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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

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We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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The 16 Best Road Trip Apps and Planners to Download

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The Best Road Trip Apps That Help You Find Cheap Gas, Avoid Traffic, and More

Download these before you hit the highway.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

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Technology has revolutionized the way we travel in countless ways. Paper maps and GPS navigation systems have been replaced by Google and Apple Maps, old-school CDs by music streaming services, and guidebooks by apps that can notify road-trippers of roadside attractions in real time. One thing is certain: the smartphone has made road trips infinitely easier and, arguably, cheaper.

Whether you need a digital road trip planner to map out your next journey or something to help you avoid traffic jams, here are 11 of the best road trip apps to download ahead of your next adventure.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is one of the most practical and popular road trip planning apps out there. Maybe you want to see national parks or the quirkiest roadside attractions. Perhaps you want to stop for the night at an iconic or underrated hotel. You can plan your stops right in the app, adding up to three waypoints for free or 150 with a Roadtrippers Premium account. There are also Basic and Pro memberships that allot you 20 and 50 waypoints per trip, respectively. The higher-tier memberships allow you to collaborate with friends and family and use navigation. The app features lodging, sights, outdoorsy destinations, restaurants, activities, shopping, fuel, and more all around the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The app is free, but you have to upgrade to a membership plan to enjoy all the bells and whistles. The Basic plan costs $40 a year, the Pro plan $50 a year, and the Premium $60 a year. It's available on iOS and Android .

Google Maps

Every road-tripper needs a trusty navigation app in their arsenal, and Google Maps is consistently one of the most — if not the most — downloaded in the U.S. every year. Its dominance can be attributed to how comprehensive its data is, which allows it to generate the very best directions based on distance, road conditions, and traffic patterns.

Google Maps gives you route options and provides accurate estimates of how long it takes to get from A to B. Plus, you can plot several waypoints along your route — be it a mid-morning coffee stop or a hotel for overnighting (you can see reviews right in the app).

Google Maps is free and available on iOS and Android .

Waze is another one of the top navigation apps. With real-time updates that help you avoid traffic jams, construction, and more, it will have you navigating new cities and unfamiliar streets like a seasoned local. It's perhaps a little more proactive than Google Maps in changing up a route when problems arise, and that means Waze users should prepare for their drive to be a little unpredictable.

No one wants to spend hours sitting in traffic instead of exploring, so the fact that Waze collects data from other drivers to streamline the driving experience is a huge help. The app is free and available on iOS and Android .

Paying for fuel can eat up a good chunk of your road trip budget, but GasBuddy can save you a few bucks. The app crowdsources up-to-date fuel prices for more than 150,000 gas stations around the U.S. and Canada. The app also tells you how recent the submission is so you know whether it's outdated.

GasBuddy is not just helpful for finding cheap gas but also for finding gas stations in general (and parking), which can be difficult in foreign territory. The app is free and can be downloaded on iOS and Android . While using it, be a good road-tripper and submit gas prices you see as you travel.

Roadside America

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

The offbeat and kitschy roadside attractions you can find throughout the U.S. are often some of the most delightful parts of a road trip. The Roadside America app helps you find the most unique attractions worth stopping for, like the large sculpture of a cartoon mouse holding a cheese platter in Plain, Wisconsin — where else? — or the decidedly odd larger-than-life-sized three-way electrical plug that rests on a lawn in Philadelphia. The app features museums, murals, tours, quirky restaurants, and photo ops.

Roadside America costs $3 to download, which gets you access to one region in the app. You can purchase more regions for $2 or get access to all of the U.S. and Canada for an extra $7. The app is available only on iOS .

iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Knowing where to stop for road trip snacks, a drive-through latte, or a public restroom can be challenging with all the exit signs whizzing by at 70 mph, but iExit Interstate Exit Guide takes the guesswork out of it. The app will list which exits are coming up on your route, what's there, and what they offer — including food, lodging, fuel, and even hospitals. It pulls fuel prices from OPIS (the Oil Price Information Service) and displays Yelp reviews for businesses.

The app is free to download. Find it on both iOS and Android .

HotelTonight

Even if you've planned out all your stops ahead of time, you might find that you need to pull over for a night unexpectedly. Driving is tiring, and unplanned naps can be life-saving. HotelTonight can help you find accommodations in a pinch. The app offers day-of deals on unsold rooms, and the user-friendly interface means you can book a discounted room in minutes. There are well over 1,000 properties to choose from in cities all over the world, from Mexico City to Jakarta (in case you happen to take your road-tripping global).

It's free to download and available on iOS and Android .

If staying in a tucked-away A-frame cabin, a yurt, or a private guest house in someone's garden is more your travel style than bouncing between hotels, then Airbnb is the ticket. On the Airbnb app, you can search properties (millions in the U.S. alone) on a map and read reviews before you book, which you can do in advance or at the last minute.

The app features not just vacation homes but also activities, so if you're keen to experience a city like a local you can do so via a pottery class or a guided walking tour, for example.

The Airbnb app is free. You can download it on iOS or Android .

Patchareeporn Sakoolchai/Getty Images

Travelers who dream of camping out under the stars should download The Dyrt , a free app that helps you find tent, RV, and cabin sites across the U.S. One of the top camping apps on iOS and Android , it has more than a million registered users who submit reviews, pictures, and tips. On The Dyrt, you get real intel on campsites and a built-in community that makes camping on a road trip especially fun and safe. You can even book some of the campsites right on app.

