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The Best Road Trip Apps That Help You Find Cheap Gas, Avoid Traffic, and More

Download these before you hit the highway.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Carmen Martínez Torrón/Getty Images

Technology has revolutionized the way we travel in countless ways. Paper maps and GPS navigation systems have been replaced by Google and Apple Maps, old-school CDs by music streaming services, and guidebooks by apps that can notify road-trippers of roadside attractions in real time. One thing is certain: the smartphone has made road trips infinitely easier and, arguably, cheaper.

Whether you need a digital road trip planner to map out your next journey or something to help you avoid traffic jams, here are 11 of the best road trip apps to download ahead of your next adventure.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is one of the most practical and popular road trip planning apps out there. Maybe you want to see national parks or the quirkiest roadside attractions. Perhaps you want to stop for the night at an iconic or underrated hotel. You can plan your stops right in the app, adding up to three waypoints for free or 150 with a Roadtrippers Premium account. There are also Basic and Pro memberships that allot you 20 and 50 waypoints per trip, respectively. The higher-tier memberships allow you to collaborate with friends and family and use navigation. The app features lodging, sights, outdoorsy destinations, restaurants, activities, shopping, fuel, and more all around the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The app is free, but you have to upgrade to a membership plan to enjoy all the bells and whistles. The Basic plan costs $40 a year, the Pro plan $50 a year, and the Premium $60 a year. It's available on iOS and Android .

Google Maps

Every road-tripper needs a trusty navigation app in their arsenal, and Google Maps is consistently one of the most — if not the most — downloaded in the U.S. every year. Its dominance can be attributed to how comprehensive its data is, which allows it to generate the very best directions based on distance, road conditions, and traffic patterns.

Google Maps gives you route options and provides accurate estimates of how long it takes to get from A to B. Plus, you can plot several waypoints along your route — be it a mid-morning coffee stop or a hotel for overnighting (you can see reviews right in the app).

Google Maps is free and available on iOS and Android .

Waze is another one of the top navigation apps. With real-time updates that help you avoid traffic jams, construction, and more, it will have you navigating new cities and unfamiliar streets like a seasoned local. It's perhaps a little more proactive than Google Maps in changing up a route when problems arise, and that means Waze users should prepare for their drive to be a little unpredictable.

No one wants to spend hours sitting in traffic instead of exploring, so the fact that Waze collects data from other drivers to streamline the driving experience is a huge help. The app is free and available on iOS and Android .

Paying for fuel can eat up a good chunk of your road trip budget, but GasBuddy can save you a few bucks. The app crowdsources up-to-date fuel prices for more than 150,000 gas stations around the U.S. and Canada. The app also tells you how recent the submission is so you know whether it's outdated.

GasBuddy is not just helpful for finding cheap gas but also for finding gas stations in general (and parking), which can be difficult in foreign territory. The app is free and can be downloaded on iOS and Android . While using it, be a good road-tripper and submit gas prices you see as you travel.

Roadside America

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The offbeat and kitschy roadside attractions you can find throughout the U.S. are often some of the most delightful parts of a road trip. The Roadside America app helps you find the most unique attractions worth stopping for, like the large sculpture of a cartoon mouse holding a cheese platter in Plain, Wisconsin — where else? — or the decidedly odd larger-than-life-sized three-way electrical plug that rests on a lawn in Philadelphia. The app features museums, murals, tours, quirky restaurants, and photo ops.

Roadside America costs $3 to download, which gets you access to one region in the app. You can purchase more regions for $2 or get access to all of the U.S. and Canada for an extra $7. The app is available only on iOS .

iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Knowing where to stop for road trip snacks, a drive-through latte, or a public restroom can be challenging with all the exit signs whizzing by at 70 mph, but iExit Interstate Exit Guide takes the guesswork out of it. The app will list which exits are coming up on your route, what's there, and what they offer — including food, lodging, fuel, and even hospitals. It pulls fuel prices from OPIS (the Oil Price Information Service) and displays Yelp reviews for businesses.

The app is free to download. Find it on both iOS and Android .

HotelTonight

Even if you've planned out all your stops ahead of time, you might find that you need to pull over for a night unexpectedly. Driving is tiring, and unplanned naps can be life-saving. HotelTonight can help you find accommodations in a pinch. The app offers day-of deals on unsold rooms, and the user-friendly interface means you can book a discounted room in minutes. There are well over 1,000 properties to choose from in cities all over the world, from Mexico City to Jakarta (in case you happen to take your road-tripping global).

It's free to download and available on iOS and Android .

If staying in a tucked-away A-frame cabin, a yurt, or a private guest house in someone's garden is more your travel style than bouncing between hotels, then Airbnb is the ticket. On the Airbnb app, you can search properties (millions in the U.S. alone) on a map and read reviews before you book, which you can do in advance or at the last minute.

The app features not just vacation homes but also activities, so if you're keen to experience a city like a local you can do so via a pottery class or a guided walking tour, for example.

The Airbnb app is free. You can download it on iOS or Android .

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Travelers who dream of camping out under the stars should download The Dyrt , a free app that helps you find tent, RV, and cabin sites across the U.S. One of the top camping apps on iOS and Android , it has more than a million registered users who submit reviews, pictures, and tips. On The Dyrt, you get real intel on campsites and a built-in community that makes camping on a road trip especially fun and safe. You can even book some of the campsites right on app.

The app is free, but there's a premium version for $36 a year that allows you to plan trips and search campsites while offline — convenient for remote regions.

What is a road trip without a perfect playlist? Whether you're keen to create a soundtrack of nostalgic singalongs, modern pop songs, or music inspired by your destination, you'll find even the most obscure tunes on Spotify , a catalog of more than 100 million tracks. When you tire of Taylor Swift, you can turn to podcasts or an audiobook to keep you company. Road trips are a great opportunity to delve into a docuseries like "Serial," an all-time favorite.

Spotify is free to download and listen to, but the ad breaks are annoying and streaming can chew through your phone data. A better option is to purchase a premium membership for $11 a month. It's ad-free and you can download music to listen to offline. The Spotify app is available on iOS and Android .

Electric vehicles are increasingly commonplace and great for more environmentally friendly road-tripping. The problem is often finding charging stations, as most EVs can go 100 to 300 miles before they need to be plugged in. PlugShare lists 700,000 charging stations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Users share their reviews of the stations, helping to guide EV drivers to the best, fastest, and most reliable charging spots.

PlugShare is free and available to download on iOS and Android .

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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

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We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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15 Useful Apps to Download Before Your Next Road Trip (for Free!)

If you are looking for the best road trip apps , you’re in the right place!

Traveling along the wide open road can be a lot of fun but can also be stressful if you’re worrying about getting lost, finding gas, looking for a hotel, or are trying to keep to a tight budget.

Here are a few tools you can access from the palm of your hand that will help with your planning, navigating, budgeting, and finding what you need while on the road. These apps simplify things for you so you can concentrate on enjoying your journey just as much as the destination.

Whether you’re going for 2 days or 2 weeks, these are the absolute  best apps to have for a road trip :

All of the apps can be download for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in the Google Play Store.

Table of Contents

Google Maps – best road trip app for navigation 

Price: Free Availability: iOS and Android

Seriously. How did we ever live without Google Maps?

It is arguably the most popular navigation app – and for good reason – as it’s incredibly reliable and easy to use. Whether you’re walking, biking, driving, or using public transportation, it allows you to see the best route based on distance, road conditions, and traffic patterns. I even used it to navigate the subways in Tokyo, Japan and it worked flawlessly (thank goodness!).

Since we’re talking about road trips, Google Maps is an excellent choice when deciding on your driving route and looking at all your options for stops along the way.

Create and save your entire itinerary and update it as you go, or highlight your favorite places and save them for later. It can also help you find nearby restaurants, parking, or public restrooms in a pinch. 

You can even download maps for offline use, which is an excellent feature for adventures that take you out of cell service.

For a step-by-step tutorial on customizing your Google Maps , visit my guide on  How to Plan Your Road Trip with Google Maps .

Waze Navigation – for navigation with real-time updates 

Perhaps second in popularity to Google Maps, Waze is gaining favor with a lot of drivers.

Waze is a community driven navigation app that provides  the most up-to-date maps, real-time traffic updates, and road closure alerts. It’s also useful for  showing drivers where traffic cops are hiding and and speed cameras are mounted. I think we can all agree that speeding tickets will put a damper on any road trip. 

Drivers can report things along the way, giving real-time, comprehensive updates on road conditions and traffic problems. 

Plus, for those of us who prefer to take the longest route possible, there is an ‘avoid highways’ feature that takes you through the backroads, which is the best way to discover fun and spontaneous stops along your journey.

However, one of the standout features of Waze is the “avoid dirt roads” option, which re-routes you to follow only paved roads on your road trip. This is especially useful for countries like Costa Rica , where it’s all too easy to find yourself driving down some extremely rough and muddy roads.

Roadtrippers – best road trip app to build an itinerary

Price: Free for basic version | $25.00/year to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

Roadtrippers is one of the best road trip apps because it’s designed specifically for road trips. You can use it to build your own road trip route, find places to see along the way, and even calculate gas mileage. It’s essentially your all-in-one road trip app.

To use Roadtrippers, start by clicking “Plan Trip” and add your departure and final destination. Roadtrippers will display the best route and then you can search for stops and accommodation along the way.

While you can plan basic road trips in countries throughout the world, Roadtrippers works best in the US, Canada , New Zealand , and Australia.

Use the free version to add up to 7 waypoints along your route. If you need more, you can upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus for $25.99/year, which gives you 150 waypoints per trip, offline maps, and different map styles.

Instagram – for inspiration

While not technically a road trip app, Instagram is actually a great resource for finding inspiration, hidden gems, and checking current conditions at locations along your road trip route.

For example, I use Instagram every year to plan my fall foliage road trip ! By searching for most recent posts in a certain area, I can check the foliage and time it to get there when the colors peak.

Here are some other ways you can research your trip on Instagram:

• Type key phrases into the search bar on the explore page
• Visit tourism boards profiles
• Browse the posts under location specific hashtags

Similar to Pinterest, you can save your favorite posts and organize them in dedicated boards. I like to create dedicated boards for each trip.

Join me and over 45,000 adventure lovers over on Instagram , where I share more travel tips, unique places, and road trip itineraries!

Pinterest – for exploring blogs and finding itineraries

If you’re a visual person, you’ll love Pinterest because it’s a search engine like Google, but with pictures.

Pinterest is typically my first stop when I sit down to research for a road trip or start crafting an itinerary. It’s a great road trip app for finding road trip itineraries, travel inspiration, and exploring new travel blogs which you may not have come across in a normal Google search.

You can use Pinterest to research a specific destination or just browse for inspo to save for later. Just use the search bar like Google to search for phrases like:

• Las Vegas to Sedona road trip itinerary
• Best countries to visit in December
• Ecuador travel itinerary
• Florida travel

To stay organized, you can curate separate boards to store itineraries, places to visit during your travels, your packing list and any other tips that might make the road trip more seamless.

Click here to follow me on Pinterest and check out road trips Pinterest board!

Spotify – music, podcasts, audiobooks

Price: Free for basic version | $9.99/month to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

An absolute prerequisite for a good road trip is a good soundtrack. Long gone are the days of fuzzy radio stations or loading CD decks. Spotify allows you to sync up all your favorite tunes into your ultimate road trip playlist, or the app is happy to curate one for you.  

Although Spotify is first-and-foremost a music streaming platform, you can also find hundreds of podcasts and audiobooks so you can learn and stay entertained on the road.

The app can be used for free, but you will get some advertisements, while premium subscribers listen ad-free. 

Tip: Make a unique playlist for every trip with songs you’ve never heard before! That way, you’ll be reminded of your epic road trip every time you hear those songs.

HotelTonight – to find last minute hotel deals

Maintaining a flexble schedule is part of the joy that comes with road trips. Unforseen circumstances such as traffic, roadside attractions, hunger, or sleepiness can sometimes throw plans off course. HotelTonight compiles last-minute, unused hotel rooms at a discount. So, if you have a flexible schedule or you’re looking for a last-minute hotel room because you can’t handle any more drive time, this is a great app to have handy. 

HotelTonight will use your location to pull up real-time availability and prices. They have about 50 thousand properties in their database in 1,700 cities around the world. 

AllTrails – find places to stretch your legs

Price: Free for basic version | $35.99/year to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

If you’re a fan of hiking and the great outdoors, you’ve probably used AllTrails once or twice to find a good walking trail. It makes the list of best road trip apps because you’ll definitely be itching to stretch your legs after many sedentary hours in the car. 

In the AllTrails app, you can enter a general location or use the map view to see your current location and find trails near you. Each route is rated by users and marked with distance, time, and difficulty level, so you won’t be left wondering how long your excursion will take.

There are free and paid versions of the app for $35.99/year. The only noteworthy difference in the paid version is that you can download the maps offline. 

TheDyrt – the best road trip app for finding campsites  

If you’re going to be looking for campsites during your road trip, TheDryt helps you find places all over the US where you can pitch a tent, park an RV or even rent a cabin. This is the best road trip app for finding last minute campsites and free places to park overnight, especially when we have a camper van.

