Road trips are some of the most universally fun experiences you can share with your friends and loved ones. There are few things better than jetting off on a long trip with the favourite people in your life, a car, and the wind in your hair. Fun as a road trip is, there is plenty of opportunity to turn the experience up a notch. These fantastic road trips app are designed to do just that!
Dash is a must have app for any car nut worth his salt. The app works with any generic OBD wireless device that plugs in the OBD (on-board diagnostics) port of your car to provide you with diagnostic information about your car in real time. From telling you about the health of your car and related subsystems to tracking distance travelled and fuel consumption, Dash records a wealth of useful information that is sure to make your road trip a stress-free experience. (» iOS / Android)
Waze Navigation & Live Traffic
by Waze Inc.
FREE
Waze started out as one of the primary competitors to Google Maps before being bought by Google. The app is known for doing one thing extremely well: crowdsourced traffic data. Waze provides you with all the features of a standard navigation app but with the added benefit of crowdsourced information about the status of the road, traffic, accidents, or delays. Also included is information about speed traps and other road hazards that you should be aware of from a distance. (» iOS / Android)
Roadtrippers - Trip Planner
by Roadtrippers
FREE
Roadtrippers is a great app for sightseers. The app allows you to plan your road trip ahead of time by helping you find points of interest like diners, restaurants, hotels, national parks, scenic locations, adventure sports, amusement parks, historic attractions, etc., en route. Or you can just open the app any time and search for points of interest around you when you are in the mood to take a break to enjoy the local flavour. A must have for people who prefer the journey to the destination. (» iOS / Android)
Foursquare City Guide
FREE
The app that made “checking in” at locations a thing in itself, Foursquare remains king when it comes to finding out things to do in a new place. With its immense database of locally sourced information, you can get around in a strange town as good as a local. From food and refreshments to bars, pubs, and places of general entertainment, you can find almost anything here. The in app suggestions and tips are the best part about Foursquare. (» iOS / Android)
Findery is the closest thing you can get to a personal tour guide in an app format. The app not only provides suggestions on what to do at nearby places, the social media angle of the app allows you to see notes left by other users: photos, travel stories, recommendations, videos, etc. Findery is a new way to experience a new place; it also allows you upload your own notes and keep them private or make them public for people who come next. (» iOS / Android)
Flush Toilet Finder & Map
FREE
This app does exactly what its name suggests. If the idea sounds silly, then clearly you’ve never had to hunt for a restroom in the middle of nowhere in a hurry. However, if you’d like to keep it that way, this app is going to help you do that. By using your phone’s location sensors and GPS, the app finds you the nearest restrooms from its database of more than 200,000 public and paid restrooms worldwide. Also included is additional information such as access for handicapped people. (» iOS / Android)
TuneIn Radio: Music & Sports
by TuneIn
FREE
Had enough of your road trip playlist? TuneIn brings in livestreams for more than 100,000 radio stations worldwide so that no matter where you are, good entertainment and music is never more than a click away. Or if you prefer the station in your hometown, TuneIn allows you to listen in from any corner of the world. The app runs off your phone’s data connection, which means audio quality is always its pristine best. (» iOS / Android)
iExit Interstate Exit Guide
FREE
iExit is for planning your breaks from the trip. Whether you need a quick coffee break, a little nap, or an ATM for a cash refill, iExit allows you to plan your next stop by providing you with a list of services and amenities that lie ahead on the next exit off the highway. Included in the app are photos to make your decision a bit easier. You can also search for specific businesses (like McDonald’s or Starbucks). The app also shows you important information like parking, public Wi-Fi, and fuel prices. (» iOS / Android)
HotelTonight - Hotel Deals
FREE
When the most well planned trips can go awry. It only takes something like a punctured tire or an unplanned stop at a scenic spot to ruin your timings, especially on a long trip. If you are ever in a situation where you need to find accommodation at the very last minute, Hotel Tonight is the app that is going to save your ass. From checking vacancies to offering steep discounts, the app provides you with hotel rooms across a wide range of prices and luxury. (» iOS / Android)
Nobody ever wants to get stuck with a breakdown but sometimes you just run out of luck. If you need roadside assistance, Urgent.ly is the tool for the job. Whether you need a tow, a pickup, jump start, a mechanic, or just a quick refill of fuel or coolant, Urgent.ly provides you with a wide list of services and up front rates that you pay afterwards. An absolute lifesaver in the middle of nowhere when your car decides to throw a tantrum. (» iOS / Android)