The app is free, but there's a premium version for $36 a year that allows you to plan trips and search campsites while offline — convenient for remote regions.

What is a road trip without a perfect playlist? Whether you're keen to create a soundtrack of nostalgic singalongs, modern pop songs, or music inspired by your destination, you'll find even the most obscure tunes on Spotify , a catalog of more than 100 million tracks. When you tire of Taylor Swift, you can turn to podcasts or an audiobook to keep you company. Road trips are a great opportunity to delve into a docuseries like "Serial," an all-time favorite.

Spotify is free to download and listen to, but the ad breaks are annoying and streaming can chew through your phone data. A better option is to purchase a premium membership for $11 a month. It's ad-free and you can download music to listen to offline. The Spotify app is available on iOS and Android .

Electric vehicles are increasingly commonplace and great for more environmentally friendly road-tripping. The problem is often finding charging stations, as most EVs can go 100 to 300 miles before they need to be plugged in. PlugShare lists 700,000 charging stations across North America, Europe, and beyond. Users share their reviews of the stations, helping to guide EV drivers to the best, fastest, and most reliable charging spots.

PlugShare is free and available to download on iOS and Android .

Best road trip planner apps: 5 apps to map out your adventure

How to plan your roadtrip with apps in the driver's seat

Regardless of your destination, planning your trip is an integral part of the adventure. Otherwise, you’ll spend way more than you need to and, chances are, you won’t get to see everything on your wishlist. 

We live in a golden age of technology that we often take for granted. But, in all the time we spend playing our ‘Spin Addicts’ and our ‘Cat Quests’, very rarely do we think about the utility that our smart devices can provide on the open road. 

As such, we’ve gone out of our way to do the thinking for you.

That’s right, to help you out with your next big outing we’ve assimilated five of the best road trip planner apps for your lengthy expedition below. Above all else, we imagine you’ll be enticed by the fact that they’re all free to download, even if you may or may not be tempted later on to shell out some cash for a monthly subscription fee. (You’ll know what we mean when you see it.)

1. Roadtrippers 

As its name and slogan suggests, this is the only map built for travelers. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole, but this app will help you find virtually everything you could ever need along the way. 

Open Roadtrippers and you’ll find millions of locations, including local diners and roadside attractions that, admittedly, Google Maps is prone to miss. Then, once you’ve outlined your road trip plan, you can share it with your travel buddies so that they can make suggestions. 

Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

2. Waze 

Like Roadtrippers, Waze hones in on social interaction, but it does so by letting the community decide which routes are the best to take. Users can report nearby collisions, police radar and traffic jams so that you can safely avoid those routes in favor of arriving on time. What’s more, you’ll find the cheapest gas prices around, as gathered by the community. Regardless of whether you set out to save time or money, Waze is the best way to do both.

3. GasBuddy 

Unlike our previous mentions which can potentially save time or money, GasBuddy promises a specific amount of money you’ll save by using it.

Similar to Waze, GasBuddy is a community-driven platform that helps you locate the most affordable gas prices around so that you never have to pay full price for fossil fuels again. The difference is that, with this app, you can subscribe to GasBuddy Pay for additional savings of 15 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon on every fill-up after that. 

Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android  

4. Hotel Tonight 

We’ve all been in that position. The one where we get too tired to continue driving and we need to find a hotel quickly and cheaply, else suffer the wrath of sleepy driving with the windows rolled down and the music turned all the way up. (Pro tip: don't do that, ever. It's super dangerous.) 

But if that sounds like a horror story that you’ve experienced before, Hotel Tonight is the app for you. Specializing in last-minute hotel deals, Hotel Tonight makes it possible to book a room in three easy taps and one seamless swipe. 

5. Spotify  

Close your eyes. Now imagine you can listen to any song you want, including but not limited to “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. Now open them. 

Though it seems jokingly obvious now, Spotify would have been a dream come true in the days when top 40 radio hits triumphed over all else. Finally, you don’t have to listen to the same handful of songs on repeat. 

Instead, you can hand-pick your own playlists, choosing between over 30 million songs in the Spotify catalog. Of course, if Spotify isn't your music scene, both Apple Music and Google's own Play Music streaming service are also good travel companions.

  TechRadar’s The Road to the Show 2018 sees our intrepid writers braving a cross-country trip across the US, using the best gadgets to bring you their daily travel blog and offering the best tips for a tech-based roadtrip. The journey is brought to you in association with ZTE and the ZTE Axon M, with car transportation provided by Genesis.  

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The best trip planner apps to make your travels easier

Booking a trip can be an exciting yet daunting task. As if booking airfare, hotel, and transportation weren't enough, you also need to consider food, sights, and attractions. As a travel lover myself, I often dread planning and preparing for a trip. Not only do I never have the time, but I often get oversaturated by the vast amount of information found online and the fear of getting scammed. 

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Over the years, I've found the best websites and apps to help smooth out the planning process. These apps help me keep track of all my reservations, send me booking reminders, and guarantee I always find the best prices -- because there is nothing worse than falling for tourist traps or overpriced offerings. 

