Whether heading to the shore or traveling to the mountains, the Great American Road Trip is a time-honored tradition. Today, mobile technology has merged with classic yearning for the open road – making the journey a little easier and far more rewarding.
BatteryGuru
Starting off right means having everything ready, and the first step is ensuring smartphones and tablets are in good working order. With Snapdragon’s free BatteryGuru app for Android, your battery patterns are analyzed to create custom usage plans for optimal performance. Squeeze more juice, then hit the road!
Navigon
This $60 iOS/Android app offers more than standard navigation. Everything from roadside assistance to a lane-change guide means less time spent plotting routes and more time enjoying the scenery. GPS champ Garmin’s all-in-one travel tool even boasts 3D maps – and an augmented-reality overlay mode.
Spotify
It never hurts to have more options on long trips. That’s where the Spotify music-streaming service comes in. For ten dollars a month, users can access 20 million songs, rocking out on the go in whatever style they choose.
Yelp
Hungry? Launch the free Yelp app and search for nearby restaurants by type and proximity – even read reviews and access photos and menus. Yelp can search for nearly anything else, so if it’s a dry-cleaning emergency or you need the nearest dentist, Yelp can help.
Gasbuddy
Fuel never seems to drop in price, but there are deals out there. Using GasBuddy on iOS and Android, drivers can find the best price at the pump along the route, sometimes leading to significant savings – up to twenty cents per gallon. Not bad for a free app!
Trapster
While a pit stop will leave you refueled and eager to go, don’t let enthusiasm lead to a meeting with local law enforcement down the road! Speed traps can be time-consuming, so knowing how to avoid them by slowing down makes it worth downloading Trapster free on iOS and Android.
Roadside America
Making good time means you can afford to stop at the local alligator farm or pick-a-bucket berry patch. This $6.00 iOS app details nearby attractions as you travel, giving you the chance to experience the weird and wonderful on the road.
iONROAD
Too much roadside-carnival cotton candy leads to drowsiness, so use this to keep focused as you drive. iOnRoad, free on Android, uses your mobile’s built-in GPS, gyroscope, camera and accelerometer to position your car relative to the one before you and warn you of drifting or following too close.
iExit
It’s getting late and time to think about stopping for the night. With this guide – 99 cents on iOS, free on Android – you can see upcoming eateries and lodging before the familiar green highway signs appear. Paired with Yelp, iExit offers immediate information for sudden hunger or sleepiness.
Priceline
The perfect bed and perfect night’s rest is the best method to prepare for more excitement on the road the next day. With Priceline’s free iOS and Android app, travelers can find instant deals on national hotel and motel chains – allowing economic peace of mind when heads meet pillows.
To learn more about apps that you should take on the road, head to Skedaddle Car Hire’s blog. They have plenty of info for anyone about to hit the open road and cruise to their next destination.
