6 Must-Have Smartphone Apps for a Better Driving Experience

Smartphones can be a hinderance on the road, but there’s no denying they’re a technological genius achievement. And while many of us spend countless (wasted) hours playing bubble-popping or fruit-cutting games, there are many useful apps on the market that can transform that phone from an expensive piece of highly-breakable equipment, into a handy tool. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the top must-have driving apps for the road ahead.

GasBuddy

Modifications burn gas. Bigger tires, lower gears, and power adders are all guilty of this. So, wouldn’t it be nice if you could track down the best gas prices in a particular area? With GasBuddy, you can. This free app uses your location to find stations with the lowest prices and offers a rewards program for further savings. You can even filter your results based on driver reviews, gas brands, or station amenities.

For the rewards-points fanatic, GasBuddy offers a special card that drivers can use to pay at the pump and save on the per-gallon price. The program also gives drivers “free money for gas earned” by providing points for shopping at participating retail stores like Home Depot and Advanced Auto Parts.

GasBuddy driving app

Waze

A GPS app on your phone is nothing new. But how about a GPS app with a live feed of current road work, car crashes, police, and traffic? Enter Waze. With a Wazer community numbered in the hundred of millions, this free app compiles data based on driver feedback. As the company says, “It’s like a personal heads-up from a few million of your friends on the road.”

The app also offers a route planner with its Live Map, as well as ETA to destinations, route changes to avoid traffic, and even a carpool feature for gas-savvy drivers. Waze also features an impressive number of guiding voices to choose from to make the drive a little more fun. Keep the kids entertained with the recent Paw Patrol voice pack, keep it 80s with Boy George, or get your true crime on with the Dexter Morgan voice guidance.

If you’re more of a classic driving apps fan, Google Maps and Apple Maps still hold it down as some of the best free navigation apps available. Both platforms offer plenty of handy features like Waze, plus some unique perks of their own. Apple Maps has a handy “find my car” feature to avoid a Seinfeld-esque parking garage headache, plus immersive 3-D maps for when you’re out of the car and on foot. Google Maps, meanwhile, has quite a few customizable options built-in, like choosing the most fuel-efficient route and avoiding tolls or highways.

Sample screens of the WAZE maps app

FIXD

It was only a matter of time until our phones could talk to our cars, and FIXD has been one of the most popular tools for DIY diagnostic work in recent years. The FIXD app works in conjunction with a scanner dongle that you plug into your vehicle’s OB2 port (drivers will need an OB2 port to use this diagnostic app). The dongle then connects to a phone via Bluetooth and sends data to the FIXD app available for Apple or Android.

The phone becomes a basic scan tool, translating codes into simple terms. This makes it a suitable option for simple DIYers, or those who just want to be a little more car-savvy when they take their vehicle into the shop. FIXD also offers a premium subscription plan, which connects drivers with ASE-certified mechanics and helps drill down repair costs and estimates.

Sample screens of FIXD app, which turns a smartphone into a vehicle diagnostics tool

Roadtrip-BINGO

Ah, the pre-smartphone days. Kids were left to either kick the back of the seat until Mom and Dad yelled “cut it out!” or fiddle with a cardboard bingo game with red sliders. Modern families can continue that tradition with an updated version of the classic game with Roadtrip-BINGO.

Just like the old cards, the modern car app features squares of different items you’ll see on a long trip, like motorcycles, railroad signs, and animals. Roadtrip-BINGO also features various boards to choose from like “Around Town,” “Food Logos,” and “Airline Logos.”

This app is iOS only, so Android users will have to seek other options. If you’re an Android user looking for similar game-minded driving apps, check out Car-tegories: Road Trip Category Game, a family trivia game you can use to keep the little ones distracted on those long drives, and maybe turn that across-the-seat sibling smackdown into some friendlier competition.

Roadtrip Bingo app keeps kids entertained on long rides

Spotify

Maybe an obvious choice, but we’re adding Spotify to the list for a couple of reasons. The all-purpose streaming app now has a handful of built-in features that work great for listening to music, podcasts, and news all on the go.

For starters, Spotify integrates with car apps like Google Maps and Waze, so you don’t need to toggle between screens while you’re driving, cutting down on safety hazards. The app also works with popular car apps like Android Auto or iOS’s CarPlay. That way, you can pull up directions, make calls, send and receive messages without taking your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road. Spotify even has its own voice-activation you can initiate simply by saying “Hey, Spotify” and asking it to pull up your favorite tunes or podcasts. (Just be aware that you might need to give it a few tries before the app lands on the correct song since Spotify now hosts more than 70 million tracks!)

Spotify also just released Car Thing, an excellently-named smart player designed to improve the voice response and tap/swipe functions on the phone for drivers who want that extra bit of infotainment. Think of it like an old-school radio dial for all your new-school streaming media.

Spotify Car Thing in-vehicle infotainment device

PlugShare

Chances are, even if you don’t currently own an electric or hybrid vehicle, it’s something you’re considering since so many automakers are rolling out new models. Whether you’re a prospective buyer or already an owner, a crucial part of maintaining an EV is making sure it’s fully charged.

Thanks to the rising popularity of EVs, charging stations are popping up across the country. Still, they aren’t in abundant supply just yet, so it’s helpful to have an easier way to track down these spots. The PlugShare app uses a map interface like navigation apps to show drivers where the closest charging stations are on their route.

The app also provides current information, such as if a station is under repair or if another driver’s currently using it. Drivers can also check in on the app to leave reviews of stations.

Since not every EV has the same charging configuration, it’s helpful to know whether the station’s compatible with your car. PlugShare allows you to filter stations by charger type (after setting up an account) so you can ensure you’re not pulling up to a Tesla-only station when you’re driving a Ford.

PlugShare driving app helps users find EV chargers along their route

Are there any driving apps you’d recommend to a friend? Let us know in the comments!

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