Whether you are a spontaneous or a nitty-gritty planner traveler, ZDNET has tested and reviewed the best trip planner apps on the market. Our top pick for the best trip planner site and app is Booking.com due to its easy-to-use user interface, extensive booking capabilities, and pricing. However, since not every trip or traveler is the same, we've included several options to help you plan and stay organized during your travels. 

Keep reading to learn more about ZDNET's expert-tested and reviewed trip planner apps. 

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The best trip planner apps of 2023

Booking.com, best overall trip planner.

• Multiple bookings
• Great deals
• Can earn points from bookings and reservations
• Easy to use
• No group planning
• Can't organize bookings per trip

Booking.com features:   Platform: App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

When planning my trips, I always make a stop at the Booking.com app, especially when reserving hotels. I find their user interface visually appealing and easy to use, and that it provides just the right amount of information I need when scrolling through hotel suggestions. Personally, I enjoy that I can add my top picks to my favorites with a quick tap of a heart, glance through reviews, look at cancellation policies, and even find out how far away hotels are from key spots. Through Booking.com, you can also book flights, car rentals, taxis, and city attractions, making it a great all-in-one place to plan and book upcoming weekend getaways or longer vacations. While I have personally never used the car rentals, taxis, or city attractions components of the app, I enjoy knowing that if I ever needed to, I can quickly hop on my phone and glance at the latest offerings. 

My favorite feature when using Booking.com to plan trips is the offers and promotions it displays for users. In the app, when you click your profile, you can see your "Genius" loyalty program status as well as discover the best deals around the world for your specific chosen dates. My only critique of Booking.com is that it does not enable group trip planning or let you organize your bookings per trip. This means if you are planning a trip with a friend, only one person can book and have access to reservations. 

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Best trip planner for organization

• Synced with e-mail inbox
• Organizes reservations no matter where you book
• Works offline
• Can't make any bookings
• Need to pay for advanced features
• UI could use an upgrade

TripIt features:   Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility: iOS and Android | Pricing: Free or $49 per year | Booking: No | Group planning: Yes

In terms of planning a trip, creating an itinerary, and keeping all your information in one place, TripIt is one of the best travel apps to keep yourself organized. When you first create an account, TripIt will sync with your inbox and automatically add all of your upcoming flights and reservations to your account. You can then modify each trip to include as little or as much information as you'd like. As someone who likes to be spontaneous when traveling, I usually only add the essentials: flight information, hotel reservations, and important documents. However, if you like to plan your trips down by the hour, you can also include activities, restaurant reservations, transportation, and more in your trip plan to share with fellow travelers.

As your trip approaches, TripIt will also send you packing reminders, give you COVID-19 travel guidance, and show transportation options. While you can get most of the essential features within the free version of the app (this is the one I use), you can also pay $49 a year to get advanced features such as check-in reminders, real-time flight alerts, point tracking, and even notifications for drops in airfare prices. 

Keep in mind that while TripIt gives you transportation options and finds places near your hotel, you cannot book or make any reservations directly from the app. The app is solely used to organize and keep track of all of your travel plans in one place, no matter where you book them. 

Best AI trip planner

• Personalized travel itinerary
• Hotel booking
• Can modify recommendations
• Group planning enabled
• Only available as a website
• No flight or restaurant booking

Guide features:   Platform: Website  Compatibility: all major browsers |  Pricing:  Free | Booking: Yes, but hotels only | Group Planning: Yes  Generative AI is everyone's favorite buzzword this year, and slowly but surely, it has been making its way across all industries -- including the travel industry. Guide is an innovative AI travel planning tool that creates personalized travel itineraries based on your preferences. (Full disclosure, it's also owned by ZDNET's sister company. It's currently in private beta, but you can join a wait list.) All you need to do is select your destination, the dates, whether you are traveling alone or in a group, your budget, and the types of activities you are looking for, and Guide will do the planning. 

After generating a trip itinerary for you based on your prompt, Guide then lets you modify and customize the itinerary to your liking. I recently used Guide to plan a six-day trip to Austin, Texas, and this was the feature I enjoyed the most, since I had specific restaurants and activities I wanted to incorporate into my trip, but I also needed some additional recommendations. While you can't book flights or restaurant reservations through Guide, you can book and find great hotel deals powered by Expedia on the platform. 

Guide will also give you an overall budget for your trip, a packing list, and a comprehensive list of things to know about your destination -- which may be helpful for some more than others. While my trip to Austin was a solo trip, Guide has a feature where you can invite other fellow travelers to collaborate in planning your trip through Guide's chatbot, GuideBot. This chatbot also works sort of like ChatGPT, where you can ask GuideBot questions about your trip, your destination, or recommendations. Keep in mind you can not ask GuideBot to directly modify your trip for you, and instead need to manually do it yourself -- believe me, I tried. 

Tripadvisor

Best trip planner app for reviews.

