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Few things are more iconically American than a road trip. The open road brings feelings of freedom and opportunities for discovery and adventure that not much else can. From a long drive with the whole family to a summer vacation destination, to a three-day holiday weekend mini-break, there’s something timeless and even thrilling about a road trip.
Of course, lest we over-romanticize it, the open road is not without pitfalls—or the need for pitstops! And yes, road trips can get tedious, uncomfortable and even stressful. To alleviate some of the stressors of travel, having the right apps can make a huge difference in the quality of your road trip.
To help you explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and make unforgettable memories along the way, SCTelcom has cultivated a list of today’s best apps of useful tools for your road trip. Our list gets beyond apps you already likely use, like Google Maps, Spotify, and Airbnb—as helpful as they are! Whether you’re looking for the best routes, finding unique attractions and driving breaks, or just keeping everyone entertained, SCTelcom’s list will help make your next journey even better.
1. Roadtrippers
We start with Roadtrippers, an app we love for helping to map out the journey ahead. But Roadtrippers does much more than just assist with planning your route. It also suggests sightseeing detours and even points to quirky or locally-adored attractions and eateries.
Roadtrippers is as easy to use as it is informative. Simply input your start and end points, and the app suggests interesting stops along the way. National and state parks, scenic lookouts, offbeat museums, dive bars and diners, and innumerable other hidden roadside gems are just a handful of examples. It’s ideal for discovering what’s worth stopping for and helps you remember that the journey matters just as much as the destination, if not more!
2. Waze
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, check out Waze for real-time, community-driven navigation that may be more helpful than the even more famous (and its parent company) Google Maps. Especially if you’re driving through unfamiliar cities or areas with heavy traffic, Waze can be a game-changer—or lifesaver!
Waze utilizes real-time data from other users to provide traffic conditions, road closures, speed traps, and accident alerts. It’s fantastic for identifying, and then avoiding, traffic jams and taking smarter detours that won’t make things even worse!
3. iExit
If you’re planning on hitting an Interstate highway as a part of your adventure, you’ll want to know what lies ahead at the next exit. And one of the most thorough guides available at your fingertips is the iExit Interstate Exit Guide app. Indeed, iExit is one of the most comprehensive guides to just about everything you need to know about that upcoming exit you’re considering.
It shows what amenities are available at upcoming exits with everything from dining options to gas stations to motels, as well as rest areas for a quick on-and-off pitstop. We find its information about Interstate exits to be considerably more in-depth than Google Maps for on-the-go decision-making. But iExit is at its most useful for preventing missed opportunities and avoiding needless exiting for services that aren’t available!
4. GasBuddy
When your vehicle is running low on fuel, nothing becomes more urgent than finding a gas station to fill up as quickly as possible. And with gas prices remaining stubbornly high, finding the cheapest gas around is even more of a priority. That’s why we think GasBuddy is one of the best apps you can use on a road trip—or even when you’re driving around your hometown!
The GasBuddy app helps you find the lowest gas prices near your current location or along your route. It also tracks your overall fuel spending, too. In this way, you can even plan and budget your gas expenses, saving you money at every stop and throughout your road trip and vacation. GasBuddy is also interactive, letting you help others by submitting data and prices.
5. AllTrails
Now a road trip doesn’t have to be only about roads. And it’s quite likely that after hours of driving you and your passengers need a break from the car! One of the best ways to do that, and give yourself some exercise, fresh air, and gorgeous scenery, is through discovering parks and trails and other natural oases—which the AllTrails app can help you find!
AllTrails points you to nearby walking paths, forests, waterfalls, parks, and other scenic spots to stretch your legs and soak in Mother Nature. It’s the perfect respite from the asphalt—and stress—of the highway. AllTrails features informative reviews and photos, as well as hiking trail difficulty ratings to help you choose your perfect spot.
6. Audible
Of course, you’ll need more than just sound advice on planning and navigation for your trip—you also need to keep yourself and your travelling companions entertained! Long drives are ideal for diving into audiobooks. And since Audible has the biggest library of audiobooks available at the touch of a button, it’s a great place to start!
Choose any genre you can think of, from mysteries and thrillers, to romances and westerns, to epic fantasies and science fiction. Or consider taking a deep dive into American history as you travel to historical sites and learn more deeply about the events that happened there. Audible also features original content voiced and performed by celebrities and well-known artists. It will keep your mind occupied for the duration of your trip!
While the freedom of the open road is both romantic and adventurous, it never hurts to do a little planning and get a bit of knowledge to keep the journey efficient and less expensive, as well as make it as meaningful—and memorable—as possible. The six apps SCTelcom highlighted above will help make your road trip one of the most special you’ve ever embarked upon!
