Best Road Trip Apps for Your 2021 Adventure
Getting out of town this spring and searching for the best road trip apps for 2021? There are thousands of apps available on Android and Apple phones and if you want the top recommendations for places to stay, a reliable navigation tool, and a handy interface that can help keep you on track, here are some popular phone apps people are taking with them on the road.
Waze
Want a navigation app that can connect to your Spotify listening needs while on the road? Waze has been rated one of the best apps for drivers and compared to Google Maps, here why you should consider using it.
Whether you recently just moved to a new area or taking off on a cross country road trip, Waze offers much more than your basic navigation arrow and digital map. Like most driving apps, you can receive real-time driving and traffic jam updates on the highway but Waze adds a little extra with road hazards such as objects in the road or broken down vehicles on the side of the road.
One of the biggest benefits of Waze is that it can connect to Spotfiy simultaneously providing directions while you listen to your favorite podcast or playlist. It also notifies drivers when there are police officers, so avoid receiving a speeding ticket when cruising down the highways.
The Weather Channel App
Knowing the skies before you drive is a must. Especially when taking on that 8 hour road trip. Receiving active weather warnings on the road decreases your chances of getting caught up in a flash flood or driving through foggy weather and the Weather Channel app covers all the bases with meteorological data. Check the doppler radar for oncoming storms and receive immediate alerts of any tornado or flooding warnings.
GasBuddy
Finding affordable fuel on the road will save you cash and with rising gas prices ahead of us, the GasBuddy app makes it easier for travelers to locate where the cheapest gas stations are. Over the last 15 years, this phone app has saved drivers up to 3.1 billion dollars and it also offers savings with exclusive rewards and gas deals. The GasBuddy app gives drivers the location of gas stations and the updated prices and now drivers can even pay for their car’s fuel with the app.
Airbnb & Vrbo
For budget travelers, finding a cheap and safe place to stay is easier than ever in 2021. Both Airbnb and Vrbo apps provide scheduling opportunities to reserve a short or long stay at private rentals. So which app is better? Well, virtually anywhere you go on the roads, more than likely you’ll find it possible to find a place to stay with both apps. However, some places are more affordable than others so it’s best to have both apps to find the best deal. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for when staying at low or highly-priced apartments or guest rooms. All and all, both apps are safe and they’re both ideal for vacation stays or the quick one-nighter.
HipCamp is one of the coolest road trip apps out there
For the traveling campers and adventurers who love the outdoors, the HipCamp app is a great tool for booking a stay in a tent, RV, cabin, or treehouse. Find peace of mind when staying on somebody’s private land or glamping quarters and save money rather than paying those ridiculous resort fees. This app offers everything from beach stays, lake campsites, or tiny homes with mountain views, and more than likely, wherever you’re traveling to, you’ll find a number of amazing places to kick back and put your feet up.
Just Park
Many drivers visiting a new city will have zero idea of where to park. Parking garages can range in price and the Just Park phone app allows new arrivals to find cheap parking in seconds. Even if you pay for a yearly parking space in your city, you can also make money on this app by renting out your parking space. It’s a win-win for travelers and city dwellers.
Best road trip apps include Tripit
Free apps are the best apps and when it comes to planning your itinerary, the Tripit app helps keep drivers on time and on schedule. Keep track of hotel bookings and reservations as well as your mileage. Tripit is simple to use and best of all, it’s free.
Roadside America
There are thousands of roadside attractions throughout the United States and this mobile travel app provides up to 13,000+ offbeat attractions for travelers who love a good tourist attraction. No matter what direction you’re traveling in, this app that costs only $1.99 provides an enormous list of attraction recommendations which also includes popular nearby local restaurants.
After downloading road trip apps that work for you, check out more travel goodies for your next road trip by scanning our top 10 road trip podcasts and learn some essential car care tips before hitting the highways on your next trip.
What is your reaction?
I’ll be flying up North and then driving back home so maybe that Roadside America
app would be interesting, it’s $2.99 though, nothing like getting ripped off by roadside attractions before you even get to them LOL
I was certainly looking for the app that would show you attractions and stops on the way to your destination. And there it was, last on the list. I love road trips. I will have to test our Roadside America.
Well, this was a useful read. Vrbo may be some true competition for AirBnB for my trip this Spring.
My preference would definitely be Waze. They had me when I found out Cookie Monster was a nav option.
The iphone has many apps that are already included with the phone however the Hipcamp app sounds really cool specially that i love nature. Also the roadside America sounds very good app. I am not the one that plans weeks before i go somewhere. SO a app like that would help a lot to see what there is base on where i am going.
These are useful tips.