• Countless reviews
• Used by travelers worldwide
• Variety of information
• Booking capabilities
• Great for local spots
• Booking is not its strongest feature and you may not always find the best deals
• Doesn't vet reviews

Tripadvisor  features: Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes |  Group planning:  No

Reading customer reviews is one of the most important steps when planning a trip. While you shouldn't base all of your decisions on reviews, you should consider past customer experiences to get a feel for the brand and company you are about to trust, or the experience you are going to pay for.  When it comes to travel reviews, Tripadvisor is the best trip planner app to rely on. Since the platform has so many reviews for restaurants, activities, accommodations, and locations all over the world, it is always easy and convenient to log onto the app or website to help you make an educated decision. (However, remember that not all Tripadvisor reviews are legit, since the platform does not independently verify customer postings.) Beyond reviews, TripAdvisor also lets you book hotels, restaurants, things to do, and more while also providing detailed insights into their offerings -- including cancellation policies, ratings, and features. 

Tripadvisor's "Travelers' Choice" best-of list is also a popular part of its platform, allowing visitors to see top-rated destinations, hotels, restaurants, and things to do around the world. With Tripadvisor, you can plan a trip yourself from scratch, hire a trip designer, or get a custom itinerary built by AI. 

Best trip planner app for transportation

• Great multi-mode travel comparison
• convenient and seamless transportation booking
• Multiple currency and language availability
• Flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest
• Limited offers depending on the country or city of travel
• Not the most reliable customer service

Omio features:  Platform:  App and website |  Compatibility:  iOS and Android |  Pricing:  Free |  Booking:  Yes, transportation only |  Group planning:  No

I first discovered Omio when a friend recommended it to me while I was studying abroad in Spain, and ever since I downloaded it, it has become my go-to app for booking the best deals and fares on transportation within Europe. The concept behind Omio is simple: You plug in your departure and arrival location, including the number of people you are traveling with, and add whether you are looking for a one-way or round-trip journey. Omio will then show you the best deals by train, bus, or plane to and from your desired destination, including how much time each option will take you and the number of stops. 

The German-based travel booking site is great at aggregating travel information from multiple sites, allowing you to view all of your transportation options in one place. This is incredibly beneficial when planning trips within Europe since there are several ways you can cross each border and often various languages and regulations to keep in mind. Omio is set in English but has multiple additional languages available, as well as currency options. During my time abroad, I solely used Omio to book all of my transportation, including planning a 17-day trip across seven different European countries. Overall, using Omio was not only convenient and seamless but also helped me save hundreds of dollars by helping me maximize my travel time by switching between flights, trains, and buses. 

However, since returning from Europe, I have not used Omio as much as I thought I would -- maybe because I have a car and take most of my trips by plane. And Omio's flight deals and suggestions are not the strongest compared to Booking.com or Skyscanner's, which heavily focus on flight deals. I have also found they have some limitations depending on the country or city you are traveling in. Be mindful of the deals and tickets you buy through Omio since some tickets are non-refundable, and some customers complain their customer service is not the best -- although I have yet to have any issues with them. 

What is the best trip planner app?

Booking.com gets our vote for the best trip planner app due to its wide selection of accommodations, its points and promotions offerings, and its easy-to-use user interface. Not only does Booking.com help you find the best deals throughout your trip, but it will also help you stay organized throughout your trip by keeping all of your reservations in one place. To determine which trip planner app or combination of trip planners is best for you, check out this comparison chart below. 

Which is the right trip planner app for you?

The best trip planner app ultimately depends on your travel and planning style. If you like booking and planning everything in one place while also earning points and getting great deals, then Booking.com is your top app. However, if you are looking for a place to keep all of your accommodations, reservations, and activity details organized, then TripIt is a better app for you. Check out the following chart to help you find the best trip planner app or a combination of apps for you to plan your next adventure. 

How did we choose these trip planner apps?

To find the best trip planner apps, we drew upon real-life experiences and tested their performance and capabilities during our latest trips. Ultimately, we weighted the following factors when choosing which trip planners to include on our list: 

• Features: Each app can vary significantly with the features it offers, whether it is solely to book flights and hotels, help you plan your next trip using AI, or help you find the best deals and booking information, each app on this list can help you address several common inconveniences that present themselves while planning that next adventure.  
• Compatibility: An app is of little use if it does not work with your devices, so we look to see what compatibility each trip-planning app offers and which platforms you can access it from. Personally, I enjoy apps that combine an app and website component since this quickly helps me switch between my wide computer screen and my tiny yet portable iPhone screen. 
• Customer reviews: We study real customer reviews and ratings to evaluate customer satisfaction and service. This is incredibly important since most times when you travel, you visit an unknown city or country, and you should be mindful of past experiences others have had. 
• Cost : Most trip planner apps are free, but you may have to upgrade to receive special access to exclusive features or deals. If your app is already free, it means you only have to pay a small amount (often unnoticeable) when you book your accommodations. 

What is a trip planner app?

A trip planner app is an app that provides organizational features for your upcoming trip. It is often free and incorporates trip planning tools, whether you are traveling by ground, water or air.   

How does a trip planner app work?

A trip planner app can incorporate special features, like an itinerary, calendar, reservation and booking hub, and map assistance. Depending on the app you choose, there is even trip-sharing with friends and family to simplify the entire trip planning process.  

How much does a trip planner app cost?

Most trip planner apps are free, but some may offer in-app purchases to upgrade or enhance your experience. Within this list, only Tripit costs money, but only for their advanced features version, which costs $49 a year. However, you can get access to most if not all, trip-planning features, through their free version. 

Are there alternative trip planner apps worth considering?

