Auto Shop Approved: Our Favorite Travel Apps
With so many apps on the market, it can be hard to choose which ones you need for your smartphone or tablet. The best car travel mobile apps make your in-car time more enjoyable and productive. But if you’re planning a road trip and want to stay entertained and informed on your journey, here are some of the best apps for car travel; and yes, they’re all auto shop approved!
GasBuddy
“This is admittedly one of the most useful travel apps for your smartphone,” says auto shop mechanic, Bobby.
GasBuddy is available as a free app for iOS and Android. It includes the ability to see your current location, find gas stations near you, and quickly compare prices at nearby stations. After you find the station nearest you, use the map feature to navigate to your location. Then swipe up to view prices and access details about each station.
Waze
Another seriously useful travel app, as dubbed by our auto shop professionals, Waze is also available as a free app for iOS and Android. With this app, you can connect with other drivers in the area to share real-time traffic updates. Additionally, you can post hazards or comments that are viewable by every user on the road. If you’re trying to guide yourself to a location, Waze can help. If you are trying to get there faster, it can assist with avoiding traffic jams. It can even tell you about police sightings to help you avoid any speed traps while cruising down I-95.
Google Maps
Google Maps is available for free for both iOS and Android. This app has mapping features in addition to information about local businesses and authorized service dealers. It can even help with parking in unfamiliar areas since it allows you to see where nearby parking lots are located, the distance between your location and the parking lot, and is paid or free.
Spotify
Music is essential for any road trip! Spotify is another app that’s available for download on both iOS and Android phones. There is a free version, as long as you don’t mind the intermittent commercial breaks and not being able to have unlimited skips and downloads. The premium version of Spotify costs just $9.99 a month for a single user and allows you to create custom playlists, have unlimited downloads, and unlimited song-skipping power. Psst… if you’re a student, you can get premium for just $4.99 a month!
Oh, and it’s not just music. For those of you who enjoy listening to shows or podcasts, you have access to it all with Spotify.
ParkMobile
Trying to find parking is the worst, especially when you know nothing about the area. ParkMobile makes it easy to find, pay, and monitor parking times from your Apple, Google, or Android device. Like the other apps mentioned, it can be downloaded on any smartphone, and yes, it’s free! You only pay for parking.
iExit
​​​​​​iExit is a free travel app that can be downloaded for iOS or Android. Once installed, all you have to do is open the app when traveling on any interstate or highway in the United States. Immediately, you’ll have access to the distance and information about every exit along your route. Looking for food? A rest area? Gas? An auto shop? You can see what amenities each exit offers before you pass it.
AroundMe
AroundMe is invaluable when you’re trying to discover things to do and places to go in a new town or city. It’s free and available for both iOS and Android devices. From bars, ATMs, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, concerts or coffee shops; AroundMe can tell you exactly where they are and how you can get there.
Auto Insurance Company Apps
If you want to research the best insurance company for you, check out apps for some of the more popular companies, such as State Farm and Geico. Each of these companies has their own application so you can find quotes or learn about deals and discounts at your convenience.
Geico
Geico also has a free app for iOS and Android. This app allows you to find the nearest Geico Office or Agent, track your current policy, get your roadside assistance number, and have access to helpful driving tips.
State Farm
State Farm also has an app for both Android and iOS. The app includes information about your policy, how to file a claim, and the company’s map of hundreds of locations throughout the United States.
International Car Insurance Company Apps
Finding an affordable car insurance policy for international travel can be difficult. With international car insurance company apps, you can compare policies from different companies before settling on the one that’s best for you.
State of Charge
The app called State of Charge is available as a free download for iOS and Android. If you’ve ever wondered the status of your vehicle’s battery, skip stopping into your local auto shop to have it checked. State of Charge allows car owners to monitor their car battery status and it works with any vehicle model. Pretty cool, right?
Roadtrippers
Roadtrippers is available as a free app for iOS and Android. This app helps you use Roadtrippers to plan your trip with turn-by-turn navigation. If you are unfamiliar with an area, this is a great way to learn how to get there.
Road Map USA
The Road Map USA app is available as a free download for iOS and Android. This app will help you get directions to almost any place in the U.S. It shows major highways, followed by smaller roads.
Traffic
The Traffic app is available for free on iOS and Android. When you are on the road, this app will show traffic updates so you can stay informed about road conditions. You can also use this app to find out how long it will take to get to your destination.
Planning A Road Trip? Visit An Auto Shop First
Before you hit the road, tune up your car first. Having an auto shop mechanic make sure that your car is in top shape is one of the best ways to prevent problems on the road. Bring any exotic make and model to Foreign Affairs Motorwerks. We service a variety of imported and exotic brands and make sure that they can get you where you are going without problems. There’s a lot riding on your tires… Call Foreign Affairs Motorwerks today at 954-746-0488 to schedule your car’s pre-road trip check-up.