There’s never been a better time in history to embark on a road trip of our great country. Thanks to all of the crowd-sourcing information that is available to users via their smartphones, you can take some of the stressful guesswork out of road trips with these great apps designed specifically for the road!
For Directions: Google Maps or Waze
There are two definite giants in the GPS world, and both have a large following of fans! Google Maps is one of the giants. It keeps up to date on traffic patterns, the most timely routes, and has built-in reviews for any stops along the way. The “search along route” feature is also helpful when looking for areas to stop along the way.
Waze is another very popular GPS app for use in driving, and relies mainly on community traffic reporting by users. It can really save you time, especially in crowded urban areas. It also has a speed monitor to let you know when you’re traveling too fast, police notification, motorcycle mode, and a bunch of fun voices to give you directions.
For Fill-Ups: Gas Buddy
Whenever you need to fill up along the road, Gas Buddy is a great app! It can lead you to the cheapest stations, give you a discount, and even help you calculate how much gas will be needed for your trip, depending on your route, vehicle size, and the prices along the way.
For Food: Yelp
With a similar set-up to Google Maps, Yelp is great for finding a bite to eat, and getting to read reviews, recommendations, and prices for the restaurants before stopping in. It’s not just for restaurants, either! It can also be used for bars, coffee shops, museums, and local businesses. It never hurts to get a second opinion if you’re really searching for some place specific or stellar–check out the location with Google Maps to see what their user reviews also say!
For Trouble: Urgent.ly
If you’re a frequent driver or traveler, a AAA membership and the connected apps are a great investment. However, for those who find themselves without the membership on a road trip and need help, Urgent.ly offers a lot of the same services. It’s a good idea to have this downloaded and your payment connected before the trip starts, in case a break-down or flat tire happens!
For Music: Spotify
Spotify is loved by users everywhere–it’s a palm-sized way to carry most of the music in the world, with access to whatever you’re craving to hear during your drive. Create playlists, listen to various genres, all without commercials! It has a small monthly fee, which many consider worth it for the lack of commercials and the amount of control you have over what plays and what doesn’t play.
For Books: Hoopla
Check with your local library system to see if they offer the Hoopla app. There can be hundreds of audiobooks available at the touch of the button–and completely free, unlike other apps like Audible. Many library systems offer the latest and most popular books out there, along with a large selection of classics and older books that may appeal to you.
The fun of a road trip is mostly about the adventure that comes from leaving all that’s familiar and seeing the world from the comfort of your vehicle. It can be a great chance to unplug and get away from the busyness of life, but if you do need technological help, these apps are great tools to keep your road trip relaxed, fun, and full of adventure.
At Self Assured Storage, we understand your need for travel and escape the demands of work and home! Our professionals are ready and willing to help get the house organized and clutter free before the big trip starts. Give us a call today to see how we can take some of the everyday pressures off so you can start on your extraordinary adventures!
