5 Apps I Use on Every Road Trip
I’m on the road right now, packed with my family into our rental car, realizing how much more I am relying on apps for things that we probably wouldn’t have on past trips. With safety now a much bigger factor for travelers, apps are becoming sources of critical information and truly useful features. Here are five apps I use on every road trip that are worth downloading, now more than ever, before you hit the road:
1. Roadtrippers. The name says it all. If you’re taking a road trip, you need to download this app. This app is all about the journey – from plotting your route and helping you discover the best “off-the-beaten-path” places to stop along the way. Turn-by-turn navigation takes the uncertainty out of the game, shows you cool places to stop and lets you add them to your route plan if they look interesting to you. You can also add friends to plan together, adding stops by interest – like outdoors, music, culture, children’s and off-beat attractions.
2. Gas Buddy. A practical one, but an app you’ll appreciate on the road. GasBuddy helps you plan and save on gas on your next trip. The Trip Cost Calculator will help you budget, the search feature to find the best gas prices on your route and ability to sign up for its EarnGasBack program to save at the pump.
3. iExit. This app takes the guesswork out of knowing where to stop and what facilities are available off of any given interstate highway exit. Plan ahead for what is 20, 50, 100 miles down the road so you’re not forced to make split-second decisions as you approach exit signage. Having this information in advance allows time to research what is open, from restaurants to restrooms.
4. Hotel App. Hotels have long pushed for guests to use their apps, offering reward points and discount incentives to download them. Now, even if you’re not brand loyal, it’s truly in your best interest to download these prior to your arrival for features like contactless mobile check-in, keyless entry (yes, your phone becomes your room key) and the ability to make requests to the front desk during your stay.
5. Self-Guided Tour App. I actually used these pre-Covid because I love the flexibility of roaming on my own, but still getting the local ‘tour guide’ experience, great local information and insider tips like best pull-overs and photo opps without having to actually go on a tour. And now that we’re still avoiding groups, apps like Gypsy Guide for many domestic destinations and national parks and Shaka Guide for Hawaii are perfect for visits to new destinations. Many are GPS-enable, perfectly timing the delivery of information as you drive and allowing you to make stops at your leisure.