It’s officially summer, which means warmer weather, sunshine, and of course, some much-needed vacations. And for many people all over America, their go-to summer vacation means starting their road trip planning process. Still, while picking where you’ll go and when you’re going is a must for any trip, there’s more to being prepared than that. For starters, every vehicle can use some good old-fashioned car maintenance before hitting the open road, like an oil change, tire rotation, and so on. But once your vehicle’s ready to roll, you should also prepare yourself, and that can start by simply picking up your phone and downloading an app. 

In fact, whether it’s helping you plan your route like Google Maps or keeping you entertained along the way, your phone’s app store is sure to have a travel app for every step of the journey.

The Best Apps to Have for Road Trips

With thousands of apps uploaded daily, finding the best ones can take a little time. So to help, here are some of the 10 essential road trip apps to have to help make any trip a great one:

1. Waze

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free

Most navigation apps simply show you the route from A to B, but Waze does so much more. Owned by Google, this community-driven, free app collects data from other users in real-time, helping you to avoid annoying obstructions like traffic jams and construction to find the best route. For some added road trip fun, this maps app regularly releases bonus voice packs so that you can be guided by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman, Terry Crews, and more!

2. Roadtrippers

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free or $29.99 per year for a RoadTrippers Plus membership

Probably the best road trip planner app around, Roadtrippers does pretty much everything you’d want it to. Plan your route with up to 150 stops, collaborate with friends and family, help build a packing list, and find attractions to stretch your legs at. The base app is free, but for an annual subscription, you can unlock lots more features—from exclusive deals to offline capabilities.

3. GasBuddy

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free

With rising gas prices, stopping to fill up the tank on an extended trip can often consume most of your road trip budget. That’s where GasBuddy can help, as it’s designed to save you money, showing you the cheapest gas stations in your area whenever you’re running low. Users are encouraged to enter the latest gas prices at every station they visit, so information is always up to date. The app also monitors recall alerts for your car’s make and model to help keep you stay safe.

4. Roadside America

Available on: Apple

Price: $2.99

From curiously quirky to charmingly tacky, it isn’t a real American road trip without a visit to a classic roadside attraction. The Roadside America app is the most comprehensive resource for unique places to visit along your route, including “world’s largest” campsites and other entertaining oddities. The app itself is $2.99, and you can unlock additional regions for another small fee. However, it is only compatible with iOS devices, so only iPhone users are currently only able to use this great app on their next road trip.

5. The Dyrt

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free or $35.99 per year for The Dyrt Pro access

If you’re an avid camper and prefer the idea of sleeping under the stars, The Dyrt should be your go-to app. Helping you find campgrounds, RV, and cabin sites across the US, PRO members can even book spots straight from their smartphone with no additional fees. There are over 44,000 locations to choose from, and users can also leave reviews to guide future visitors.

6. Airbnb

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free

Whether staying within the United States or abroad, Airbnb is revolutionizing how we book vacation homes and experiences. No matter where you go, you’ll find all kinds of unique places to stay, unlike a regular old hotel room, as well as tours and activities to participate in. The app is also completely free to download and use, so make sure to check it out before you “check in” for a stay while on your trip.

7. Spotify

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: $9.99 per month

Pretty much everyone knows about Spotify, but that doesn’t make it any less of an essential road trip download. Collaborate with friends to create your perfect driving playlist and add to it on the fly. Or, if you want something a little less musical, you can also access most podcasts via Spotify. Don’t be concerned about a weak wifi connection because if you download your music and podcasts, you can take your listening wherever your network can’t go. The app is free to use, but ads can get annoying fast. If you want to remove them, the Premium version costs $9.99 monthly.

8. National Park Service

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free

National Parks are some of the most beautiful places in America, and no road trip would be complete without visiting at least one. The National Park Service app is your guide to every National Park in the country, with info on how to get there, things to do, like hiking trails, and where to stay. Once you arrive, you can also enjoy self-guided tours, all within the app.

9. AllTrails

Available on: Apple and Android

Price: Free or $35.99 per year for AllTrails Pro access

For hikers and mountain bikers, AllTrails is the ultimate guide right in your pocket. In fact, you’ll have over 300,000 hand-curated maps at your fingertips, showing you the best walking, cycling, and running routes wherever you are. Crowdsourced ratings, reviews, and photos can help you decide which trail to take, and it’s even compatible with fitness trackers, too! The base app is free, but upgrading to AllTrails Pro for $29.99 per year unlocks plenty more features.

10. Endurance Customer Portal

Available on: Any device

Price: Free with any Endurance vehicle protection plan

Anything can happen on the road. Long drives and daily wear can lead to an unexpected breakdown, even for well-maintained vehicles. That’s why having access to the Endurance Customer Portal is essential. Though it’s not exactly an app, you can log in anytime from your desktop, tablet, or smartphone to stay connected to your auto protection.

With the Customer Portal, you can view your contract details, check the status of a claim, request 24/7 roadside assistance or a tow, find a certified repair shop, contact customer support, and more. Wherever you’re headed, Endurance helps you stay prepared and avoid last-minute disruptions, all with just a few clicks.

Road Trip without Worry with Endurance

Having the right mobile access on your phone can help you plan the perfect road trip. With them, you can do everything from plan your route, avoid traffic, find a place to stay, or just have something to help pass the time. But while you can find an app for just about anything, when it comes to unexpected breakdowns, the Endurance Customer Portal is the one tool you should never go without.

When you have an Endurance auto protection plan, you’ll have peace of mind when it comes to costly repair bills for your vehicle’s most vital components. But that’s not all, because when you’re an Endurance customer, you’ll also automatically receive perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursements to help keep your trip going. You’ll even be able to take your vehicle into any ASE-Certified mechanic, repair shop, or even your vehicle’s dealership for repairs while also being eligible for a year’s worth of Elite Benefits, like tire repair or replacement, key fob replacement, collision discounts, and more.* So no matter where you are on your road trip, Endurance will be there to help.

Before your next road trip, give yourself and your vehicle extra peace of mind by having an Endurance auto protection plan. Request a FREE quote or give an Endurance plan advisor a call at (800) 253-8203. You can also see your price and plan recommendations through our online store.

Find other helpful road trip planning guides and even more articles on all things automotive by visiting the Endurance blog.