It’s the number one camping app in the US, with over a million downloads. Users provide reviews, pricing, and all the nitty-gritty info you want to know before arriving at your camping location. 

TheDyrt app is free to download, but I do recommend splurging on the PRO version if you’ll be off grid. It costs $35.99/year and it allows you to plan trips and search for campsites while offline.

READ NEXT:  5 Compelling Reasons to Take a Campervan Road Trip (+ Essential Tips to Know Before You Go)

Freecampsites.net – find free campsites on public land

Free camping can be hard to find, but  Freecampsites.net makes it easy to find free, dispersed camping outside of official campgrounds. This makes it one of the best apps to have for your next road trip!

Most campsites are located on public land managed by the State Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Freecampsites.net is crowd-sourced, so campsite information, tips, and site reviews are contributed by other users.

To find a campsite near you, use the map to search for free, cheap, or permit campsites. Alternatively, use the Trip Planner to pull up all campsites along your route. The campsites can be used for car camping, tent camping, or RV camping.

You can’t book these sites in advance, so I recommend doing some research beforehand and always having a backup plan in case the site is full when you show up.

If you like to plan (way) ahead, use Recreation.gov to book organized campsites cross the country.

iExit Interstate Exit Guide – find the best exit stops

Price: Free for ‘lite’ version | $0.99 to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

Designed for US Interstates, the iExit Interstate Exit Guide is an easy way to find out what’s coming up at an exit near you.

Missing signs and zipping past each turn-off usually means you miss an optimal food spot or bathroom stop. But  iExit helps you find the best exit for your needs, whether it’s cheap fuel, food, or a comfortable hotel. You can even book a hotel directly through the app.

iExit is free, but there are some added in-app purchases available for a small price. 

Toll Calculator GPS Navigation – estimate tolls on your route

Price: Free for basic version | $5.99/year to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

Don’t forget that toll roads are an important part of your road trip budget! Fortunately, Toll Calculator is one of the best road trip apps for estimating the cost of tolls along a given route. Originally created for truckers, this app is quickly growing in popularity among all kinds of road trippers.

With Toll Calculator, you can easily plan ahead and choose the best route for your trip, estimating how much toll money you’ll need along the way. It currently works in the US and Canada.

The free version is good enough for estimating tolls along the primary route from point A to B. But you’ll have to upgrade if you want to unlock more features like syncing with Google Maps and comparing prices on alternate routes.

GasBuddy – find the best gas prices along the way

Let’s be honest – filling up the gas tank is probably going to be the most expensive part of your road trip. Luckily,  GasBuddy collects user-generated data to help you find gas stations with the least expensive fuel options on your route. It works for road trips in the US and Canada. 

Once you add your destination, the GasBuddy app will show you all the filling stations along the way and let you compare prices. App users report prices and gain points for doing so. Earning points enters you into drawings for gas money that can go towards your next road trip.

TripIt: Travel Planner – keep your travel schedule organized

Price: Free for basic version | $49/year to upgrade Availability: iOS and Android

TripIt is a travel planner that allows you to keep your travel schedule organized and saved in one place. This means that all your reservations, booking numbers, confirmations, addresses, etc., are neartly organized and at your fingertips.

The best part is that you don’t have to add everything in manually, which is such a time saver. Once you book something online, you can automatically sync your plans into your TripIt schedule. It’s very convenient to have everything in one place.

The free version is super comprehensive so you won’t have to pay for TripIt PRO unless you want the added bonuses real-time flight alerts, reminders and city guides. 

TravelSpend – best travel app for budgeting

If you like sticking to a budget while you travel, TravelSpend is a free app that will track your spending. It’s great for domestic road trips, but you can also use it abroad because you can choose your currency.

TravelSpend’s functionality is pretty basic, which makes it easy to use, even if you’re a finance novice. It categorizes your spending so you can see exactly where your money is going and helps you stick to your budget. 

It can cater to solo travelers, couples, families, groups, or digital nomads. The free version comes with ads, or you can upgrade to go ad-free. 

This wraps up our list of the best road trip apps! I hope you find some of these apps helpful on your next road trip. If you have a favorite, let me know!

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41 Best Road Trip Planning Tools and Apps in 2024

Is a road trip in your future? These road trip planning tools will help you choose destinations, find a place to stay, get there, and so much more.

Planning a road trip is one of the most exciting parts of the experience. When you first decide to go on this adventure, you’re filled with anticipation and possibilities.

But it can also be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you find interesting places? How do you keep everything organized?

Don’t fret; I’ve got you covered. I’ve found the best road trip planning tools to help make the process fun and easy.

I’m somewhat obsessed with road trips, and have written a few books about them (including Planning Your Perfect Road Trip ) as well as dozens of articles.

With the help of the right road trip planning tools, you can make the process much simpler, more organized, and fun!

Below are some of the best road trip planner apps, websites, and real world tools to help you plan your next road trip. They’ll help you find great places to explore, figure out how to get there, and keep track of it all.

Ready to plan a road trip?

FREE Road Trip Packing Lists

36 best road trip planning tools and apps.

There may be affiliate links in this post, which means we may get a small commission. It’s at no extra cost to you and helps keep TLT free. Everybody wins!

Before you go, check out this road trip packing list .

15 Useful Websites for Road Trippers

There are approximately 1.3 gazillion travel websites, give or take a few bazillion. There’s no way to keep up with all of them. I’m not even going to try. Instead, I’ve curated some useful favorites.

This selection of trip planning websites is by no means comprehensive (because that would be impossible), but these should provide a plethora of ideas.

America’s Byways

fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/

If you’re looking to drive a scenic route that’s been designated as such by the Federal Highway Administration, visit here first.

National Scenic Byways & All-American Roads lists a collection of 184 “distinct and diverse roads.”

To be officially designated, a National Scenic Byway must be considered regionally significant, and an All-American Road needs to be a “destination until itself.”

For example, the Santa Fe Trail follows one of the country’s early trade routes and is a National Scenic Byway.

Beartooth Highway , which provides access to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park , is an All-American Road.

America’s State Parks

stateparks.org

Our National Park System gets lots of love, and rightfully so, but you know who else deserves your outdoor affection?

State parks.

The America’s State Parks website, hosted and developed by the National Association of State Park Directors, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a resource to help you find every state park in the country.

Their Locate a Park function links to each state’s official parks system website.

Atlas Obscura

Welcome to the atlas of the obscure . If you’re looking for interesting places, this is the site for you.

A cool function is to search nearby. Let the site use your location and it’ll pull up attractions close to you.

For example, near me there’s a funeral home with a mini-golf course inside and a house without corners – because the owner wanted spirits to feel more comfortable.

Back Road Ramblers

Back Road Ramblers focuses on family-themed travel in the US, emphasizing slower-paced journeys and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

If you want to visit someplace new and know how far you’re willing to drive, CalcMaps will show you what’s within that distance.

Draw a circle and it’ll show the radius in miles, or enter an address and the miles you’re planning on driving. A circle overlay will display on the map, which you can resize with the drag of a mouse.

You can then browse within that circle and start researching potential cities, towns, parks, and attractions. It’s important to note that mileage is based on straight lines and not the routes you’ll take.

For example, from my home to Des Moines, Iowa, is less than 280 miles as the crow flies. To drive it would be around 320 miles. However, you can at least get a rough idea.

Find Your Park

Find Your Park is a collaboration between the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation to help plan visits to NPS sites.

You can choose from a range of activities, including geocaching, off-roading, and whitewater rafting.

Historical Marker Database

If you’re the type of person who pulls over at every historical marker, Historical Marker Database is going to be your new best friend.

You can browse thousands of listings or you can plug in an address. If you give it permission to see your location, it’ll show markers near you.

Individual listings display an image of the marker, a transcription of the inscription, and usually an audio recording. They include the latitude and longitude so you can plot the exact location.

Topics are also listed, which comes in handy when planning a road trip themed around Native Americans or the Civil War, for example.

National Park Service

If you plan to visit any of the 423 units of the National Park System , start at the source. NPS.gov includes all their sites, including National Battlefields, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Scenic Trails, National Seashores, etc.

They also help you plan your trip with lists of ideas. There are trip ideas by park, activity, topic, duration, and more.

You can also purchase your America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, which provides admission to every fee-based NPS unit.

National Register of Historic Places

History geeks rejoice! Part of the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places offers tools and resources for researching historical sites deemed worthy of preservation.

RoadTrip America

Online since 1996, RoadTrip America is one of the original sites for online travel planning. In addition to tons of road tripping advice, there’s also a route planner.

It’s free, and if you want to save, print, or modify your route, you’ll need to register. That’s also free and provides access to their Great American RoadTrip Forum where you can connect with other road trippers.

Roadside America

Roadside America ‘s also been around since the 1990s, and in all that time it’s amassed a giant collection of curiosities. Or, as they say, “little pushpins of peculiarity.”

Browse by state or search by keywords or city to find your road trip inspiration, like a giant ball of twine or a 30-foot-tall old-fashioned bicyclist.

See something intriguing? Save it to “My Sights.” When you’ve accumulated the ones you want, you can create a route that includes them all.

There’s a Roadside America app, but sadly for us Android users, it’s only available for Apple devices. 

The Local Tourist

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my own website. It has been around since 2002, after all.

The Local Tourist is a good resource for outdoors, culture, history, kitschy attractions, and road trips (duh).

As of 2024, destinations are primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. But, I’m working on covering the whoooole country, and eventually, the world! Muah ha ha.

TV Food Maps

Want to eat at a place you’ve seen on the telly? TV Food Maps not only has a searchable database, but they’ll also show you results based on your road trip route.

Shows include the obligatory Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Man vs Food . There’s Cheap Eats when you’re on a budget. Chopped fans can find the winners’ restaurants.

It’s a veritable smorgasbord of places to eat.

Related: check out all my tips on eating on the road .

Visit the USA

visittheusa.com

Visit the USA is the official travel site of the United States. There’s a ton of information for people traveling internationally, but it’s also good for US residents.

Browse iconic landmarks, trip ideas, and experiences. You can search geographically. There’s also a cool “this or that” quiz that provides recommended trips based on your answers.

In addition to the site, there’s a trip planner, too. Put in your starting point and your final destination and the dates you’ll be traveling and you’ll get a suggested itinerary.

Not every place is listed, however. My hometown is missing, so I entered the closest bigger city.

Want more road trip tips? Download Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road

World Waterfall Database

If you love waterfalls (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love World Waterfall Database . It’s a comprehensive resource that ranks waterfalls and allows users to browse by state and country.

6 Online Trip Planners

Trip planners are fantastic tools for, you guessed it, planning your trip.

Road trip planners are especially useful when you have an idea of where you want to go. You plug in your start and end destinations and fill in “waypoints,” or stops.

With their interactive maps, you can experiment with alternative routes. Each tool has a different interface and offers different features.

I recommend experimenting with each to see which works best for you.

Furkot is an online road trip planner that offers a range of features to help you plan and organize your trips effectively.

To begin, you enter your starting and ending destinations, what dates you’ll be traveling, how long you want to travel each day, and more.

You can also enter what type of accommodations you like and whether you prefer to drive highways or toll roads. Traveling with pets? You can include that, too.

If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can click on “Inspire me” for suggestions.

Google Maps

Did you know you can use Google Maps as a trip planner? When you find a place that looks interesting or you know you want to include on your itinerary, you can save it.

For example, search for Rocky Mountain National Park. Then tap the “Save” icon. From there, you can add it to Favorites, Want to go, Travel plans, or Starred places.

You can also create your own lists, which will make it easier to plan an entire trip.

Once you add a place to a list, you can add a note.

Maybe Aunt Sue recommended the peach pie at a diner. Write it down in the notes. Then when you’re planning your itinerary, you’ll know why you added that diner to your list.

You can keep your list Private or you can choose to share it. This comes in handy when there are multiple people planning the trip.

Google My Maps

Google My Maps is a powerful tool that can be extremely useful for planning a road trip. It allows you to create custom maps with your own locations, routes, and markers.

One of the most useful features of Google My Maps is the ability to create custom routes. You can add as many locations as you want to your map, and then easily connect them to create a custom route.

This can be helpful when planning a road trip with multiple destinations, as you can see the entire route and estimate the time and distance between each stop.

You can add markers to your map, which can be used to indicate points of interest, hotels, gas stations, rest areas, or other places you want to visit or stop at during your road trip.

You can add notes, photos, and videos to the markers, which can be helpful for remembering more details about a place.

Google My Maps also allows you to share your maps with others, which can be especially useful when planning a road trip with a group of friends or family.

You can share a link to your map, and others can view and edit it, making it easy to collaborate and plan your trip together.

Another useful feature of Google My Maps is the ability to export your map to a GPS device, which can be helpful when you are on the road.

This allows you to use your custom map offline, without an internet connection and navigate with turn-by-turn directions even in areas with limited cell service.

