</a>. You also need DOT ELD logs with times, dates, and locations for your records. Reconcile Your Expenses Daily Make a habit of ending the day updating mileage logs and recording notes for each job and the expenses incurred for each one. Technology can help. Again, the <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/how-to-use-the-atbs-mobile-app">ATBS Mobile App</a> is a great example. It also enables drivers to scan or import receipts and documents. Keep Important Documents in Order 1. Did you buy a new truck? You need the documents so you can deduct depreciation. 2. Did you work with new carriers? Get your 1099s in order. 3. Do you have a new lease? Keep your legal documents in a safe place. 4. Do you have additional sources of income? Add them to your quarterly income estimate so you can adjust your quarterly tax payment accordingly. 5. Did you contribute to a traditional IRA or convert your IRA to a Roth IRA? The IRS needs to know. 6. Did a creditor forgive any of your debt? The cancelled debt needs to be reported to the IRS. 7. Do you have a new baby? Be sure and update your tax form—the same with any changes to your marital status. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute Impending deadlines for filing taxes always add to the stress of tax season. It helps considerably if you’ve been keeping your logs up to date and saving your receipts throughout the year. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to start your taxes. You’re much more likely to make a math error or forget a form when you do your taxes in a panic. Getting a jump on your taxes is the best strategy. And if you choose to enlist the help of an accountant, it goes the same. Get your records and receipts over to them as soon as you can. You want to give them as much time as possible to find every conceivable deduction that can reduce your taxes. Always File Your Return. Even if you can’t afford to pay your tax bill, it’s important to file your taxes. If you don’t file a tax return, the IRS will assess a penalty immediately. The amount you owe won’t go away the longer you wait to pay; in fact, it will grow because you’ll have to pay compound interest. It can also result in your bank accounts being garnished. Consider Filing for an Extension. If you are not able to file a tax return by the deadline, it is possible to file for an extension. This extends the amount of time you have to file your return without penalty. Remember an extension to file isn’t an extension to pay. Getting an extension doesn’t relieve you from having to pay your tax bill and the interest that accumulates on what you owe. Don’t Ignore IRS Notices IRS notices can blindside truckers. They typically come by regular mail, so it can be easy to miss them if you are on the road or don’t have a steady mailing address. Attend to them as soon as you receive them. Delaying can have severe ramifications. Know When to Seek Help If you’re dealing with complicated tax issues or feeling overwhelmed by IRS requirements and deadlines, an experienced tax professional can advocate for you with the IRS and provide invaluable assistance navigating the IRS system. Right now Trucker Path is offering a special discount for Trucker Path users on tax and accounting services from <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>. Learn more here. Next Up in Our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truck Drivers Series: Avoid Trouble In general, it’s best not to mess with the IRS. Learn the things that can make you a target for an IRS audit in our next post.

Feb 23, 2023

Why Private Parking Lots are Attractive Options for Truck Drivers Truck drivers spend a significant amount of time on the road, driving long distances to deliver goods across the country. One of the major challenges that truck drivers face is finding safe and convenient parking spots to rest and sleep during their journeys. While public rest areas and truck stops are a great and cost-friendly option for many truck drivers, they are also often crowded, making it difficult for truckers to be able to secure a parking space, especially during busier hours. Truckers who are unable to get parking at public parking lots often park on the side of highways or onramps, which is illegal and unsafe. This lack of viable parking may prevent them from getting the rest they need to stay alert and focused on the road. This is where private truck parking locations come in as an excellent alternative solution for truck drivers. Many truckers may view private parking lots as a more expensive option as there is an additional cost to park in these locations. However, Ariel Golan, managing partner at <a href="https://discounttruckparking.com/">Discount Truck Parking</a>, suggests there are many advantages to parking in private lots which may make them worth the cost for truckers, including the following: Enhanced security Security is a top priority for truck drivers, and private truck parking offers enhanced protection against theft, vandalism, and other security concerns that drivers might face when parking at public rest areas or on roadways and ramps. Private parking lots are usually monitored by surveillance cameras, and some even have security guards patrolling the premises. Some private lots, such as those offered by <a href="https://discounttruckparking.com/">Discount Truck Parking</a>, have a 24/7 trained lot attendant which helps with security concerns. Drivers can rest assured that their trucks and valuable cargo are safe and secure while they catch up on some much-needed rest. Better rest Rest is essential for truck drivers to remain alert and focused while on the road. Private truck parking provides a quiet and secure environment where drivers can have a peaceful and comfortable rest without any disturbance. If drivers are concerned about security precautions when parking in public lots or on the street, they would not be able to get the peaceful rest they need. Private parking lots generally offer a serene and peaceful environment that allows drivers to rest properly, reducing the risk of accidents on the road. Availability of amenities Private truck parking lots may also provide amenities, such as showering facilities, on-site mechanic shops, truck washes, Wi-Fi, and vending machines that can make life on the road more comfortable for truckers who often spend many days away from home. These amenities can help drivers feel refreshed and rejuvenated after a long day on the road. When parked at these lots, truck drivers can take a shower, grab a meal to eat, and take well-deserved breaks, making it much easier for them to manage their daily routines while on the road. More flexible scheduling In some instances, with public parking lots, drivers may be limited by the hours of operation of public rest areas or other locations. Conversely, private parking lots are mostly available 24/7, providing drivers with the flexibility to park their trucks and rest whenever they need to. This flexibility allows drivers to plan their routes more efficiently, avoiding delays caused by a lack of parking spots or closed rest areas. Reduced travel time Public rest areas and truck stops can be very crowded, with long lines for restrooms, showers, and other facilities especially during peak hours. This can cause delays and eat into the precious time that drivers need to reach their destinations. By avoiding this congestion, drivers can save time on their routes and reach their destinations more efficiently. Private truck parking lots offer a more efficient way for drivers to rest and recharge, as they spend less time being stuck in long lines. Avoiding long lines and subsequent delays increases the time they can spend driving and makes it easier for drivers to reach their destinations on time. In conclusion, private truck parking lots offer numerous benefits for truck drivers. With the ever-increasing demand for goods transportation and as the trucking industry continues to grow, private truck parking lots will undoubtedly become essential in providing drivers with the support they need to keep America moving. Private truck parking facilities can be found on the <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/truck-gps/">Truck Path app</a> which also provides real-time and predictive available parking information for thousands of rest areas, truck stops and other truck-friendly parking locations throughout North America. While drivers can avoid driving to congested parking locations by merely viewing the available parking statuses on Trucker Path for locations along their route, it’s a very good bet that they’ll find parking availability at a private lot. Truckers can download the Trucker Path app via <a href="https://play.google.com/store/search?q=trucker%20path&c=apps">Google Play</a> or the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trucker-path-truck-gps-maps/id782746890">Apple App Store</a> for free. For more information on private truck parking, visit Discount Truck Parking’s <a href="https://discounttruckparking.com/">website</a>.