As I mentioned earlier, trip planning heavily depends on your personal style of travel and preferences. However, whether you like to plan your trips down by the minute or prefer to just have the basics, there are several apps that can optimize your planning. Here are a few apps worth considering that almost made it onto our list: 

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Roadtrippers - Trip Planner 4+

Planner, map, & travel guides, roadtrippers.

• #192 in Travel
• 4.6 • 58.9K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

DISCOVER THE OPEN ROAD AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS WITH EASE Roadtrippers, the #1 road trip planning app, now includes the patent-pending AI-powered trip wizard: Roadtrippers Autopilot™. Whether you’re RVing on your annual campground trip, or planning a weekend trip at a boutique hotel, Roadtrippers Autopilot™ uses the knowledge of over 38 million trips to help get you there. And, with the newly added features from Campendium, Roadtrippers will be your go-to app for planning epic road trips and finding the perfect camping spots. ENHANCED CAMPING AND RV FEATURES ∙ Campground Reviews and Insights: Dive into over 150,000 campground reviews, offering perspectives for RVers and campers alike. Discover the best spots, from swanky RV parks to serene, free remote destinations. ∙ Comprehensive Map Overlays: Find the perfect campgrounds with ease using overlays for public land, cell coverage, and wildfire smoke, ensuring you’re always informed and prepared. ∙ Advanced Filtering Options: Tailor your search with new filtering capabilities, including cell service and elevation, to find your ideal campsite every time. EXPLORE AND PLAN WITH EASE ∙ Epic Routes and Places: Uncover millions of unique places, from quirky roadside attractions to breathtaking national parks. Get inspired by pre-made trip guides for once-in-a-lifetime routes. ∙ Customizable Planning: Start with up to three stops or upgrade to add up to 150 stops per trip with our Premium membership. Enjoy RV-friendly GPS navigation, offline maps, trip collaboration, and more. ∙ Seamless Syncing and Navigation: Your saved trips and favorite places sync across devices. Hit the road with confidence using CarPlay for easy navigation. JOIN THE ROADTRIPPERS COMMUNITY Merging the spirit of Campendium with Roadtrippers, we invite you to embark on road trips and camping adventures that you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re mapping out a weekend getaway or a cross-country journey, Roadtrippers is here to guide you every mile and every campsite along the way. Download Roadtrippers today and transform your travel dreams into reality. Your next epic adventure awaits! Terms of use: https://roadtrippers.com/tos Privacy policy: https://roadtrippers.com/privacy-policy

Version 5.9.1

Roadtrippers is excited to introduce their brand-new, AI-powered trip planning tool: Roadtrippers Autopilot™, just in time for all your summer road tripping plans! Whether you’re RVing on your annual campground trip, or planning a weekend trip at a boutique hotel, Roadtrippers Autopilot™ uses the knowledge of over 38 million trips to help get you there. Get started with a free trial, or sign in with your Premium account, and check out Autopilot today! Happy travels :)

Ratings and Reviews

58.9K Ratings

Never have I ever...

Never have I ever felt it necessary to review an app, be it good or bad. However, this app is so incredible that I felt obligated to tell everyone. I've told all my friends to download it and I'm telling all you strangers to download it. It's SOOOO helpful. I did a road trip from CT to TN to TX to Nola to NC back to CT.. and I used it everyday for the entire trip. It offers so many things to do... everything from museums to abandoned houses that make for fun photo ops. If you're someone trying to take funny pictures of random side of the road things this is your app. The only thing I wish is that there was a way to like mark things off the list that you've completed. BUT.... it really added to the fun of the trip and the ease of the trip. Everything I needed was in this one app. It is trustworthy and never steered me wrong. Pun intended.... you can trust the "navigation" button and whatever address is provided. Just be sure to read the reviews of each location before going there. Just because it's on the app doesn't mean it's everything you're thinking it'll be, so read the reviews. If you're going on a road trip.. USE THIS APP. It will really add to your trip. Thank you for existing.

Good app, not great

This is a really good app. Definitely recommend it. Mostly an easy way to put a trip together, plan stops, construct a map. I would give it 5 stars except for a few very frustrating things that drag this app down. And could easily be fixed. I do understand that maybe it’s user error, but … When you are on a trip, you open the trip and it goes to your current location in Map View. However, when you open the List View for that trip, why doesn’t it go to your current location instead of starting from day one and you have to scroll all the way down until you find what you’re looking for. The way dates are managed is a complete nightmare. Changing the dates of an entire trip is such a hassle. And you cannot plan a trip without dates as once you add your first date, the app puts every single waypoint on a separate date!! Who thought that was a good idea?! You can add things that are not on the map already, but you can only add an address, you cannot label the address as to what it is. There are a lot of things that are not included on the map that I would like to add to my trips. And label with a name. This app is not a standalone app. You need other sources to complete the picture. Especially because there is a blue line indicating your route that completely covers up the highway numbers. Highway numbers are essential to trip planning. Also, can you update the gas pricing? It’s no where near accurate. And organize the trips into past and upcoming/future?

The most troublesome travel app.