Overall, Google My Maps is a powerful and versatile tool for planning a road trip. With its custom route and marker features, collaboration options, and offline capabilities, it can help you plan and navigate your road trip more efficiently and enjoyably.

Roadtrippers.com

Roadtrippers.com allows you to plug points into a map, but it’s so much more than that.

Once you’ve added your starting point and your destination, Roadtrippers displays attractions along your route. The more you zoom in, the more attractions you’ll see.

You can add the type of vehicle you’re driving and its estimated fuel efficiency and Roadtrippers will calculate your approximate expenses.

Besides plotting the route itself, there’s a ton of user-generated content offering recommendations for attractions, restaurants, places to stay, and great photo ops.

Previously you could specify whether you wanted to drive interstates or not per segment of your trip. That’s no longer the case, and to choose any routing options you’ll need to upgrade.

However, upgrading enables you to collaborate with other users and increases the number of waypoints from three in the free version to up to 150.

There are three levels of membership, with Premium getting you the most benefits with downloadable maps, live traffic, and special discounts.

At time of publication, Roadtrippers membership ranges from $35.99 to $59.99 per year, and there’s a seven day free trial. If you upgrade, you can save $5 off your first year with code BTR5QTP. Click here to start your free trial .

TripTik by AAA

triptik.aaa.com

AAA’s TripTiks have come a long way since the spiral-bound guides of my youth. Today you can plan your trip online or on your phone.

Plug in your starting and ending points and add up to 25 stops. Specify how often you’d like to stop and it’ll build breaks into your turn-by-turn directions.

You can choose to display gas stations, attractions, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, AAA savings, and rest areas.

My Scenic Drives

myscenicdrives.com

My Scenic Drives is a completely free trip planner that lets you add as many stops, or waypoints, as you like. After you create an account, you can plan away.

Plan road trips either by adding your own locations or by choosing one of their existing scenic drives. Those are somewhat limited.

At time of publication, only Great River Road and Stagecoach Trail are listed for Illinois, skipping Route 66 , the Ohio River Scenic Byway, the National Road, and Lincoln Highway.

Depending on how many miles your trip will be, My Scenic Drives may split it up into days. You’ll also see an estimated fuel cost, although I’m not sure how accurate that is.

If you’re planning on visiting any National Park Service sites, you can buy an annual pass through My Scenic Drives.

The interface is a little awkward and they don’t have an app, although their site is mobile friendly.

16 Best Apps for Road Trips

From before you go to when you’re on the road, there are tons of tools to help get the most out of your road trip. Because of the fluidity of online tools, I’m only recommending a few that I know are likely to continue.

You can learn more about these apps in our Best Road Trip Apps guide.

Search the Apple or Google Play stores to download them to your device.

Like to hike? Bike? Go for a walk? AllTrails is a great app to help you discover hiking and biking trails based on where you’re located.

You can read reviews, store trails you’d like to explore, and record the hikes you do take. You can choose to make your hikes public, or keep them private.

There’s also a premium version, which allows you to download offline maps.

With Expedia , you can easily search for and compare prices on rental cars, hotels, and activities along your route. Rates are often discounted, and you have the opportunity to earn rewards.

When you sign up for an Expedia Rewards account, which is free, you also get access to member prices.

The app is easy to use and keeps an itinerary with your confirmation numbers.

Until electric cars have battery life that will take you through the country’s most remote stretches, gas is a necessary evil of the road trip.

GasBuddy uses crowd-sourced data to provide real-time information on gas prices at different stations.

With GasBuddy, you can easily find the cheapest gas prices near you, as well as see which gas stations have the best deals on certain days of the week or at certain times of the day.

In addition to displaying fuel prices, you can save more when you sign up for Pay with GasBuddy.

Pay with GasBuddy also gives you access to Deal Alerts, which knock the price down even more.

Check out our complete guide to saving money on gas with GasBuddy .

I almost feel like this goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway (obviously): if you have just one road trip app, make it Google maps.

Not only can you get directions and the best routes, but because it’s Google you can find anything around you, too.

One of the route options you can choose is which is most fuel-efficient, and you can even select the type of fuel: Gas, Diesel, Electric, and Hybrid.

Another great feature of Google Maps is the ability to download maps for offline use.

This is helpful if you’re planning a road trip to a rural area or somewhere with limited cell service.

By downloading the maps in advance, you can still access them and navigate even if you don’t have an internet connection.

Google Maps can also be used as a trip planning tool, and there’s more on that in the Online Trip Planners section.

HotelTonight

If you’re looking for a last minute hotel room, HotelTonight wants to help. Primarily in larger towns and cities, the website and app can help you find same-day and next-day hotel stays at discounted rates.

The app will find accommodations near you, and you can also search for hotels by location. You can filter your search by price, star rating, and neighborhood.

Taking the interstates? iExit shows you what’s available at each exit, including dining, shopping, restrooms, and attractions. It also pulls up gas stations and gas prices.

The app uses real-time data to provide information on the services and amenities available at upcoming exits on the highway, making it an ideal tool for planning rest stops, gas fill-ups and meals.

You’ll see a list of services such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and rest areas along with their distance from the exit. You can filter your search results by categories such as fast food, lodging, and gas stations.

NPS (National Park Service) App

Not only does the official mobile app of the National Park Service show you where to find National Parks, it helps you discover every site in their system. It’s free to use and you can explore by topic, by activity, by state, or near your location.

The app provides information on park hours, fees, and regulations, as well as maps, trail guides, and other resources to help you make the most of your visit.

The commercials ain’t lyin’— Priceline Express Deals are amazing. What’s the catch? You have no idea where you’ll end up. You can see a general area and a star level, but that’s it.

While they no longer give you the option to Name Your Own Price, in addition to Express Deals, they also have pricebreakers. They pick from one of three different hotels.

While you won’t know which one you’re getting until you pay for it, you’ll be able to see in advance what your options are.

Like Expedia, you can search for hotels by location, price, and amenities. You can also search by brand and star level, making it easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

Priceline VIP is a rewards program that provides discounts, add-on deals, and Express Deal coupons after your trip is complete.

The app will show you deals on hotels near your location. You can also book rental cars, flights, and cruises.

Knowing what’s happening weather-wise is kind of important when you’re on a road trip. My favorite way to see whether I’ll stay dry or will need to break out the slicker is Rainy Days.

This free radar app has helped my anxiety level on several occasions, especially while driving in North Central Nebraska. It was good to know we were driving the opposite direction of an intense storm.

Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov is the official website and app for making reservations for recreational activities and facilities managed by the U.S. federal government.

You can find campgrounds and lodging, tours and activities, sign up for lotteries for the most popular things to do, and find information on what permits are required near you.

Once you do make reservations, they’re stored in the app.

This is the site and app to use when you plan to visit parks that require vehicle registration, like Glacier National Park, or want a permit to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park .

You can reserve campsites on the website and app. We did, while sitting at the entrance to a campground in Mississippi. We didn’t realize the park was a NPS site when we drove up, and the kindly gent in the booth directed us to make our reservations through the app.

There’s also a trip planner. Plug in your dates, number of people, your starting location, and your potential destinations.

You can then see all the available options on a map, add them to your road trip itinerary, and then make any necessary reservations.

ReserveAmerica

If you’re planning to camp on your road trip, you’ll want this app. ReserveAmerica enables you to make reservations for campsites all over the country.

Some state park systems use the site, and you can find KOA campgrounds.

Apex Club is ReserveAmerica’s membership. Members get a rebate for a free night of camping (up to $25) at eligible state and regional parks. There are also discounts on gear, accessories, apparel, and activities.

Restaurant.com

Eating where the locals eat is a great way to get a real “taste” for a town. If you want to save some dough on your dining, sign up for restaurant.com .

This app provides discounted certificates, and I’ve found participating restaurants in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents.

You’ll have to spend a minimum amount to use your certificate, and it’s usually double the face value. For example, if you get a $10 certificate for $4, you’ll have to spend at least $20 and you’ll save $6.

You can search for restaurants by your current location and by zip code. You can also choose larger cities, including Chicago, Seattle, and Austin.

Once you’ve narrowed down the location, look at the menu and the ratings. I’ve found several real gems using this app, and they’ve been places I never would have known about or tried without it.

If you’re going to be in any urban areas on your road trip, you’ll definitely want this app.

SpotHero has probably saved me thousands over the years. I’ve been using it since it launched over a decade ago (and the founder used to write articles on Chicago parking for me!).

I found a spot three blocks from the Los Angeles Convention Center on the day of the Grammys and paid $10 for seven hours. The day of the Grammys, y’all!

Driving highways or in urban areas? TollGuru provides detailed information, including pricing, methods of payment, and which transponders (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag, etc.) are accepted at tolls.

It will also give you an estimated fuel cost if you include the type of vehicle you drive and the average gas prices.

While Google Maps now provides toll price information, TollGuru gives you more detail.

Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Brands include most of the big fuel chains (Shell, Marathon, Valero, BP, etc.).

Upside works similarly to Pay with GasBuddy in that you get cents off per gallon, but you get it in the form of cash back.

For example, at the Casey’s near me I can get eight cents per gallon cash back. To get the discount, I claim the offer, pay with a credit card, and then check in or take a photo of my receipt to upload it.

Once the cash back processes, which is usually within a couple days, I can transfer it to my bank account or use it to buy gift cards for places like Domino’s, H&M, and Starbucks.

Upside also offers cash back at restaurants and grocery stores. The offers vary, and when you first sign up there’s an increased discount.

The app saves you a few cents here and there, but they add up, especially when you’re on long road trips.

Download Waze for an alternative to Google Maps. Beyond turn-by-turn navigation, one of the key features of Waze is its crowd-sourced traffic information, which allows users to report accidents, road closures, and other incidents in real-time.

This helps you stay updated on the latest traffic conditions and avoid any delays on your route.

You can set your type of vehicle for preferred routes, including Motorcycle, Electric, and Taxi. You can also add your Toll and HOV passes, and you can tell it to skip unpaved roads.

I can think of a few trips I’ve taken where that option would have come in handy.

In addition to its routing and traffic features, Waze also offers a number of other useful tools for road trips.

For example, the app allows you to find the cheapest gas prices along your route, restaurants, and parking at your destination. If you connect your calendar, the app will tell you when it’s time to leave.

4 Real World Trip Planning Tools

While online discovery tools are wonderful, don’t forget to check out these real-world tools, too.

Travel Shows

Travel Shows are a fun and interactive way to find new destinations. While many people attend hoping to connect with someplace exotic (a.k.a. a place requiring several hours in a plane), travel shows are a wonderful way to find someplace a little closer to home.

I’ve exhibited and spoken at the Travel & Adventure Show for years. At each show, I’ve found new road trip destinations.

Places I’ve visited as a direct result of these shows include Cottonwood, Arizona; Ridgeland, Mississippi; Bishop, California, and Traverse City, Michigan.

The people working the booths at travel shows are, generally speaking, from that destination. They know more than anyone about their home and it’s their job to entice you to visit.

Libraries & Bookstores

Libraries and bookstores are fantastic resources for helping you plan your destinations. It’s fun to browse the stacks to see all the possibilities.

When it’s time to narrow down your choice to specific destinations, you might be able to find a guidebook.

If a book you want isn’t available at your local library, it could be available through a reciprocal lending program, and booksellers are usually happy to special order books they don’t stock.

It’s also fun to read travelogs and travel memoirs for ideas and inspiration.

As an author , one of my biggest thrills is when someone tells me my books provided inspiration for their trips, especially when they go somewhere they never would have considered or had never heard of before.

One of my road trip rules is to always visit AAA before heading out when I’m planning on visiting a new state.

Why? One word: Maps.

Even though GPS is great, sometimes, like in the canyons of Utah or the middle of the Mojave Desert, it doesn’t work. That’s why we always have paper maps.

AAA’s app is also a good resource on the road, if you do have a connection, for finding attractions and restaurants. PLUS, don’t forget their roadside assistance.

If you’re of a certain age (cough cough) you probably remember those spiral-bound TripTiks. When I was growing up, mom and dad would pick up their custom‐made travel guides from our local AAA.

Guess what: the association still offers these route‐planners, only now they’re online.

One of the coolest features is the ability to specify how many hours you want to drive before taking a break and it will suggest locations to stop.

It also shows places that offer discounts to AAA members, including hotels and restaurants. It’s a handy overall tool for any road trip planning.

Local Visitors Bureaus

My favorite part of travel is the people. On our road trip to the Oregon coast and back, not a whole lot was planned. We relied on the kindness of locals to point us in the right direction, and we were richly rewarded.

People who live where you’re going are always your greatest resource.

While you could drive by the seat of your pants, like we did, there’s an easier way:

Visitors Bureaus .

These gems are my (not so) secret weapon.

When you’re planning your trip, make sure you contact these founts of regional knowledge.

In the “biz” we know them as CVBs—Convention and Visitors Bureaus—and DMOs—Destination Management Organizations. These are the Mother Lode of local info.

Once you’re at your destination, ask the people you meet—the gas station attendant, the cashier at the grocery store, the concierge at your hotel, the host of your B&B—where they go to lunch.

