10 top apps you need for your next road trip
You've got the car, and you're hitting the open roads for a fun-filled adventure but having the best travel information at your fingertips can make your road trip infinitely easier. Here's the latest travel apps you need now!
From finding ways out of traffic jams to finding a public toilet, accommodation stops along the way and everything in between, these are the best apps you need now for your next adventure.
1. Roadtrippers
This is one of the most popular apps for taking a road trip because you can plan your journey and add up to 150 stops and collaborate with friends along the way. You can discover places like local food stops, national parks, roadside attractions and hotels. There are pre-made trip guides built-in, and you can see what other people have done on previous trips for inspiration. It has clear maps and lots of inspiration for making your road trip as enjoyable as possible.
2. MotorMouth
Paying for petrol will be one of your most significant expenses when you’re on a road trip, and every cent saved at the pumps can be worth it when you’re driving for hundreds of kilometres on the road. The app will give you the best prices in your radius and report prices from over 4500 Australian service stations daily. As an extra incentive, MotorMouth users can be rewarded with credits within the app.
3. Emergency Australia
One thing you can’t plan is when Mother Nature hits. Australia is known for its extreme weather conditions which can dampen your trip without proper planning in place. The Emergency Australia app will alert users to any official warnings about bushfires, floods, storms or severe weather events. This is the perfect app to allow you to stay safe on the roads and avoid driving altogether when the weather is not ideal.
4. Wikicamps Australia
Local camping adventures are set to skyrocket due to international travel restrictions and having the ultimate camping app will help you plan your trip. The best part of this app is that it works offline without WiFi, so it doesn’t matter how remote your road trip takes you; you’ll be able to use this app. All you have to do is download the map and content before you go so, you’ll have all the information on the best campgrounds, caravan parks, backpacker hostels in the area you’re looking for. It also shows you places for day stops, information centres, and water points for showers and toilets. Other handy features include camping checklists and packing tips.
5. Waze
Waze is an app that has real-time updates that help you navigate through traffic jams, construction and any traffic problems when you’re entering cities. It can send you alerts about accidents, police, hazards and crashes ahead so you can find an alternative route and save you time on your trip.
6. HotelTonight
While most people know about Airbnb for booking accommodation ahead of time, sometimes you haven’t anticipated stopping overnight. If you need a rest from driving, it’s a good idea to stay overnight somewhere and start the next day again. Or if you come across a town, you absolutely love and want to stay longer and haven’t booked ahead this app can be convenient. It brings you deals for the night and the next day at short notice and can help with last-minute bookings or up to 100 days in advance.
7. Spotify
You probably have a playlist music app already on your phone, Spotify is the most popular choice for long trips. You can listen to hours of your favourite playlists of music, cue up curated playlists and listen to podcasts to help you cruise through long trips with ease. If you pay for the premium version, you’ll be able to listen without ads and download the playlists for offline listening.
8. Beach safe
Considering Australia is home to the over 10,000 beaches, and if you were to visit a new one every day it would take you 27 years, there’s a lot of coast to explore by car. But as much as our beaches are beautiful, they can also be dangerous if you don’t have a lot of knowledge about beach and water safety. This app was developed by the Surf Life Saving Australia Association and delivers real-time information on beaches across Australia. You’ll get all the latest information on weather, currents and tide times and surf conditions as well as where the patrolled beaches are so you can swim safely between the flags.
9. First Aid Australian Red Cross
Developed for the Australian market by the International Federation of Red Cross, this app features all the latest CPR and First Aid guidelines as set out by the Australian Resuscitation Council.
The app is simple, interactive and gives advice for all kinds of emergencies such what to do in situations with bleeding, allergies, burns, broken bones, choking, asthma attacks, basic life support and much more. It’s simple, easy to read and you could save a life.
10. Zomato
Zomato lets you search and discover restaurants to eat out of or order from in your local area. So, if you’re at a caravan park or a hotel and want to grab some delivery you can. There is a constant update of menus, photos, and user reviews so you can make the best food decisions. In some instances, you can book a table directly through the app.
*This article was originally written by myself and commissioned for 1300Meteor. You can read the original version HERE.