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Thanks to Android Auto, your phone can be one of your most useful road trip tools, handling your navigation, your entertainment along the way, and more.
Apps like Google Maps and Spotify get most of the attention, but they’re far from the only apps you need for your next road trip. Some of these will save you money, some will save you time, some just make your drive a little easier, but all of them will have you wondering how you ever road-tripped without them.
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Here’s a look at the four best Android Auto apps for your next road trip, plus a bonus recommendation that’s not Android Auto-compatible but is absolutely worth a download.
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MyRadar: You probably have your favorite weather app, and it might give you pretty reliable forecasts. But nothing slows down a road trip like stormy weather, and MyRadar is one of my favorite picks for keeping an eye on dark clouds ahead.
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This app gives you real-time radar information that lets you see where storms are, and where they’re headed, helping you decide if it’s a good time to head to lunch or if the storm is going to pass by.
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Fuelio: Not only is this a helpful app for tracking your fuel costs and mileage, but it’s especially handy on road trips because it shows the closest gas stations and current prices. This app also lets you log maintenance, making it good for all-around driving, not just road trips.
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Scanner Radio: Found yourself stuck in unexplained standstill traffic? Scanner Radio lets you tap into live, local dispatch feeds for police, emergency, and fire. You can find out exactly what’s happening miles ahead and decide whether you need to turn around and take an alternate route or if you’re ok sticking it out.
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For example, if you’re in traffic and you hear that the highway is closing, you can quickly make other plans. It almost has a nostalgic CB radio feel if you let it play in the background, and it’s surprisingly useful during severe weather, too.
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PlugShare and A Better Routeplanner (for EVs only): You’re probably familiar with PlugShare if you’re an EV owner, but if you’re not, it’s a fantastic directory of chargers worldwide. You can sort by plug type or network, read user reviews to see if chargers are working, and more.
A Better Routeplanner helps you plan your route based on EV charger availability, making sure you never get stranded.
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iExit: I had to throw in one bonus app that doesn’t support Android Auto, but it’s my favorite road trip app. iExit is a favorite of truckers and RVers, but it’s making its way to family road trips. The app shows you what’s available at upcoming exits, including hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and more.
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Instead of blindly pulling off at an exit or waiting for signs that only show the next exit, you can see information about all upcoming exits. You can search (up to the next 100 exits, actually) for a specific business, but the app knows what road you’re on and what direction you’re headed and automatically shows you the next exits. It’s useful when you’re ready to eat but aren’t sure what’s coming up beyond the next exit.