Where do they take friends and family when they come to visit? I’ve never been steered in the wrong direction, and have found some real gems just by asking the locals.

I hope you’ve found these road trip planning tools useful. If you want the ultimate guide to how to plan a road trip, get Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road .

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Best road trip planner apps

Have a blast and save on gas with our favorite road trip apps.

The weather’s getting warmer, you’ve stocked up on PTO, and your playlist of summer songs  is about at capacity which means one thing: It’s road trip season. In other words, it’s time to load up the car, grab your friends, and hit the open road.

Roadtrippers

Google trips, iheartradio, blink roadside assistance.

Whether you’re planning to camp in the woods or stay in swanky hotels, there are unique aspects to road tripping that require special planning. Unlike vacations, where you’re flying to a single destination, road trips involve preparation such as determining the best route, mapping out your stopover points, finding nearby attractions, and ensuring you’re close enough to gas and roadside services.

Fortunately, there are plenty of mobile apps to help you during the planning phase and once you’re on the road. Here are the best road trip planners, for both iOS and Android-compatible smartphones.

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Roadtrippers is perhaps the best all-around road trip app, working as a comprehensive planning assistant that offers everything from creating your route to selecting activities and finding lodging. You can book accommodations instantly via the app, which looks similar to a more full0-featured version of Google Maps . Better yet, it’s completely free for anyone to make use of.

To plan a trip, simply enter your final destination and then click on nearby cities and destinations. From here, the app lets you play around with different routes and activity options until you find your favorite. We recommend using the desktop version for the planning portion, as it’s easier to zoom in and out on a bigger map.

Once the route is locked in, you can then search for various types of accommodations including hotels, campsites, vacation rentals, RV spots, and other places to sleep for the night. Additionally, you can scroll for activities to do including Attractions and Culture, Points of Interest, Entertainment and Nightlife, Scenic Drives, and dozens of other sub-categories. Once you’re on the road, switch to the mobile version to search for food, find nearby gas, locate rest areas, find auto shops, or track down other amenities.

GasBuddy is by far the easiest and most straightforward gas-finding app available. By simply entering your current location, the app shows you up-to-date gas prices within a pre-set local radius. You can sort the resulting stations by price, distance, or price and distance together. There’s also an option to filter stations by whether or not they have certain amenities such as car washes, air pumps, propane fills, restrooms, pay-at-pump features, and 24/7 service hours.

Whether you plan to fill up with regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel, or even ethanol/E85 fuels, GasBuddy clearly lays out which station offers what grade of fuel and at what price. There’s even a map view you can use to zoom out and jump around, viewing gas stations in various parts of the state or country.

Serious savers can join GasBuddy as a member by simply linking their checking account. Once linked, the company then sends a card in the mail which can be used to receive 10 cents off per gallon for the first fill and five cents off per gallon at all future stops. If you’re going to be giving your odometer a workout this summer, GasBuddy is an excellent way to cut down on fuel costs.

Google Trips is a general vacation planner app, however, if you’re going to be hopping from one town to the next, it has plenty of useful features to make the most of each destination.

For instance, searching in the mobile-only app for “things to do” populates a list broken down into tabs such as live music, art galleries, outdoor pursuits, kids activities, and many more. The categories are all location-specific so if you’re in Portland, Oregon, for example, you’ll see options like vintage shopping, indie movies, or made in Portland, whereas if you’re in New York you’ll see tabs like Brooklyn standouts, literary NYC, or Madison Avenue chic.

The app has a similar feature for food and drink choices as well, which includes a summary of what genres of food the city or town is known for and where you can find each type of cuisine. You can save attractions you want to visit in the handy Saved Places tab and there’s a feature called Day Plans that offers suggested itineraries in one, two, and three-day formats.

If you have any reservations, you can forward the emails to your Gmail account and the app automatically syncs them into a reservations tab which allows easy access to confirmation numbers and other info. There’s also a comprehensive Getting Around section that explains what types of public transportation and ride-shares are available, should you choose to park the car for the day, as well as walking and biking paths.

When you get tired of looping through the same playlists on Spotify or Pandora , iHeartRadio offers an awesome way to integrate musical playlists with podcasts, news, and local radio stations. The app is connected to over 1,000 different stations throughout the United States which you can live stream anywhere. If you want to search by region, just enter a zip code otherwise you can surf by genre, selecting from music stations (pop, hip-hop, country, jazz, etc), comedy shows, sports stations, political talk radio, and others.

Under the podcasts tab , you can browse for new shows or save a list of your favorites. There’s an extensive selection of choices including popular series like This American Life, Fresh Air, Serial, Pod Save America, Radiolab, and others. The Playlists tab allows you to create your own playlists or surf for music based on mood, activity, decade, genre, and other categories similar to Spotify. You can also save songs and follow artists in your Library.

The basic app is free but in order to use all its features, you must choose a subscription of either $5 for iHeartRadio Plus or $10 for iHeartRadio All Access.

Blink is a wonderfully convenient app that allows you to access immediate roadside service without requiring a membership. If you run into car troubles, simply enter your location like you would with something like Uber or Lyft, and the app immediately sends someone to help you.

The tabs are broken down into Battery, Flat Tire, Tow, Lockout, and Other, where you can ask for things like fuel delivery if you run out of gas. It’s a 24/7 service with nationwide coverage offered in 99.4 percent of all US zip codes. That means you’re covered just about anywhere you go, at any time, be it day or night.

When you first request service, it doesn’t completely commit you to have to receive what you ordered. The app first shows you your options with a price quoted along with an estimated wait time. From there, you can decide if you want to proceed. If you prefer to talk to a human, there’s a telephone icon in the upper righthand corner of the app that connects you to a representative who can answer questions and book services.

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Using a bike computer is a great way to set goals and track cycling progress. However, if you've done any shopping around, you're aware of how expensive it can be. Mobile apps have even gotten so effective in recent years that we wouldn't blame you for wondering if you need a bike computer at all. Depending on your goals, it may make more sense to forgo the handlebar-mounted devices altogether and use your phone to record metrics.

Many cycling-focused apps measure data like speed, distance, and pace, and help with tasks such as route planning, goal setting, community building, coaching, or other bike-related objectives. Because there are so many available, the one you choose depends on what you want to use it for -- you may even want to use a few separate apps to accomplish different purposes. To help make the decision process easier, here are the best cycling apps for each type of function. The best metrics tracker: Strava

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We've looked at numerous options for speakers designed for outdoor use, and the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 is our choice as the best all-around. With a winning trifecta of incredible sound, a diehard battery, and a rugged design that is ideal for crowd-pleasing, it's the clear standout in a sea of speakers.

There are plenty of other good choices on our list, which we chose after hundreds of hours evaluating key criteria like sound quality, portability, water and dust resistance, ruggedness, battery life, ease of use, and, of course, value. We also considered scenarios like permanent wired installations and times when a portable speaker would be preferable. Follow below to find the best outdoor speakers for any situation. Best outdoor speakers at a glance

Mountain biking has boomed in recent years and as a result, manufacturers have developed an increased number of specialized designs to appeal to this broad and nuanced market. There are now many models to choose from, but the Santa Cruz Hightower C R remains the best mountain bike on the market, namely due to its versatility, price, and blue-ribbon precision on the track. Further reading

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10 Helpful Road Trip Planning Apps For Your Next Adventure

Whether you need a travel packing list, the cheapest gas price, or a toilet finder, there’s “an app for that!” Using a road trip planning app is a convenient way to store all your essential travel plans in one place.

1. Roadtrippers (Route Planning)

Roadtrippers is a robust road trip planner app with many useful features. Not only can you plan out your entire trip, but you can also use the app to navigate. The app allows you to mark your planned stops easily and suggests things to do along the way. You can estimate how much you’ll spend on gas, book hotels, and tours, and get traffic updates. Roadtrippers Plus has even more features, allowing you to create itineraries and download pre-made trip guides.

2. PackPoint (Packing List)

A road trip packing list can help you keep track of your belongings before, during, and after travel. It’s the best way to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything essential. But rather than keep track of a paper checklist, why not use an app? PackPoint is a travel packing list app that allows you to create custom packing lists for free. You can categorize your list and even see what the weather is like at your destination. The premium version also allows you to link to your TripIt itinerary! 

3. TripIt (Itineraries)

TripIt is a mobile itinerary app that allows you to compile your road trip or travel plans all in one place. You can send your travel confirmation emails to the app, add photos and PDFs, email your itinerary to someone else, and even sync your trip to your calendar. TripIt Pro has additional features such as trip reminders, a rewards program tracker, “go now” reminders, and various flight-related tools. If you love itineraries, you’ll love this road trip planner app!

4. Waze (Traffic & Directions)

Waze is a GPS navigation and live traffic app that helps you get where you need to go. Not only does it help you get to your destination, but it allows users to input information such as road hazards, construction sites, and police sightings.

Another popular feature of the app is its rerouting tool. When the app notices traffic back up ahead, it will notify you of the situation and offer alternative routes. Waze has also added features such as a speedometer, a gas finder, a parking garage/lot finder, and it will even sync with your music and podcast apps.

5. Google Maps (Destination Finder)

Suppose you’re directionally changed, like me. Using Google Maps to get around a new city is a game changer. The app isn’t just for driving navigation and can be used when getting around on foot or by bike. And if your location history has been enabled, the app will even give you destination recommendations based on places you’ve previously visited. In addition, Google Maps will let you share your location and download maps offline if you know you’ll have spotty service.

6. GasBuddy (Best Gas Prices)

GasBuddy is a fuel savings app that uses your location to help you locate cheap gas. You can also sign up for a free Pay with GasBuddy card to save even more at the pump. Here’s how it works.

Once you receive the card in the mail, you will connect it to your bank account. Next, you’ll use the app to unlock deals. Then, when you are ready to fill up, you use your GasBuddy card instead of your debit card. When you do this, you’ll receive up to 25 cents off per gallon, and if you upgrade to their premium account, you can get up to 40 cents off per gallon. The GasBuddy card works at 95% of gas stations in the U.S.

Additionally, if you want to save even more on gas, you can participate in their Shop Your Way program. Use the app to shop for their retailers, and they will apply more gas discounts to your card.

7. Flush (Toilet Finder)

The Flush restroom finder app is genius! All you have to do is open the app, which will display public restroom options near you. The app also tells you if the bathroom is handicap accessible, if there is a fee, and even lets you know if a key is required. And this app isn’t just for those in the U.S.; it helps you find toilets worldwide!

8. Trabee Pocket (Budget Tracker)

The Trabee Pocket app was designed specifically for tracking your spending while traveling. The app allows you to enter pre-trip costs, add on-the-go costs, categorize your purchases, and show you how much you’ve spent via a pie graph. And if you don’t want to hold on to your paper receipt, you can take photos and upload them to the app.

When your road trip is over, you can export your expense details to a PDF or even a CSV file that you can open in Microsoft Excel. This simple-to-use expense tracker is great for budget-conscious road-trippers looking to watch their spending!

9. HotelTonight (Last-Minute Stays)

If you’re looking for last-minute hotel deals, HotelTonight is your app. Perfect for road trips, this app is ideal for those who decide, unplanned, that they want to stay the night in town before moving on to their next destination. So how does it work?

HotelTonight partners with hotels to help them fill up their unreserved rooms. In return, they can offer deep discounts to get those rooms filled. And although the app advertises last-minute accommodations, you can also book stays up to 100 days in advance. Be careful, though! Because these are great deals, you probably won’t get a refund for a cancellation or the ability to request a different type of room.

10. Guide Along (Audio Tours)

Guide Along , formerly known as GyPsy Guide, is a GPS-narrated audio tour app that will give you information about your current location. While driving or walking, the app will suggest local tips and tell you about things to do and see around you. It’s a personal tour guide at your fingertips! The app lets you download and play tours offline if you know you’ll have lousy cell service in an area.

Final Thoughts

There are many road trip planning apps, so research and find the apps that best fit your needs. It’s always a good idea to test your apps before your trip so you’re not fumbling around while driving. Enjoy your vacation, and be safe out there!

This article originally appeared on Wander With Alex . Photo Credit: [@scanrail/DepositPhotos]

Alexandrea Sumuel is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States. 

Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers with exclusive insights and information.

Best Travel Guides For Blissful Vacations

• Posted in in Tips & Tricks

9 Best Road Trip Planner Apps To Install Before Leaving

• Posted by by Logan Smith
• Updated 12/30/2023

So, you’ve got the classic road trip playlist primed, snacks packed, and destinations plotted on the map. But before hitting the road, take a few minutes to download some of these essential road trip apps. Of Course you don’t want to get lost on the roads finding places to eat, fill up your gas tank, restrooms, best routes to explore the spot etc. From on-demand audiobooks and podcasts to games you can play together to location-based apps that recommend cool stops along your route, these road trip planner apps are a must have before leaving home. 

Keep reading for the best apps as your copilot on your next big adventure.

Roadtrippers App

Gasbuddy app, roadside america app, guide along, google maps.