As we travel using this app we must re-enter cookie preferences each time the app opened. We must re-enter our vehicle information (all of it) each time we opened the app. I tried contacting the company but it allowed no contact info other than e-mail and their response time may be days later which by then we were many hundreds of miles further into the trip and when there was a response it was a friendly response but there was no help at all. No one could ever tell me why I must re-enter all the information as though it’s the first time using the app. There was no help. Just friendly responses. They had no phone number to call for technical assistance. No help at all. Just lip service by email. It became very frustrating. I couldn’t trust that the map was taking us on roads that allowed clearance for our vehicle. I quit using the app during our first trip. I tried again on our next trip. Same problems. Same Customer Service system. I informed them that their app was a real waste of money. They could care less. As my membership grew close to the end I sent an email asking for confirmation to my request NOT TO RENEW. I never got a response. I tried contacting them today and haven’t gotten a response. Note: I initially joined the Roadpass Pro membership based on an ad by Jason Esperson. I used to watch his videos. Now I have nothing to do with TOGO RV.

Developer Response ,

Hi again Sam - we're sorry to hear again that you're disappointed that you must select vehicle preferences when navigating a trip on Roadtrippers. We offer the option to select your vehicle on each trip as we realize that you may use different vehicles for different trips. We have conversed with you multiple times through our support email system ([email protected] and [email protected]) and I can see that we have followed up with you on each request. I do see we recently responded to an email you sent to us this week but we have not heard back from you. Please do check the spam inboxes for both of the email accounts you have used to email us - our helpful responses may be there!

Subscriptions

App privacy.

The developer, Roadtrippers , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• User Content
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Roadtrippers Basic - Annual $35.99
• Roadtrippers Premium - Annual $59.99
• Roadtrippers Pro - Annual $49.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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8 Helpful Apps for a Road Trip

9 Best Travel Apps for a Great American Road Trip

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Remember the days of embarking on a road trip with a big fold-out map and maybe a Michelin Guide for a directory of places to stay and eat? Thanks to smartphones, road trippers today have an infinite number of resources to help plan the perfect road trip (or at least provide some guidance for those who prefer not to plan ahead). Several apps are designed specifically to assist travelers who go by car—many of them free—so you can focus on enjoying the journey without getting bogged down by the details.

Roadtrippers

One of the most essential apps for any road trip, Roadtrippers is the ultimate travel planning resource for anyone embarking on a driving vacation. It's especially useful for travelers who have a clear starting point and ending point, but aren't quite sure what routes to take, what cities to stop in, and what to see along the way. You just punch in point A and point B, and Roadtrippers will give you all of the best options for getting from one to the other along with recommendations of hotels, restaurants, bars, and can't-miss points of interest. It's completely free to download and use, although a premium version is available with even more features.

HotelTonight

Road trips mean you don't always know exactly where you'll be sleeping every night of the trip. You may have a general itinerary of where you're going and when, but spontaneous plans, last-minute changes, or car trouble can throw a wrench at that. When you suddenly need a place to crash, open up HotelTonight . This free app works best for same-day reservations by finding nearby deals for rooms that would otherwise be empty. The options range from luxury resorts to boutique bed and breakfasts, so after a long day behind the wheel, you can make a pitstop exactly where you want to.

If you want to score the best deals on your trip, Groupon is the place to see what's available at a discounted price. Groupon collects deals for all types of services and products that would be useful to road trippers, such as hotel rooms, car rentals, restaurants, excursions, oil changes, and much more. The app is totally free to use and you can organize your results based on category or the city you're traveling to. It's great not just for finding new activities you may not have known existed, but also for finding deals on something that was already a part of your plan.

Tripit is a free and easy-to-use travel planning and itinerary organizing app typically used more by frequent fliers. But road trippers can use the Tripit app or website to plan a trip complete with hotel, dining, and shopping stops. Whenever you book a hotel, dinner reservation, car rental, or some type of transit, just forward the confirmation email to Tripit and it will automatically be stored inside the app, so your entire itinerary is easily accessible in one location. Tripit even lets you share your travel agenda to social media or with other friends on Tripit. Plus, it's an easy way to go back later and remember all of the travel details of your trip.

Google Maps

A navigation app isn't a revolutionary idea for a road trip and there's a good chance you already have one downloaded on your phone. And even though Google Maps is by far the most popular one, it's worth calling out as a necessity for your journey. You can filter directions by the fastest route, traffic conditions, avoiding tolls, or intermediary stops. You can also download entire areas to be used offline, which is essential for stretches of road that are outside of coverage zones. If you want to plan out when you'll stop for food, gas, coffee, or a supermarket, Google Maps will find places along the route, each one accompanied by all of the reviews of other Google users.

A road trip across the U.S. sometimes involves countless hours of driving at night in the middle of nowhere. Or, it could mean a camping trip under the stars. Either way, you're going to need to make a night-time pit stop, so why not use the break to take in those twinkling stars? The free Star Walk app is an easy-to-use astronomy program that lets you point your phone at the sky and discover which stars, planets, and constellations are above you. Which of those dots is actually the North Star? Can I see my birth sign constellation? Is that glowing red orb Mars? With Star Walk, all of these answers and more are at your fingertips.

Roadside America

What's a road trip without stops at the quirky attractions along the way? Roadside America enhances your road trip by mapping out all of the kitsch, bizarre, and one-of-a-kind points of interest along the route. The app costs $2.99 for a designated region of the U.S. or Canada and additional regions have to be purchased within the app, but it includes full field reports of hundreds of attractions organized by city, state, province, or category so you can actually learn about what you're seeing. Don't miss out on a weird museum, famous gravesite, Muffler Man, or another peculiarity that could be just a short detour away.

