The Best Internet Options for Truckers for 2024

Data as of 1/10/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

There are lots of ways to connect to the internet while on the road, most of which require specialized equipment and monthly data plans. If you want to stay connected without the extra hassle, you can stick to browsing the internet on your phone. If you also need to connect a laptop or other device, a quick and easy solution is using your phone as a hotspot.

Just about any modern smartphone can double as a Wi-Fi hotspot. But many phone plans strictly limit hotspot data.  For regular internet use, you want a phone plan like Visible that can handle being your primary connection to the internet.

Visible’s biggest selling point is that you get unlimited data, even when using your phone as a hotspot. That means that you can stay connected on the road without buying additional devices or data plans beyond your existing phone plan. The downside is that your data speeds are capped at 5 Mbps, so you’re not going to be streaming movies over your phone’s data connection, but it will keep you connected to the web and useful apps.

Visible uses Verizon’s nationwide network, but it requires 4G, which means it won’t work in areas that have only 3G coverage. It’s not an ideal solution for those with higher bandwidth needs, but it’s a good fit if you want access to the internet across the country.

 Pros

• Unlimited data
• No contracts

 Cons

• 4G only
• Very slow speeds

Data as of 1/10/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*14-Day Service Trial Included with purchase of Gateway.

Like mobile hotspots, UbiFi’s 4G internet service uses cellular signals to keep you connected wherever you are. UbiFi uses AT&T’s 4G network—one of the largest nationwide networks. The difference is that a dedicated 4G internet plan is a lot closer to 4G home internet than it is to smartphone data. And though UbiFi is portable, it’s not for use when you’re moving. You use it to create a Wi-Fi network wherever you stop.

The monthly cost for UbiFi is considerably more than an internet plan for a fixed location or a smartphone hotspot plan like Visible—but you get the best of both worlds with better portability than home internet and better connectivity than a smartphone-tethered hotspot. While this isn’t always a worthwhile trade-off, it’s well worth it for truckers who need a good connection wherever they go.

UbiFi is a bit of an investment. In addition to the monthly costs, you have to buy an LTE gateway upfront, which can cost a few hundred dollars. The equipment doesn’t come with a battery option, so it has to be plugged into an outlet.

 Pros

• Unlimited data
• Wide network coverage

 Cons

• High monthly cost
• Outlet requirement

Data as of 2/8/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

The easiest and most reliable way to stay connected to the internet while on the road is a wireless hotspot, and the T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G is the best 5G hotspot available.

Wireless hotspots connect to cellular networks and then broadcast their own local Wi-Fi signal for your devices to connect to. Unlike a standard home 4G or 5G router, mobile hotspots aren’t tied to a specific location, which means you can connect to the internet anywhere you have cellular reception—even when you’re moving.

The MiFi X PRO 5G exclusively uses T-Mobile’s nationwide network. Like cell phones, mobile hotspots need a SIM card and a data plan, and there’s no unlocked version of the MiFi X PRO 5G for those who want to use a different provider. It also comes with a security features like a built-in firewall, which is  nice when using the hotspot in crowded areas.

The Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 also comes with Wi-Fi 6. This means that it can handle a lot of devices on its network without slowing down. You probably won’t have dozens of connected devices in the cab of your truck, but this can be a handy feature when you’re on vacation or even for home use in rural areas.

 Pros

• 5G connection
• Multiple device support

 Cons

• T-Mobile exclusivity
• Limited 5G availability

Data as of 2/7/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*Per connected device with AutoPay. Plus Taxes & fees.

Mobile hotspots require a data plan, and your choice of plan often makes a bigger difference to your connection than the hotspot itself. If you already have a device—like the T-Mobile Inseego MiFi X PRO 5G —but are looking for a good data plan, T-Mobile’s 5GB plan is a good starting point.

At just $20 a month, this plan is about as cheap as any you’re going to find. If 5 GB isn’t enough for you, T-Mobile also offers plans with more data.

 Pros

• Low price
• Multiple options for additional data

 Cons

• Limited 5G coverage

Data as of 2/8/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*See full disclaimer.

It’s nice to take a load off and binge watch Netflix after a long day on the road, but streaming video can eat through your entire monthly data limit in a matter of hours. Fortunately, truck stops and many other locations offer public Wi-Fi networks you can use to conserve your data, and the Winegard AIR 360+ makes connecting easy and secure.

As you’ve probably noticed, it’s not always easy to connect your laptop to nearby Wi-Fi networks from inside your truck. A long-range antenna like the Winegard AIR 360+ allows you to pick up weak or distant wireless signals. This antenna can be mounted to the outside of your truck, and a second antenna inside the cab rebroadcasts a strong signal to all of your devices.

Although this kind of antenna is primarily designed to keep you connected to stationary wireless networks when you’re at a stop, the Winegard AIR 360+ also doubles as a hotspot with the addition of a data plan.

 Pros

• Long range
• Secure connection
• 4G option

 Cons

• High cost