The Roadtrippers app is your new best friend for any road trip lover. This app lets you map your route, find points of interest, and guide you turn-by-turn so you never get lost.

Enter your starting point and destination, and the Roadtrippers app will map out the fastest or most scenic route. You can then customize the route by adding or removing stops. The app provides estimated drive times and distances for each leg of your trip so you know exactly what to expect.

The best part of road trips is stumbling upon unexpected little gems. Roadtrippers app helps you uncover quirky roadside attractions, tasty diners, scenic overlooks, and more. Just scroll through the map to see hundreds of highly-rated stops within a few miles of your route.

Once you’ve mapped your adventure, tap “Start Trip,” and the Roadtrippers, the road trip planner app will provide turn-by-turn directions to guide you down the road. The directions are spoken aloud so you can keep your eyes on the scenery instead of a map. If you miss a turn, the app will automatically recalculate to get you back on track.

For Ex: If you want to look for a California road trip itinerary , then you just have to open the app and enter your destination i.e. California in the search term. The app will show the route to the destination with all the useful and important spots enroute. 

You can try for a specific destination and even start from your location to any spot you want to end your trip.

Roadtrippers app save all your routes, stops, and favorites so you can easily pick up where you left off, planning your next getaway. You can also share your road trips with friends or use trips others have created for inspiration.

With Roadtrippers as your copilot, you’ll discover hidden gems and make memories in no time. So pack your bags, cue up your road trip playlist, and hit the open road – adventure awaits!

With my exclusive partnership with RoadTrippers App, you will get a $5 discount if you sign up using my code mentioned below.

Subscription Price:- $35.99/year Website Link:- Click Here Discount Code : BTR5QTP

GasBuddy is the second road trip planner app which uses your phone’s GPS to show gas stations close to your current location or along your intended route. It gives you the prices for regular unleaded, midgrade, premium, and diesel at each station so you can compare and save.

You simply enter your vehicle info for fuel type recommendations, like make, model, and year. The app shows you a list of stations sorted by price or distance. Tap on a station to get directions and see detailed price info for all fuel types, hours of operation, and amenities like restrooms, ATMs, or convenience stores.

GasBuddy app also offers price alerts to notify you when gas prices drop in your area. You can save your favorite stations to quickly check their latest prices. Check gas price heat maps for longer road trips to see the cheapest areas to fill up along your route.

This road trip planner app provides useful tools like a gas calculator to estimate fuel costs for your trip. You’ll find gas price trend information to know if prices are rising or dropping. For RVs and vehicles with lower gas mileage, this insight helps in planning the budget for a road adventure.

If you notice a station with inaccurate price info, you can report it to the GasBuddy app to help keep their data up to date. You can also read reviews from other drivers on the app to find the best gas stations, not just the cheapest ones.

Whether on a cross-country road trip or driving around town, GasBuddy takes the guesswork out of finding affordable fuel.

Subscription Price:- $9.99 per month or $99 per year

Website Link:- GasBuddy

The Roadside America app is your road trip guide app to the weird, wacky, and downright bizarre roadside attractions across the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re looking to stop by the World’s Largest Ball of Twine or pose with the giant Paul Bunyan statue, this app will point you to over 10,000 offbeat attractions.

Simply enter your starting point and destination, and Roadside America will map your route and pinpoint any quirky roadside attractions along the way. You can then browse the listings for each stop to see photos, read descriptions, and check hours of operation. Some spots are always open, while others have more limited access. The app will even provide directions to get you there.

As you browse the many amusing options, tap the heart icon next to any must-see attractions you want to visit. Your favorites will be saved to your profile so you can access them again on your road trip. You can also read reviews from other roadside fans to determine which spots might be worth a detour.

So before you hit the open road, download the top road trip planner Roadside America app. It’s the perfect companion for an unforgettable adventure filled with Americana kitsch and roadside wonder. Turn a long drive into an amusing escape by stopping at a few absurd attractions. You’ll return home with lots of laughs and even more stories. Road trips don’t get much weirder or wackier than this!

Subscription Price:- $1.99/region or all remaining regions ($6.99 more)

Website Link:- Click Here

The iExit app is designed to make road trips more enjoyable and less stressful. This handy app provides information for upcoming highway exits so you can easily find gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and points of interest along your route.

There’s nothing worse than running out of gas or dealing with a “hangry” crew. The iExit app displays the brands, locations, and distances of gas stations, charging stations, and places to eat at exits along your journey. You can filter by the amenities you need, like diesel fuel, EV charging, restaurants, fast food, or convenience stores. The app provides information like hours of operation, user reviews, and price ranges to help you choose wisely without wasting time or backtracking.

For longer drives, you’ll want to stop for the night to rest. The iExit app shows available hotels, motels, and campgrounds at each exit, price ranges, and amenities. You can filter specifically for pet-friendly lodging or RV accommodations if needed. Check current rates and vacancies so you can book your overnight stay on the road and not worry about finding acceptable lodging late at night.

Make your road trip more memorable by discovering unique attractions along the way. The iExit app highlights points of interest like national parks, museums, amusement parks, golf courses, wineries, and more. Learn which exits will lead to must-see roadside oddities or bucket list destinations.

The iExit app takes the guesswork out of road trip planning and helps ensure you have everything you need at each stop. Use it to map out your next family adventure or impromptu getaway and transform an ordinary drive into an unforgettable journey.

Subscription Price:- $99 for iOS

Other Helpful Apps for Your Road Trips

Once you’ve got your route mapped out and a playlist queued up, don’t forget all the other handy apps that can make your road trip even more enjoyable. Here are a few more favorites to download before hitting the open road.

This crowdsourced app provides a map of free WiFi hotspots along your route so you can stay connected on the go. See signal strength and check recent comments from other users before deciding where to stop. You’ll find WiFi at restaurants, hotels, campgrounds and more. Never go off the grid unless you want to!

Are you vegan, vegetarian, or just want healthy food options on your trip? This app lists veggie-friendly restaurants, food stores, and farmers’ markets in your area. Filter by cuisine type like vegan, gluten-free, or organic. Read reviews, see photos, and hours of operation to find somewhere delicious for your next meal.

This popular app organizes all your travel plans in one place. Forward confirmation emails from hotels, rental cars, flights, and activities, and TripIt will automatically build an itinerary for your trip. Get real-time flight updates, gate changes, and delays. Check hotel addresses and see points of interest around your destinations. The TripIt app makes staying on schedule and adapting to changes easy.

Turn your road trip into an audio tour with this app featuring guided walking tours for destinations across the U.S. and Canada. Download tours for national parks, historical sites, food scenes, and more. Then, listen as you drive to learn about attractions you’ll want to explore along your route. The app uses your GPS to automatically pause and restart the audio at points of interest. Who knew learning could be so fun on the road?

Find the location wherever your adventures take you. This popular app lets you search for locations along your trip route or at your destination. This app is completely free for any kind of user. You just need a gadget and internet connectivity.

These useful apps will equip you for an epic road trip adventure. Drive safe, have fun, and don’t forget to make lots of stops along the way!

Now, you’re all set for your next road trip adventure which you’ve been waiting for so long. Those long hours behind the wheel will breeze by with the right apps in your arsenal. Crank up the tunes, find cheap gas and tasty snacks, get turn-by-turn directions to your destination, play car games with your passengers, and capture memories that will last long after you return home. Technology has transformed road travel and even travel gear we carry. So charge your devices, pack your bags, round up your favorite people, and hit the open road. The perfect road trip is calling your name!

Logan Smith

I'm a wanderer rooted in California, USA. My love for traversing the globe fuels my mission: crafting travel guides and tips that empower fellow explorers. Drawing from my personal escapades, I aim to equip readers with practical advice for seamless journeys. Let's embark on transformative adventures together.

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Best Apps For Planning Road Trips 

Technology has transformed the way that we travel in countless ways. Paper maps and GPS navigation systems have been replaced by our iPhones and Androids, making road trip-planning apps easier. 

Travel apps help users research destinations, find good routes and accommodation deals, and book services. Some apps will even offer travel guides and allow users to check reviews and ratings from travelers. 

Check out these handy road trip planners to make your next trip much easier and more enjoyable.  

15 Best Apps For Planning a Road Trip 

Here are the best road trip apps you can download to give you peace of mind and spend more time enjoying your trip. 

Waze ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

The Waze app encourages passengers to post any eventualities on the road and lets you know when there are speed traps. This app also syncs with your google calendar and can tell you when the right time is for you to leave for appointments based on traffic. 

Waze also has hands-free navigation with voice commands.  

Cost: Free  

Google Maps ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

With pre-constructed day plans that you can customize to your liking it makes, it is one of the most versatile travel planners. This app lets you see your rental car, hotel, and restaurant bookings. In a nutshell, it helps you to build a tentative itinerary. 

The Dyrt ( The Dyrt | Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

And before you entirely decide on the cabin site you have chosen, it will help you get to read the site’s review, which is fantastic. With the reviews and photos of the site, you will be able to make the best choice for a place to stay.  

Cost: Free [upgrade for Pro features]

All Trail ( All Trails | Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

The all-trail app will also allow you to access a database of trail maps, trail guides, trail reviews, and trail photos. This makes the all trails app a great companion, especially if your road trip involves hiking. 

Gasbuddy ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store)  

But how does it help in saving you a few bucks? This app enables you to find the cheapest gas station in your area, ensuring that you do not pay more than you have to when filling up your tank. It also helps you to filter gas stations by amenities like restaurants, bathrooms, and car washes. 

The information on the app comes from other motorists like you ( as you can enter the gas prices as you travel). This ensures you always have the most up-to-date gas prices and nearby parking, guaranteeing the perfect road trip. 

Cost: Free 

Roadtrippers ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

The Roadtrippers app is built for travelers, as you can plan your journey in collaboration with your friends and families, and features an easy-to-use interface. With the Roadtrippers app, you will discover great places you can stop along your route. 

The best part of the Roadtrippers app is that it covers not only the US but also Australia, Canada, and New Zealand . While the app is free for you to maximize it ( all the good stuff) entirely, you will need to upgrade to Roadtrippers Plus, which charges $29.99 annually. 

Cost: Free [Upgrade to Plus]  You can get $5 off using our code BTR5QTP here .

Hotel Tonight ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

Hotel Tonight will help you to find a good deal on nearby hotels and motels and give you directions straight there whether you did not make plans or your overnight plans did not fall through.  

It is a user-friendly interface app that allows you to book a discounted room in minutes comfortably. No more paying double for a hotel room at the last minute! 

iExit Interstate Exit Guide ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

This app got you covered whether you are looking for well-known franchises like Walmart and Starbucks, convenient amenities like truck or trailer packing, or even free Wi-Fi. 

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Spotify ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

But you seriously need to get Spotify Premium for $9.99 a month so that you can listen to music without ads and also download playlists that you can listen to offline. It’s so worth it. 

Cost: Free {Upgrade to Premium]

Maps.Me ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

The Map. Me is famous worldwide and will help you with your precious time with exceptional navigation. What’s more, is that with the Map. Me app you can make your travel more enjoyable by utilizing the app’s fantastic ready-made travel guides.  

The ready-made travel guides have been curated with some assistance from some of the best travel content creators in the world—the Map. Me app is also great as it includes GPS navigation, offline search, and optimized maps that effectively save memory space on your phone.  

Packpoint ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

It is a free travel packing organizer and packing planner designed to help you travel smart. This app will help you organize what you need to pack based on the length of your travel, typical weather at the destination, and activities that you wish to plan for the trip. 

After you build your packing list , you can share it with your friends and families to help them pack better. For the best results while using this app, you will need to input details such as: 

• Departure date 
• Number of nights that you plan to stay 
• Destination city 

The best part of this app has to be that it turns a mundane chore into something quite fun. 

ParkMe Parking ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

This app also has a feature that helps you estimate the parking cost you will have to pay before parking in a particular spot. It will also allow you to compare prices across parking providers, helping you save a buck. 

In most cities, ParkMe also displays real-time parking availability and allows you to reserve parking at certain lots and garages. 

Using the ParkMe app will help you avoid spending hours searching for the right parking spot making your road trip experience even more pleasant.  

Yelp ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

With the Yelp app that features over 100 million reviews on businesses worldwide, you can search for the closest and best-rated restaurants, services, and shops. The best part is that you can refine your search by filtering the results by price, ratings, neighborhood, distance, and what’s open now.  

With millions of reviews written by local experts, you will surely get the best recommendations for your needs. And more importantly, you will be able to avoid restaurants that flirt too closely with the health code. 

Cost : Free 

TripIt Travel Planner ( Google Play Store | Apple App Store )

TripIt will also allow you to sync travel plans to your calendar or share them with anyone you choose using this app. The app also lets you stay aware of evolving travel landscape with guidelines, restrictions, and requirements that can easily be viewed using the trip itinerary screen in the app. 

TripIt has a free version that is fine for road trips, but if you are flying, the premium version allows you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles. 

Cost: Free [upgrade to Pro]

Airbnb ( Google Play Store | Apple Store )

In addition to booking a place to stay while on your road trip, the Airbnb app now also offers city guides written by savvy locals, workshops, host meet-ups with fellow travelers, and even get some audio walking guides. 

