7 Must-Have Road Trip & Travel Apps

7 Must-Have Road Trip & Travel Apps
Via Wikimedia Commons

So the summer is winding down and the kids are about to get back into school. But wait, there's just one more trip you can squeeze in before vacation is over! Here are a few apps to help you plan that last minute getaway.

Driving

icon_256 Roadtrippers – A friend of mine is about to do a trip from New York to Tennessee and she recommended this app. All you need to do is input a starting location, an ending location and Roadtrippers will show you things to do and see along the way such as entertainment, scenic outlooks, food and accommodations. There's a handy mileage slider that will show you things 5-25 miles “off course” depending on how much time you have to explore the area. The app shows driving time, mileage and estimated amount spent on gas. It's a free app available on iPhone and Android.

RoadtrippersScreenshot

gas-buddy-app-iconGas Buddy – I recently used this one to fill the tank in my rental car before heading back to the airport. All you need to do is enter the City or Zip Code and it'll find gas prices near you. List or Map view comes in handy if you're not in a familiar city. Free app is available for Android, iPhone and Blackberry.



GasBuddy

AllStaysCRV1024CurvedCamp & RV by Allstays – This was recommended by a friend who camps a lot, and I will now be using! Includes information on campsites in US & Canada. Private, National & State Park, KOA all featured on here. Great for RVs if you need to fill up on propane or find a spot with an RV dump. Will also work if you're in a remote location. “The data is stored on your phone while the app uses GPS, so constantly calling upon a website for information is not necessary. ” A little pricey at $9.99, but great features make it worth it. Available on iPhone and Android.

Allstaysphoto-1

Around town

googlemapsiconGoogle Maps – Voice-guided GPS has helped me out in many unfamiliar cities. Plus you want to be safe and avoid looking down at a map every few seconds while driving. Also if you're in a place with a public transit system this will be helpful in planning your route and catching the right train or bus. You can also search for places nearby like restaurants and museums.  Free app available on iPhone and Android.

GoogleMapsscreenshot

YelpIconYelp – I think most folks are familiar with this one! You can search for nearby food, entertainment, groceries and other services in your area. Browse user reviews to see what's the most recommended dish at a restaurant. As a parent I always look to this app first to see if it's a “Good Place for Kids”. Available on iPhone, Android, Windows and Amazon Kindle devices.

Yelp

Flying

kayakicon Kayak – I can't even begin to count how many times I've used this one. With Kayak you can search for low airline fares, hotels and rental cars. It's my go-to every time I'm on a long-distance trip. You can also manage your trip information and track flight status in one spot. Available on iPhone, Android, Windows and Amazon Kindle. Free app but you can upgrade to the Pro version for $0.99.

Kayak

TripIticon TripIt – This was recommended to me by someone that does a lot of international traveling. It organizes all your trip info into one trip itinerary. Simply forward your travel confirmation emails to [email protected] and TripIt “automagically” creates a detailed daily itinerary for every trip. Free and available for iPad, iPhone, Tablet, Android, Blackberry and Windows. If you're going with a big group of folks, you can get TripIt for Teams which would be free during the 30-day trial period but then monthly plans start at $29/month. A Pro version would cost you $49/year after the 30-day grace period.

Do you have a favorite app when you're out traveling? This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to travel apps, but I hope what I have included will make your trip an enjoyable one! Safe travels everyone!

Photo from Wiki Commons

About Toyacoyah Brown

Toyacoyah Brown is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, currently living in Chicago. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. When she's not scouring the Internet for fun things to share with PowWows.com readers you can find her digging for vinyl in her local record store or curling up with a good book.


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