10 Best Road Trip GPS and Navigation Apps

While highways connect people from one part of the country to another, road trips attract drivers looking for new sights and adventures. As free as winding roads and open highways may seem, navigating them for weeks can be a challenge. Travelers want to pause and think along the way without straying too far from their final destination.

A car ready for long trips and fully stocked with supplies needs only a driver who knows where to go. Explore junctions with confidence with the best navigation tools for road trips.

Navigation applications

Navigation apps provide constantly updated information about total travel times, route alternatives, traffic jams and rest stops along the way. Your everyday mapping app can often help you travel, but there are others specifically designed for travelers. Some of the best include:

1. InRoute Scheduler: Allows you to specify a destination and select up to five stops along the way, with more available in paid upgrades.

2. Traveler: Lets you add layers to your destination route so you can see attractions, hotels, restaurants, and more along the way.

3. Weisz: A community based app that generates updates and traffic information from users, always taking the fastest driving route.

As a rule, free navigation apps provide excellent service. However, they tend to use up your phone's data and battery life, and may stop working in areas without reception. It's okay for short trips, but longer trips may require more offline functionality.

Downloadable maps

Many navigation apps include a map download feature for offline use. They can still track your location using your phone's GPS and will guide you to every destination within the range of each selected map. Loading maps will require a lot of data and battery power. Before doing this, be sure to connect to Wi-Fi and fully charge your phone. Check out these great offline map apps:

4. GPS for co-pilot: Once downloaded, it comes with full map coverage and provides step-by-step instructions. Save new places and addresses from Google searches for offline use.

5. HERE WeGO: Downloadable maps for entire countries if needed. Still provides step by step instructions.

6. Cards.I: Designed to work offline, you won't be able to navigate unless you download a map. Includes highly detailed maps constantly updated by the online community.

7. Google Maps: Allows you to download maps after highlighting a certain area and get directions, but does not provide turn-by-turn voice guidance offline.

GPS devices

Separate from your phone, GPS (Global Positioning System) always works offline, using satellites to determine your location. The quality device provides reliable directions in an easy-to-read format and securely mounts to your vehicle's dashboard. It also frees up your phone's battery for music, reading, gaming, and more. The trips are long! Plan ahead with a GPS device from:

8. Garmin Drive Series: Includes a real-time alert system and allows you to plan trips. Many versions adapted to different needs and availability.

9.TomTomGo Series: Route display and Bluetooth function for interactive hands-free driving.

10. Magellan RoadMate Series: Includes tour information in addition to Bluetooth capabilities and route planning.

old fashioned cards

That's right - flat, folded, old-fashioned paper cards. Despite its many benefits, technology may not always be able to find you, especially in areas with small populations. Having a set of backup maps can help you reroute if you lose coverage or if your GPS device runs out of power. You can even print online versions ahead of time instead of buying books or folded brochures.

Also, sometimes drawing a route map with pen on paper can make it easier to draw waypoints. If you're using your phone or GPS for general directions, you can have your driver search the printed map for points of interest and topographical features, or do it yourself before each day's journey.