Airbnb will help you get a taste of wherever you are traveling to, irrespective of how long you are staying there. So, whether you are booking rental home weeks in advance or looking for a last-minute place to sleep, the Airbnb app will help you through. 

We hope you’ve discovered a useful travel app for your next road trip on this list. Don’t forget before your next journey to check out our complete guide to road trip essentials – it includes a downloadable family travel checklist to help getting your car and your family ready for your next big adventure on the road.

© Family Road Trip

Planning A Road Trip In Australia: Essential Tips For First Timers

20 Essential Travel Apps for Awesome Road Trips

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on November 1, 2023
• Published on August 14, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

When I was a kid on family vacation, I sat in the backseat of the car with nothing more than a paper map and a pen to trace our route. I always knew where I was, and where we were going, but nothing else. Today’s world is different; road trips are dominated by mobile apps and GPS devices meant to connect us to the world before we even arrive. But which apps do you really need?

These are my favorite apps that I use almost daily when road tripping. I’ve had most of these for years now, but I’m always looking for something new to develop. Here are my favorite apps for road trips.

Road Trip Planning

Every great road trip needs to start with a plan. That plan may be nothing more than a route from Point A to Point B. But sometimes, a road trip plan needs to include business hours of attractions, various routes to drive, and things to do along the way. That’s where these next few apps come in handy.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is the ultimate planning resource for any road trip. The app contains thousands of user-generated points of interest like parks, museums, attractions, and restaurants. The user interface is pretty simple: launch the app, search a map of your current location, or use the search bar for another destination. With the app you can save POIs, create routes, and plan entire road trips.

The app is free to download, and the free account allows you to search, save, and plan your road trip. For $29.99/year users can subscribe to Roadtrippers Plus that allows you to design longer routes and download maps for offline use.

iOS (iPhone and iPad) | Android

Google Maps

Google Maps is my favorite tool for planning the route of a road trip. I begin the process on my laptop by entering a starting and ending point for a road trip, then I click to drag the route to include other destinations along the way. Once I have a route established, I begin scouring the mapping tool for POIs. My Maps is a way of creating fully customized road trip routes and itineraries you can then access through Google Maps.

The app is free to download and use. My Maps is also a free utility by Google.

Roadside America

Roadside America is one of the most fun apps for road tripping. The app is filled with listings for quirky roadside attractions like largest fire hydrant, oldest tree, and a cellphone tower in Mississippi designed to look like the Washington Monument. The app uses your current location to show a list of nearby attractions, or you can manually search for an upcoming destination. Details for each listing include GPS address for directions, hours of operation, and what to expect when you arrive.

The app is free to download and users are allowed to select one region for free. The app divides the US into six regions with each region costing $1.99 to unlock.

iOS (iPhone only)

Fantastical

For the longest time I was just like so many other travelers who kept a loose itinerary scribbled on a notepad. Eventually, I got frustrated with arriving at a museum five minutes after it closed or a restaurant on the one day a week it wasn’t open. I started taking notes in the calendar app and planning itineraries.

Fantastical is without a doubt the most powerful calendar app I have ever used. Using Cloud storage, the app flawlessly links the calendars on my phone, tablet, and computer for easy planning. I can create multiple calendars; I have a calendar for travel times, places to explore, and lodging. It’s also really easy to drag and drop to move items around so I can still be spontaneous, but have a bit of a plan.

iOS (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch)

During the Road Trip

There is no greater travel feeling in the world than hitting the start of a road trip. But the moment the trip starts, so do the necessities. Where is the next gas station? Place to eat? What’s the weather doing tomorrow? These next few apps will help you keep the road trip going once you’re on the road.

Once upon a time I was one of those people who would spend thirty minutes sitting in gridlocked traffic to get to the other side of town so I could save three cents per gallon on gasoline. I’m not quite that picky anymore, but I do still use the GasBuddy app when I’m traveling.

Just two clicks after opening the app will load a map with my current location and all the gas stations nearby. GasBuddy is user-generated content, so someone needs to have inputted the gas prices for you to see that price as you scroll the map. But in my experience about 70% of the gas stations will have a price. It is without a doubt the easiest way to find a gas station and check the price while traveling.

iOS (iPhone, iPad, Watch) | Android

National Park Week 2024

Learn about the annual celebration of the National Park System and read my travel guides to national park units across the country.

My Golden Rule for Road Trips is to never travel an interstate highway. However, I realize that’s not always possible or desirable. For those times you find yourself driving hours on the interstate, iExit is a great way of finding food, lodging, and gas.

Think of iExit as a preview of all the interstate highway signs you’ll pass. The app uses your current GPS location and heading to create a list of exits ahead of you. Each exit lists an icon for gas, food, lodging, transportation, and so much more. Click on the exit number and you’re given details of all the businesses along with websites, phone numbers, and even gas prices!

Everybody needs a little music for a road trip! I have been a big fan of Pandora almost since the app first debuted years ago. Although I have tried Spotify in the past, and it has a huge following, I have found Pandora to be the better app for road trip music.

For $4.99 per month, the Pandora Plus plan, which is the plan I use, you get an ad-free experience, unlimited skipping, replaying songs, and higher quality audio. For $12.99 per month, Pandora Premium also allows you to search for particular songs to play on demand. And for those times in the mountains where you inevitably lose cellular signal, both plans allow you to listen to music on four channels in offline mode.

AccuWeather

I once watched a document about how meteorologists generate their predictions for the weather forecast. I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized there were almost two dozen models and basically the person standing in front of the camera just picks one.

Over the years, I have found AccuWeather to be the most accurate for predicting the weather. The radar loads pretty quickly, even in low-signal areas, and the hourly forecast is usually pretty close to accurate. It’s on the first screen of my phone because it’s one of my most-used road trip apps.

One of my favorite features of the app is the weather alerts. Severe weather such as approaching thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and heat are pushed to devices as soon as they are issued. On my Apple Watch, I’ll receive a notification so I’ll know if I need to duck for cover on a trail.

iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) | Android

Finding Things to Do on a Road Trip

Even with all the meticulous planning and research, being spontaneous is still a great feeling on a road trip. These next few apps are great at helping you find things to do based on your current location, so they’re actually better to use on the road than sitting at home.

It was love at first sight when I discovered this app. AllTrails is my go-to app for finding hiking trails, but there is so much more to the app than just a search engine. This app has grown over the years to be a fantastic planning and recording tool for outdoor adventures.

The app syncs smoothly with their website so you can begin the planning from the comfort of your computer, but hopefully not while you’re at work. The website and app has a search feature to quickly find a specific trail, state or national park, or destination you want to hike. You can also search via map if you know the route you are driving and want to find something interesting along the way.

With the app on your phone and smartwatch, upgrade to their AllTrails Pro plan for the option to download hiking maps for offline use. With their free plan, you can create lists to easily find particular trails later and you can record your hike for posterity!

iOS (iPhone, Watch) | Android

The Outbound

When I first came across The Outbound, I realized I had stumbled upon more than just an app for finding outdoor adventures. It was a community of travelers who thrive in the outdoors, create stories of their adventures, and share points of interest for others to find.

The app has a pretty amazing search feature, and you can also use your current location to search for adventures on a map. The adventures include information on how to get there, where to park, admission if applicable, and photos of previous users who have taken the option. It’s more than just hiking trails; The Outbound is all about getting outside, so the app includes parks, trails, waterways, beaches, pretty much anything that puts the sun on your face.

Google Maps is a great tool for finding business nearby, but what about the menu at a restaurant, ratings at the bar, and photos to get you inspired? Yelp is my absolute favorite tool for finding food, museums, and shopping as I travel.

It’s user-generated content so you know you can trust the reviews, although a few false Yelpers have snuck onto the platform over the years. The greatest advantage of the app is the access to information like photos of the menu, hours of operation, website address, and phone number. Be sure to sort the reviews in order of rating instead of Yelp’s built-in suggestion for the most accurate picture of what to expect.

I was never a big fan of Groupon until I came across the Powder Magazine in Charleston, South Carolina. I was visiting for a week and wanted to check out some of the museums. When I walked into the two-room museum, the manager asked if I had the Groupon discount. As it turns out, for just two dollars more than general admission I could have an annual pass! I used it twice that week and saved money.

The Groupon app uses filters based on your interests to help find discounts on admissions to museums and attractions, discounts on meals (especially for families), and opportunities for discounted packages for travel. I have found guided tours through the Groupon app not listed anywhere else that led to some wonderful times!

Where to Stay on a Road Trip

Sleep in your car, grab a hotel room, or park your RV, everyone needs to sleep at some point on a road trip. I prefer to sleep every night. These next few apps are my favorites for finding a comfortable and safe place to get some sleep, and some of these apps have perks I quite enjoy.

Trucker Path

I discovered Trucker Path during my three years of road tripping in a camper van. The app is designed for truckers, but it works just as well for people who sleep in their vehicle. The app locates truck stops on a map and lists details such as number of showers, current gas prices, and other amenities.

With filters, uses can narrow the list to particular chains of truck stops or even Walmart’s that allow overnight parking. Reviews of the stops are also helpful, even for non-truckers, in deciding if it would be a good place to spend the night.

There are a lot of apps for finding and booking hotel rooms, but I have always used Hotels.com for one simple reason: book ten nights and you get one free. The one free night is worth the average of the ten previous nights, so don’t expect to spend a free night at a five-star resort, but you’ll still get a good deal.

The app has a wonderful search feature using your current location with filters for whittling down the list to find exactly what you want. Details on each hotel includes amenities, types of rooms, and nearby attractions. Sometimes, the app includes discounts for getting a few dollars off the price of a room.

I have booked hotel rooms while sitting in the parking lot and walked inside to find the reservation already registered. It’s usually pretty fast, and after ten years of using the app I’ve only had a reservation lost once.

Pro Travel Tip: Hotels usually do not list every room on third-party booking websites like Hotels.com or Expedia. If you’re browsing a booking app and the hotel doesn’t have any vacancies, it’s possible they still have rooms – just not on the app. Give the hotel a call and see if they have any available rooms.

Using the Airbnb app during a road trip can get a bit tricky. Airbnb has grown as the world’s top resource for short-term rentals, otherwise known as a place to spend a vacation that is owned by an individual instead of a company.

When planning ahead, Airbnb can lead to fantastic lodging options in places you otherwise could not afford. Sometimes the rental includes only a bedroom in an occupied house, but quite frequently the lodging has a private entrance or includes the entire property.

The only downside to using the Airbnb app while traveling is spontaneity. Owners of properties must approve renters, and sometimes that takes a day or two. If the owner does not live on site, it can also be difficult to get access with less than a forty-eight hour notice. When using the Airbnb app to book lodging, plan ahead.

Capturing Memories on a Road Trip

How often do you use your cellphone to capture photos and videos on a road trip? Cellphones have become the most common way to capture memories during all sorts of travel. Although I’m still a DSLR photographer, I use several apps and features with my phone and tablet to capture better photos and videos to remember my trips.

The Photographer’s Ephemeris

The Photographer’s Ephemeris has been my favorite travel app for years. It’s a bit overkill for the average road tripper, but I have it to be essential. The app uses Open Street Maps to find your location and then shows lines depicting the direction of sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset.

I use the app constantly while road tripping to determine the best place to see a stunning sunset. When I get close to the last hour of sunlight, I use the satellite image option of the map to begin looking for a scenic overlook with a view of sunset.

I would label this an essential app for anyone traveling through national parks, scenic byways, and coastal areas. Everybody enjoys a great sunset, right?

GoldenHour.One

I use the GoldenHour.One app with a grain of salt, but it’s still useful. At the very least, the app displays sunrise and sunset times along with Golden Hour and Blue Hour times for great photography.

The one feature I use the most is the Weather feature. The app uses local weather reports to determine the chances of seeing a brilliantly colorful sunrise or sunset. On a scale of 1-10, the app will announce opportunities like, “Decent chance to catch a good photo.” However, I will admit the app’s fortune telling are wrong as often as right, but it’s still a good tool.

Have you ever wanted to take manual control of your cellphone camera? For most people, this answer would be an emphatic no. But for those who would like a little bit of control for better photos on road trips, I highly recommend the Camera+ 2 app.

The app allows the user to take manual control of the ISO, shutter speed, and white balance of photos. The user can also manually pick where the camera focuses, especially useful when you want the subject off-center.

The app comes with several pre-defined shooting settings like Portrait, Macro, and RAW. The RAW feature is the one of the best because it allows users to fully edit a photo later for better results.

Pro Camera by Moment

Moment is a company founded on a simple principal: help people capture better quality photos and video on a cellphone. They started with a series of high-quality lenses that screw into custom phone cases, but since then they have expanded with a rather wonderful app.

The Pro Camera app is better camera app than the one that comes with your phone. The app is set for automatic camera settings by default, but more advanced photographers can set custom values for ISO, exposure, and focus. The app also comes with presets for custom settings on demand for special effects. Since buying the full set of lenses, the Moment camera app has become my go-to for photography on the road.