If you've ever been on a road trip, you already know the story: You've been driving for hours, you're in an unfamiliar area miles away from a big city, and you suddenly realize the gas indicator is dangerously close to "E." Do you veer off to the first rest stop you see? Or wait it out and hope for something less expensive a few miles ahead? Thanks to Gas Buddy , you can make a decision without any internal dilemma. This free app searches all nearby gas stations for the best prices, so you can easily choose and not risk paying more than necessary—or worse, running out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

Some of the best road trip memories likely involve turning the music up and rocking out to your favorite music with the open road in front of you. Rather than getting stuck with what's playing on the radio, download the Spotify app to find your favorite artists or music genre and create playlists with the tap of your finger. The app is free to download and use if you don't mind the occasional ad, but you can also upgrade to a premium version for uninterrupted tunes.

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10 Best Travel TRIP PLANNER APPs To Have in 2024

In a fast-paced world where the stress of work and school is overwhelming, we all need a break to de-stress our minds. Traveling is one good way to take your mind off of stressful things – a breather. And a scheduled vacation gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s a local trip alone, a family holiday, or a getaway with your best friends, it just excites you to wish the day would come faster. 

10 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2024

The freeform app.

• TripIt: Travel Planner

Hopper – Flight & Hotel Deals

• Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner

Roadtrippers: Trip Planner

Tripadvisor, travelspend: track travel expense & trip budget, tripcase – travel organizer app, travel planning apps for your next trip.

The Freeform app is an endless whiteboard that lets users add information from a variety of websites, photos, videos and files.

Because the boards are kept in iCloud, they can be accessed from any device anytime inspiration hits. While you and your travel companions plan your dream trip, the specifics can be shared with several individuals working together on the same whiteboard, making them an ongoing work in progress.

The Freeform app is free to iPhone users on iOS 16.2, iPad users on 16.2, and Mac users on Ventura MacOS Venture 13.1. 

Download the brand-new app here .

Read our full post: Apple Launches New Travel App Freeform – What to Know

Wanderlog Trip Planner App

Wanderlog is your all-in-one destination for planning future trips, sharing travel guides, and blogging past trips.

Its trip planning features are incredibly flexible: you can research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting your email, and map out a day itinerary with start/end times. You can also add notes and links all throughout.

Everything is stored offline so you can access your itinerary when traveling abroad. For road trips, it calculates the time and distance between places and exports them to Google Maps (and there are no limits to the number of stops you have on a trip!).

Plus, there’s a fun social component: collaborate with friends on itineraries, write your own travel guide, and blog about past trips. Wanderlog is available on the web and on your smartphone, so you can seamlessly plan while at home and on-the-go.

iOS  /  Android

TripIt: Trip Planner App

If you need any help organizing the dozens of itineraries, TripIt is the app for you. Users simply need to forward your flight, hotel, restaurant, and car rental confirmation emails to [email protected] and the app will create a free master doc for each of your trips. The best thing about this app is that you can get access to your itinerary anywhere, even without an internet connection. 

In addition, the Pro version will find you alternative routes for canceled flights and send out notifications for delayed flights, cancellations, and more from the airlines. 

iOS / Android

Rome2rio is a versatile travel planning app that simplifies the process of finding and booking travel options. It’s a handy tool for travelers seeking to explore various transportation choices between destinations. Rome2rio offers users a comprehensive view of travel options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and even driving directions.

Key features of Rome2rio include:

• Route Information: The app provides detailed information on different routes, including estimated travel times, costs, and the number of transfers required.
• Booking Integration: Users can book flights, train tickets, and other transportation options directly through the app, streamlining the booking process.
• Map Integration: Rome2rio integrates with maps, allowing users to visualize their travel routes and explore nearby attractions.
• Multi-Modal Travel: It offers options for combining various modes of transportation, making it easy to plan complex journeys.
• Accurate Pricing: The app provides real-time pricing information, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
• Offline Access: Rome2rio offers offline access to previously searched routes, which can be handy when traveling without a data connection.

Hopper is an amazing trip planner app to have on your phone. The app predicts airfares up to 1 year in advance, with 95% accuracy. It analyzes over billions of flight prices and hotels within the day – telling you whether to book your trip now or wait for just a little longer.

Here’s how it works: Key in your destination and a color-coded calendar will display the cheapest and most expensive date to fly. The app will then recommend you to either book the flight now or sit it out and wait for airfare to get cheaper. Also, you can filter predictions to custom-fit your trip – remove long layovers, extra fees, restrictions, and more. 

And if you worry about missing out the cheap flight bookings, don’t be! Hopper will send you a notification when fares have dropped to its lowest point.

SYGIC Travel Maps Trip Planner

Sygic Travel Maps , the new version of Sygic Trip Planner, is the first travel app to display all of the attractions and places a traveler needs to see and visit on a single map.

Sync your trips with the Sygic Travel app and find hidden gems in all cities you visit. The app boast a large database that allows you to find the best hotels, tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, bars, and stores wherever you go.

This mobile app also let you download offline maps and guides, which come in helpful when traveling to remote locations with poor or non-existing Wi-Fi.