Apr 18, 2023

Trucker Path Announces Top 100 Truck Stops for 2022 Over 8.5 million in-app ratings, reviews and driver feedback used to determine winners PHOENIX – February 16, 2023 – Trucker Path, the most comprehensive and most used mobile app for North American commercial truck drivers, today announced the results of its annual ranking of truck stops. The Top Truck Stops winners among chain and independent facilities were chosen by the nearly one million Trucker Path app users. “The 2022 Top 100 Truck Stops chosen by Trucker Path’s driver community includes both chain and independent facilities that offer the best parking, food and other amenities,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “This recognition means they are the best of the best among places for drivers to stop based on their offerings and the top-notch customer service they provide.” “It’s exciting to see new locations in the list as well as repeat stores such as our winner from last year, Bert’s Travel Plaza. The enthusiasm that our list generates at the store level is a real testament to how dedicated stores are to serving the trucking community. They know that the drivers appreciate the extra effort they are putting in,” Oliver added. “Providing this list also aligns with our mission to help make truckers’ lives on the road easier, safer and more comfortable.” For its annual Top Truck Stops ranking, Trucker Path gathered over 8.5 million in-app ratings, reviews and driver feedback to determine the Top 100 from among the more than 8,000 truck stops and fuel locations in the Trucker Path app. The top 5 lists represent the overall top 5 and top 5 chain and independent locations with the highest ratings in their respective categories. Drivers across the nation can look for Trucker Path Top 100 Truck Stops that display a window decal honoring the location and their place on the annual Top 100 list. The Trucker Path Top 5 Best Trucks Stops All Truck Stops 1st Place – Kwik Star #1071, Davenport, Iowa 2nd Place – Love's Travel Stop #827, Moses Lake, Washington 3rd Place – Rainbow Trucker's Lounge, West Wendover, Nevada 4th Place – Bert's Travel Plaza, Wellsville, Kansas 5th Place – Workman’s Travel Center Ozark, Ozark, Arkansas Independent Truck Stops 1st Place – Rainbow Trucker's Lounge, West Wendover, Nevada 2nd Place – Bert's Travel Plaza, Wellsville, Kansas 3rd Place – Stones Truck Stop, Watertown, South Dakota 4th Place – Pinehurst Gas N Go, Pinehurst, Georgia 5th Place – Iowa 80, Walcott, Iowa Chain Truck Stops 1st Place – Kwik Star #1071, Davenport, Iowa 2nd Place – Love's Travel Stop #827, Moses Lake, Washington 3rd Place – Workman’s Travel Center Ozark, Ozark, Arkansas 4th Place – TA Express Vermillion #275, Burbank, South Dakota 5th Place – Roadstar Travel Center Jarrell #17, Jarrell, Texas “This recognition means so much since we know it comes directly from our Professional Driver guests," said Steve Wrobel from Kwik Trip’s Public Relations. “Thank you! We have a great culture here at Kwik Trip/Kwik Star. Co-workers at our Davenport Kwik Star, our additional 300+ tractor/trailer accessible locations and throughout our entire company serve with our mission statement in mind, to treat others as you like to be treated. That makes Kwik Trip/Kwik Star a great place to visit and to work. We want to thank Trucker Path for providing a network that connects our stores and co-workers to thousands of Drivers.” “The Trucker’s Lounge in West Wendover, Nevada, is very pleased to have received this very complimentary designation from the truck driving community,” said Dave Fuller, general manager of Peppermill Resorts. “We appreciate providing a well-lit, safe stopover for our friends passing through I-80 on the border of Nevada and Utah. We offer free showers 24/7 along with a nice gift shop to purchase snacks and other gifts that are worthy of taking home to family and friends. Our friendly staff is always here to welcome our drivers and see that our showers are always clean and inviting. We appreciate this honor and hope to continue seeing our new and long-time friends as they pass through Wendover!” <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/02/Top-100-Truck-Stops.png"><img class="aligncenter" src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/02/Top-100-Truck-Stops.png" alt="" width="616" height="2200" /></a> About Trucker Path Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. Its Trucker Path app is currently in use by nearly 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time available parking, fuel prices, weigh station status, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet; and DISPATCH, a full-service dispatch service designed specifically to serve the back-office needs of small carriers and owner-operators. For more information, visit www.truckerpath.com. Media Contact: Susan Fall, LaunchIt Public Relations 858-490-1050, susan@launchitpr.com

Feb 16, 2023