Even the best of photographers need to post-process their images, and don’t let them try to convince you otherwise! The Snapseed app is the best mobile image editing software I have used, and that includes the cumbersome Lightroom.

With Snapseed, it is simple to open the most recent image or quickly browse for a previous photo. The app has the ability to process DNG files captured in RAW format. A full suite of tools are available including levels, crop and rotate, white balance, and about a dozen other tools for special effects. When you’re done editing, you can save a copy or overwrite the original, all within seconds of capturing the photo.

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Waze is a community driven navigation app that helps millions of users get to where they’re going through real-time road alerts and an up-to-the-moment map. Thanks to our network of drivers, Waze saves you time by instantly alerting you to traffic, construction, crashes, police and more. From traffic-avoiding reroutes, real-time safety updates and low gas price alerts, Waze is a community of drivers helping other drivers. With Waze you… Get there faster: traffic-avoiding route updates Avoid tickets: know where police, speedcams and redlight cams are located More accurate ETAs: based on live traffic, construction, weather and more Community-based navigation: real-time updates from other drivers Save money: find the cheapest gas along your route Avoid tolls: see toll pricing when you choose a route Use Apple CarPlay: sync Waze to your car’s built-in display Live Speedometer: get alerts when you’re speeding and avoid costly tickets Customize your drive: get directions from your favorite celebs and characters No app switching: use your favorite audio apps right from Waze Drive safer and smarter, with Waze! You can manage your in-app Waze Privacy Settings at any time. Learn more about the Waze privacy policy here, www.waze.com/legal/privacy. Waze directions are not intended for emergency or oversized vehicles.

Version 4.103

Saving time & avoiding traffic is even easier with this update: Fixed a bug so you can still see your route even if you lose internet connection.

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Editors’ notes.

People power meets the open road in this amazing navigation app. Waze’s crowd-sourced alerts come from real drivers, not algorithms, delivering info you won’t see anywhere else to keep your commute flowing. The friendly interface and convenient detour routing really help the app shine, and its social-network integration make road trips with buddies a blast.

Battery drain, several issues

The battery drain when I use Waze is unreal. I was at 43%, opened Waze & drove for about 12 minutes, decided to add a stop. I looked at my screen and the low battery 20% alert was up!! All of my background apps were closed, and there was no reason for my battery to plummet that quickly. Sometimes my app won’t show my icon but shows the “shadow” of where it’s supposed to be. Another issue is that it doesn’t show all routes. I know a certain route isn’t normally the fastest, but I also know my city’s traffic patterns and it won’t show it. Also, I’m in the top 1%, but how do I know when I’m getting close to losing that prestige? How do I see if the population is catching up to me? Finally, the fact that it doesn’t tell you whether your destination is on the left or right is so irritating and basic that I’m shocked it’s not a feature. I wish there was a feature where you could customize which “hazards” to voice prompt. For example, I couldn’t care less about a car on the shoulder ahead, and it’s annoying to have my music interrupted by that stupid hazard alert. But I would want to know if there’s a pothole ahead, an object in the road, or a police reported ahead. Create a way to narrow down the voice prompts! Why do the other Waze avatar icons around me never move? Speaking of Waze “people” icons, please come out with more options!

Love it & Hate it all at the same time.

I have been using Waze for about a month now I commute Just over 1000 miles a week. I really like that many people are out there using it and that you get vital information like a car’s coming up on the shoulder, objects in the road and where the police are camping at. The only problem I have with Waze I’d like to see some changes is that there are too many choices to make when reporting information, for example if I want to report a car on the side of the road I have to hit four different selections before my information is sent meanwhile I’m trying to look at the screen to find a small button and not paying attention to what is on the road. Reporting information needs to be simplified for the driver no more than two clicks to report a hazard something along the lines of the first click hazard second click “car on shoulder” or “car in lane” or “object in lane”. Decision making buttons need to be a little larger like when you’re confirming a hazard on the road is it still there yes or no the buttons are too small and I often miss them and not able to confirm the information information. May be a few seconds before you approach the hazard two large buttons could pop up and simply confirm yes or no is it there. I will say this I do enjoy using it and it is much better than Google maps or other navigation apps out there.

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The developer, Waze Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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Best Road Trip Route Planner Apps For iPhone

In this article, we’re about to embark on a digital odyssey to discover the best route planner apps in 2024 – because let’s face it, navigating the open road shouldn’t feel like deciphering a treasure map from the 18th century. Forget about arguing over paper maps that never fold back the way they should or trying to interpret cryptic highway signs; we’re diving into the world of apps to plan road trip routes that make road-tripping as smooth as a well-paved highway.

Looking for a full-fledge navigation app? Try these best navigation and maps apps for iPhone .

Route Planner Apps for iPhone

Buckle up, put on your favorite driving playlist, and get ready to explore the app-filled wonderland that will turn your road trip from a wild goose chase into a well-orchestrated symphony of snacks, pit stops, and scenic routes. Let the app adventure begin!

1. Roadtrippers – Trip Planner

Embark on the journey of a lifetime with Roadtrippers, the ultimate companion for transforming your road trips into epic adventures. Proudly holding the title of the #1 road trip planning app in the U.S. and Canada, Roadtrippers has facilitated over 38 million meticulously planned trips, spanning an impressive 42 billion miles. Whether you’re seeking the perfect RV trip planner or simply plotting your next scenic drive, Roadtrippers is your go-to route planner maps app for crafting unforgettable routes, complete with turn-by-turn navigation to guide you seamlessly along the way.

Dive into the vast tapestry of possibilities as you explore millions of places, ranging from local diners and quirky roadside attractions to scenic viewpoints, national parks, and cozy hotels. Let your wanderlust run wild, drawing inspiration from our pre-made trip guides that showcase some of the most intriguing and once-in-a-lifetime routes you absolutely must experience. No matter your location, you’re just moments away from discovering something truly amazing.

Gain access to a myriad of premium features, including the convenience of RV-friendly GPS navigation, exclusive member discounts, offline maps for those off-the-grid excursions, collaborative trip planning, personalized map styles, and much more. The road ahead is yours to conquer, and Roadtrippers ensures you have the tools for the journey.

Install Roadtrippers – Trip Planner from the App Store today .

2. RoadWarrior Route Planner

Next on our list of the best route planner apps is RoadWarrior. The app empowers you to plan delivery routes effortlessly, accommodating multiple destinations with precision. Whether you’re a last-mile driver or a dispatcher handling hundreds of stops, our app provides the tools you need to customize routes and seamlessly synchronize between web and mobile platforms. Road-tested since 2013, our reliability has been bolstered through a recent partnership with MapQuest, amplifying our capabilities in mapping, routing, fleet management, and logistics planning.

Navigate with confidence as RoadWarrior optimizes your routes for speed and fuel efficiency. Trust in our best-in-class optimization and driver-first design that has won the loyalty of thousands of drivers who have experienced significant savings in time, money, and gas.

Enjoy the convenience of uploading addresses in bulk through RoadWarrior’s quick upload tool. Specifically tailored for FedEx and OnTrac drivers, this one of the best iPhone route planner apps offers lightning-fast address and manifest file uploads. For added flexibility, drag and drop your stops to swiftly adjust your route in seconds, ensuring you remain in control of your journey.

Install RoadWarrior Route Planner from the App Store today .

3. PlaceMaker Route Planner

With PlaceMaker, you can effortlessly plan routes with up to 500 stops per journey. No more navigating through complicated interfaces—the user-friendly design ensures a hassle-free experience. Easily view your stops on a map or launch your preferred navigation app with just a tap.

Unlock the power of route optimization with the in-app purchase feature. Take advantage of the premium versions to optimize your stop sequence, making your trips more time and fuel-efficient. Not sure about the order? No worries, manually sort your stops or let PlaceMaker optimize the order for you.

Create lists of stops quickly and intuitively. Sort them by distance from your current location for convenience, manually arrange them to fit your preference, or let PlaceMaker optimize the order for you. Get a clear view of the estimated travel time and distance to each stop. Stay informed and make informed decisions to enhance your overall journey experience. Whether you’re on a tight schedule or just trying to make the most of your time, PlaceMaker keeps you in the loop.

Install PlaceMaker Route Planner from the App Store today .

4. Roadie: Road Trip Planner & RV

Roadie, your go-to road trip planner designed for adventurers and campers alike. Whether you’re sketching out your annual cross-country expedition or living the van life dream in your campervan, Roadie is your key to the ultimate road trip experience.

One of Roadie’s standout features is its intuitive multi-stop route planning. Picture yourself seamlessly charting your journey on an interactive map, effortlessly dropping pins at every stop, from attractions and trails to national parks. Not only can you add as many locations as you want, but you can also enrich each stop with personalized notes, creating a dynamic and tailored itinerary.

Navigating the vast landscapes becomes a breeze with Roadie’s ability to display distances and driving times between waypoints. Efficiently plan your time on the road while staying mindful of gas and fuel consumption, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable adventure.

Fuel your wanderlust even more by sharing your meticulously planned trip with friends. Collaborate effortlessly, like you would on Google My Maps, to uncover the most captivating sights and discover the perfect overnight stays along the route.

Install Roadie: Road Trip Planner & RV from the App Store now .

5. inRoute – Intelligent Routing

Discover the power of inRoute, your intelligent routing companion designed to transform your travel experience. With a host of innovative features, inRoute goes beyond traditional navigation, allowing you to plan optimal routes and customize your journey based on weather, elevation, curves, and more.

Imagine having the ability to navigate through up to 150 locations seamlessly, guided by a voice that not only directs your every turn but also keeps you informed about potential severe weather along your route. This dynamic feature ensures your safety by automatically checking for weather alerts, allowing you to make informed decisions during your journey.

Take control of your route planning with the flexibility to optimize waypoint order for the fastest travel time or manually reorder them according to your preferences. Importing routes has never been easier – with compatibility for XLSX, GPX, and KML files, seamlessly integrate your existing data into inRoute for a personalized experience.

Design your own adventure by creating custom routes based on specific criteria such as weather conditions, elevation changes, and curviness. Alternatively, construct your route organically by choosing from available alternates at each leg of your journey. Interactive charts provide a visual representation of route elevation, curviness, and detailed weather information, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed/direction, and sunrise/sunset times.

Install inRoute – Intelligent Routing from the App Store now .

6. Upper Route Planner Optimizer

Upper Route Planner Optimizer is your ultimate solution for efficient and stress-free deliveries. Tired of manually plotting addresses on maps? Bid farewell to those time-consuming tasks as Upper Route Planner streamlines the process by automating and optimizing your routes, making the entire experience seamless and hassle-free.

Whether you prefer manually adding stops, importing them from XLS or CSV files, or capturing manifests through photos or printouts, Upper Route Planner has you covered. This user-friendly app adapts to your workflow, ensuring a smooth planning experience regardless of your data input preferences.

Experience route planning without the guesswork. The cutting-edge algorithm in the app optimizes routes with up to 500 stops, taking into account essential parameters such as time windows, priority stops, special instructions, highway preferences, and toll road avoidance. It’s comprehensive route optimization right at your fingertips.

Install Upper Route Planner Optimizer from the App Store now .

Wrapping Up

Embarking on a road trip is not just a journey; it’s an adventure waiting to unfold, and with the best route planner apps free by your side, the thrill becomes even more exhilarating. From navigating scenic routes to discovering hidden gems, these road trip route planner apps seamlessly integrate technology with wanderlust, transforming your ordinary drive into an extraordinary experience. With the perfect blend of convenience and exploration, these road trip planner apps redefine the way we hit the open road.

So, buckle up and let these apps to create multi-stop routes, be your co-pilots, guiding you through uncharted territories, suggesting pit stops, and ensuring that every twist and turn is filled with excitement.

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THERE’S A ROAD TRIP APP THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU—LIKE THE AAA APP, ROADTRIPPERS, AUTIO, AND IEXIT

By sara miller | april 10, 2024 | 4 min read.

Taking a road trip? You’ve mapped out your destination, and you’re ready to go. What happens from point A to Point B will be filled with questions. Where do you stop for gas or food? Would this town make a nice stopover? These apps answer these questions, making the journey just as fun as the destination.

AUTIO If you’re a history buff like actor Kevin Costner,  is the app for you. Costner co-founded Autio, an app that matches stories to your exact location. Costner himself narrates a handful of the stories along with Phil Jackson (New York Knicks coach/player), John Lithgow (actor), and a host of other narrators.

Stories about history, sports, culture, music, natural wonders, and more transform road trips into fascinating adventures. You might even be inspired to pull over and explore more. With 11,000+ stories across America (and more being added), you’ll uncover tales in remote, off-the-beaten-path locales and big city secrets.

Try a five-story free trial. AAA members save 25% on Autio’s annual subscription. Learn More

AAA MOBILE APP This app is like your own “pocket travel agent.” Exclusive and free to AAA members, the AAA app handles it all—towing, travel, benefits, and more. For starters, you can use it to book hotels. Unlike other apps that use third party booking, you can rest assured by booking directly with hotels that show dependable Diamond Ratings. Find restaurant suggestions and cheapest gas prices that match your location. Rent a car or purchase airfare? No problem, you can do this through the app and get automatic AAA discounts.

Beyond vacation, this app helps with everyday travel needs. If you're ever stranded, you can get help in seconds, plus you can track your tow truck in real time. And, what about those benefits AAA offers? You can easily access discount partners, save your favorites, and find offerings near you.

Learn about the AAA mobile app. Learn More

ROADTRIPPERS Oh, the places you’ll go, thanks to the Roadtrippers app. With cartoon illustrations that link you to fun travel finds, this app will make getting from A to Z even better. Disney World is the “Happiest Place on Earth,” but what are you missing just around the corner? With more than 300 places that people have personally experienced, you can plan that next road trip confident that you won’t miss a thing.

Roadtrippers’ newest feature allows RVers to select a route that fits their needs by inputting their rig’s size and propane restrictions. Like other apps, this one is Android and Apple compatible.

Interested? Roadtrippers can start a free, 7-day trial. Then, if not canceled, you’ll automatically be charged the $59.99 annual membership (that equals $4.99 a month). Annual subscriptions also automatically charge unless canceled.

IEXIT RVers and highway travelers take note, iExit is here to help. “Should I get off at this exit?” is the panicked question asked by millions cruising down the interstate at 65 mph. It’s easy to miss “the exit” for best food, hotels, even the best gas prices. The iExit app—compatible with iPhone and Android devices—solves your exit dilemma woes.

How does it work? Similar to other GPS maps, you can tell which exit has that burger and chocolate milkshake you crave. Or, you might want to continue five exits up for Italian food and cheaper gas prices. You’ll also know ahead of time to turn left off the exit, and that the distance to the gas station, for example, is .5 miles. The app uses crowd-sourced information and user reviews to provide the timeliest information for users.

Interested? iExit is free, but it comes with ads. If you want the ad-free version it’s just $2—not per month—just a one-time fee.

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21 best Apple CarPlay apps every driver needs

Looking for CarPlay compatible apps? Here are 21 you shouldn't miss.

• Podcasts & Books
• EVs & Parking

Apple CarPlay is an invaluable tool for drivers, taking all the best iPhone apps and features and making them safer to use while you’re driving. Whether you want communication, music, podcasts or just need to figure out where to go, CarPlay can put the essential apps front and center. So long as you know which apps actually work with it.

There are a lot of apps out there that work with CarPlay, but not all do, and not all apps that are CarPlay-compatible are worth it. So, to save you that hassle, these are the top Apple CarPlay apps every driver should be using.

Your iPhone already has a bunch of Apple apps installed when you take it out of the box, and a lot of them are available on CarPlay when you're driving. While you always have the choice to use third party apps, these cover most of the basics and should prove to be valuable tools out on the road.

Phone: Possibly the one Apple app you'll use the most with CarPlay is the phone app. Phone calls are the best way to communicate with the outside world safely, since it means you can call anyone (or vice versa) and speak to them without the hassle of back-and-forth messages. 

The Phone CarPlay app has access to your full contacts list, favorites, recent calls, voicemail and your keypad. You can even talk to Siri and ask her to make a call for you, so you can keep your eyes on the road and avoid messing about with a touchscreen instead of concentrating.

Messages: If phone calls aren't your style, then Messages can step into help. The Message CarPlay app lets you see all the messages you receive, and tapping them means Siri reads them all out to you — so your eyes don't deviate from the road. You can also ask Siri to send messages to your contacts with nothing more than a voide command.

Apple Music: With more than 100 million songs, curated playlists, original content and access to digital radio stations, Apple Music is a great companion to have in your car. There's even Dolby Atmos spatial audio support if you're lucky enough to have a car  that supports it. The only thing Apple Music doesn't have is Podcasts, which can be found in the Apple Podcasts app. 

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Just make sure you have a valid subscription, whether it's Apple Music or the Apple One bundle.

Apple Podcasts: If you're more a fan of podcast hosts over radio DJs, then Apple Podcasts has what you need. You'll be able to listen to your favorite series as well as find new ones thanks to personalized recommendations and top charts in almost every category. Apple Music subscribers will also have access to exclusive premium content.

Audiobooks: This is a version of the Apple Books app on your iPhone, but it cuts out everything with written words in favor of literature that's read to you. Because we all have hectic lives, and that backlog of books isn't getting any smaller, and there's no better time to make progress than when you're stuck in the car. 

Unfortunately there are no subscriptions here, and you'll need to purchase each individual title.

Apple Maps: It had a rocky start but  Apple Maps  has evolved into one of the best navigation apps around. Better still, you don't need a separate user account, and Siri voice controls are enabled by default. Plus, with the  addition of offline navigation with iOS 17 , you should be able to find where you need to go no matter what the local cell signal is like.

Spotify: The big name in music streaming offers more than 100 million songs, either with ads or without — depending on whether you're willing to pay to subscribe or not. With personalized recommendations and sharable playlists, it's one of the better options if you'd rather get your music from someone who isn't Apple. There are also audiobooks and podcasts built-in, too.

Tidal: If you're more interested in high-fidelity streaming, then you probably know about Tidal. The idea here is that subscribers get access to music in much higher quality than you would on other platforms, with up to 80 million songs on offer. Tidal also claims to pay better royalties to musicians than its rivals — in case you want to better support your favorite artists. 

YouTube Music: If you have YouTube Premium to escape the never-ending adpocalypse, then you have YouTube Music Premium thrown in as well. That means you don't need to subscribe to Apple or Spotify to listen to some ad-free tunes on your daily commute. Over 100 millions songs are available to listen uninterrupted, offline and while your screen is locked.

VLC: If you're not into subscriptions, streaming and personalized features, then there's always VLC. It's the perfect app for listening to music and other audio files offline, without having to pay for ongoing access. The only downside is that you need to have sourced the files from some other source, be they ripped from CDs or purchased from non-Apple stores.

Google Maps : The biggest name in mobile navigation, and with good reason. Google Maps has just about everything you could want when you're driving. Real time traffic updates, offline navigation and the ability to search for businesses and locations along your route. It even works with Siri voice commands, albeit not quite as sleekly as Apple Maps does out of the box.

Waze: Waze is a popular navigation choice thanks to its uniquely aggressive way of getting you around. The app may not be quite as data rich as Google Maps or Apple Maps, but its popularity stems from the fact will do everything it can to get your ETA as low as physically possible and actively changes your route to avoid as much traffic as it can find.

Podcasts & Audiobooks

Audible: Amazon's audiobook service has a lot, especially if you have a subscription. Not only does that get you 1-2 audiobooks per month (depending on your plan), there's also a whole range of free podcasts to download and listen to. Plus-tier subscribers also get access to a library of free audiobooks with their plan, which means you shouldn't be running out of stuff to listen to in the car anytime soon.

Overcast: Overcast is a great platform for those of you with an existing playlist of podcasts you love, but also want to discover some more. The app also feature Smart Boost to skip over silent spots and a Voice Boost feature for consistent sound throughout each episode; there's nothing more frustrating than having a host and guests who whisper interspersed with booming ads. 

Google Play Books : If you're a recent Android convert, you may still have some audiobooks tied to your Google account. Thankfully those are available on iPhone and CarPlay as well. Of course, like Apple Books, you'll be denied access to any print books when you're driving — which is definitely for the best.

Castro: Designed to make it easier to keep on top of your favorite podcasts and new episodes, Castro uses an inbox-style system to deliver new episodes as and when they arrive. From there you set up relevant episodes in your queue, and the app will make its way through them all until you rearrange everything.

Spotify : Spotify isn't just about music; the app offers a huge range of podcasts and audiobooks for you to listen to as well. Podcasts are free to listen to, but audiobooks will require a Premium subscription. 

Weather on the Way: Any weather app can give you a forecast for your destination, but what about the weather you’ll experience along the way? Weather on the Way, as the name suggests, can do it.

Not only will weather affect road conditions, it may also change the way you’re driving. If you’re going to drive through a serious patch of rain or snow, you can make sure you’re prepared to handle it all. CarPlay support means you can keep tabs on the upcoming weather as you drive.

MyRadar Weather Radar: This is the kind of app more suited to meteorological nerds with the kind of data you just don't see in a typical weather app. MyRadar shows off high definition radar maps of the weather headed your way, so you can see what you need to be prepared for when you're in your car. It also features alerts for rain and storms, alongside more serious threats like tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes.

Charging and Parking

Plugshare: If you’re an electric car owner, you know there’s going to be a time when you need to hunt down a charger. PlugShare features a map of EV chargers across the United States, offering charging stations from a multitude of different charging companies. It doesn’t have every charger, but if you’re in a pinch you can hunt down a compatible charging station from your center console. It even has a trip planner, just in case your car can’t do that automatically.

SpotHero: Parking can sometimes be a real hassle. But  SpotHero  is an app that lets you reserve parking in major cities ahead of time. Not only does this mean you know there’s going to be a spot available for you when you arrive, it can work out slightly cheaper that way. The app listing includes parking garages, lots and valets across the U.S., and the fact it’s compatible with CarPlay means you (or your passenger) can sort out a parking spot mid-journey.

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Dear Abby: I’m giving my parents their dream vacation - and they still want more

• Published: Apr. 16, 2024, 3:49 a.m.

• Abigail Van Buren

DEAR ABBY: I’m a professional, well-educated adult who moved back home because of concerns about my father’s health as well as having landed a much better job. As an extra perk, I’ve been able to save money to pay toward my student loans, as well as spoil my parents a bit as they grow older.

I recently gifted my parents (for the second time) their dream vacation. They loved it the first time and never imagined they’d be able to do it twice. Because my parents still have a minor child who cannot remain alone, I am choosing, as I did last time, to use my personal vacation time to babysit. My mother has been planning the details of her upcoming trip and has now asked me to take more time off work so they can have a road trip after their vacation.

Abby, I am already draining every bit of my time off for their weeklong vacation and will not be able to have a vacation myself until later in the year when I accrue more time. I know she’s requesting this to make the trip more fun for my father. Although I am a generous and patient person, this has left me feeling almost speechless, a bit unappreciated and frustrated. Am I overreacting? Should I find a way to extend their trip? -- LIMITED IN OHIO

DEAR LIMITED: The answer to both of your questions is NO. Your mother apparently doesn’t appreciate how generous you have been in providing these vacations for her and your father. If she wants to extend their holiday, she should make her own arrangements for your sibling to be supervised if she and your dad won’t be available to do it themselves. Shame on her for trying to foist that responsibility onto you.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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Racing legend Valtteri Bottas’ ‘second’ car is now available on Uber Carshare

Buckle up because Uber Carshare has partnered with racing legend and honourary Aussie, Valtteri Bottas, to create the perfect car for an Easter getaway. Together with Valtteri, we have designed and fully customised Valtteri’s ‘second’ car, an iconic ute, with everything Aussies need for an epic road trip. With Valtteri busy driving his first car this weekend, his ‘second’ car will be available for FREE* on the Uber Carshare app from Friday, 22 March until Friday, 12 April 2024 in Melbourne, so push push push to make sure you don’t miss out. You can check out Valtteri’s ‘second’ car here .

Valtteri spends his off-seasons travelling Australia, so he knows firsthand what the ultimate road trip car needs. “This is a beautiful country and Aussies have welcomed me with open arms. I want to repay this love by loaning them my ‘second’ car – the ultimate road trip car – while I’m busy racing my first car.” 

“All modifications in the ute have been carefully considered to make sure it has everything an Aussie could need for a road trip – mullet aeration technology, a meat pie warmer, an esky to keep my drinks cold, a bike rack, detachable hills hoist, freshwater shower, in-built sunscreen, and bug repellent dispensers. I hope you all love this car as much as I do. It’s an absolute pride and joy.”

Uber Carshare (previously Car Next Door) Co-founder, Will Davies, said “We know Aussies love to get away during the Easter long weekend and school holidays, but their first car may not be adequate for their plans – perhaps it’s too small to fit a bunch of mates in the back, doesn’t have roof racks, or simply does not have the amenities you need for a trip up to the mountains. That’s where Uber Carshare comes in. We’re Australia’s home of second cars – over ten thousand road-trip-worthy cars available across Australia and bookable in minutes.”

For those who miss out on the chance to rent Valtteri’s iconic ute,  the honourary Aussie has given ten Uber Carshare cars across the “VB seal of roadtrip-approval” for the perfect Aussie road trip. These cars are in all shapes and sizes, ready to take you where you need to go and beyond – built for a perfect Aussie adventure! It’s best to be in pole position to book these as the first person to book any VB roadtrip-approved cars will receive a free VB ‘road trip kit’ stocked with a car air freshener, beach towel, drinks cooler, sunnies, and more. 

For more information on how to book Valtteri’s ‘second’ car or any other Valtteri ‘roadtrip-approved’ cars, head to the Uber Carshare app ( App Store or Google Play ) or visit our blog .

Book Valterri Bottas’ ‘second’ car on Uber Carshare HERE .

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