It also has a dedicated section to worldwide places of interest for travel business. Get location information for individual cities, countries, continents, or the entire planet.

The app is available in 18 languages.

iOS / Android iOS

Planning on a cross-country road trip ? Roadtrippers is the app for you! Not everyone is fond of waiting long hours at the airport while sitting through your red-eye flight. Hit the road with your friends instead.

Roadtrippers provides everything you need to know on your road trip. Just enter your starting point, destination, and let the app do its work for you! From camping sites to rest stops, outdoor activities, exciting adventures along the way that you didn’t know existed. This app is the perfect buddy for your road trip regardless of your mode of transportation – a sedan, a rental car, or a huge family RV.

Most of us dream of going to places! But planning an amazing trip to places we have not been to is pretty hard as you don’t know where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and adventures to try. We mostly rely on recommendations, most of which are not even right, that we find online. 

TripAdvisor has over millions of travel recommendations on hotels, top dining spots, must-do experiences, and treasured gems to over 8 million destinations at your perusal. It is an all-in-one app that lets you book tables at restaurants and compares low prices on hotels and flights.

You can also follow friends and travel experts for advice that match your interests, watch videos, and read articles. In return, you can share your experiences, reviews, and helpful guides for other users too!

Setting up a budget for your trip is easy, however, sticking to it is hard. TravelSpend will help you with that. It starts with entering your budget and expenses over multiple days so you don’t go overboard. The app helps you in sticking to your budget effectively.

Being in another country is not a problem at all: enter your expenses in any currency and the app will automatically convert it to your home currency.

Track your travel expenses whether going on a solo around-the-world trip or backpacking holiday with your best friends. The app allows you to share your trip with your friends and track your expenses together. Pay debts, split bills, and check your balances – all in the app!

TripCase, a comprehensive travel organizer app, has emerged as a popular choice among travelers seeking a streamlined and efficient way to manage their journey details.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Centralized Itinerary Management : TripCase allows users to consolidate all their travel details, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, into a single, easily accessible itinerary.

Real-time Flight Alerts : The app keeps travelers informed with up-to-the-minute notifications on flight statuses, including delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Itinerary Sharing : TripCase offers a sharing option that enables users to send their travel plans to friends, family, or colleagues.

Travel Directions and Maps : To aid navigation in unfamiliar locations, the app provides directions and maps.

Nearby Recommendations : TripCase offers recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other services close to the traveler’s location.

Document Storage : For added convenience, the app allows users to store essential travel documents digitally, ensuring that important information like passport details, visas, and insurance policies are readily available.

Customizable Notifications : Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing what types of alerts they receive and how they are notified, tailoring the app to suit individual needs and preferences.

iOS / Android 

Hi, great List. I couldn’t travel without my Apps! I have one App you could check out =) Its called ” ATM Fee Saver” and it gives a list with all ATMs and their fees and limit. I found it super helpful and it really helped me to save some money. Best regards, Charlotte

Thank you for your suggestions! Those apps are very useful and various

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• Route Planning

11 Best Free Route Planners with Unlimited Stops in 2024

• On Apr 11, 2024

From delivery services to GPS to fitness trackers, technology is transforming how we live. This shift is vital for businesses, especially in e-commerce and retail, where fast and efficient deliveries are key.  Studie s show over 90% of consumers expect 2-3 day delivery, with some wanting it same-day. But faster deliveries come at a cost: and with a record $2.3 trillion in spend in 2023, US logistics costs have hit an all-time high .

The answer? Route optimization! By planning the most efficient routes, businesses can save money and be more sustainable. Luckily, there are several free route planning tools available. Keep reading to discover the 11 best free options for your business.

1. Here WeGo – Alternative to Google Maps with Unlimited Stops

HERE WeGo is a free route planner and navigation app that offers a variety of features designed to make travel easier and more convenient. 

One of the most useful features of HERE WeGo is its ability to download maps for offline use. This is especially helpful when traveling in areas with limited internet connectivity. Users can download entire cities or regions, and the app will continue to provide directions and other features even without an internet connection.

In 2023, HereWeGo unveiled a fresh new design, emphasizing clearer navigation and ease of use, with features like simple walking directions, public transit information for over 1,900 cities, and turn-by-turn voice guidance for driving, enhancing the overall user experience. Last year’s new features and functionalities included:

• A customizable map view empowering users to tailor their maps by displaying traffic, city, and topographic features according to their preferences.
• A new functionality allowed users to toggle the display of a progress bar, providing a comprehensive overview of traffic, stops, estimated travel time, and arrival time.
• A convenient hotel booking feature, allowing users to book accommodations directly through the app via Booking.com partnership, streamlining the booking process.
• Highway rest stop amenities enabled drivers to locate available facilities along their route, particularly beneficial for electric vehicle drivers seeking charging points.

In 2024, HereWeGo is adding a number of improvements and new features to the platform:

• Intermodal Journey Planning: The app now includes intermodal journey planning, enabling users to view the total travel time by car, including walking to the vehicle and from the parking spot to the final destination. The app also remembers the parking location to provide an accurate estimated time of arrival.
• Offline Map Downloads: Users now have the option to download maps for offline navigation of entire regions, countries, or continents. This feature ensures reliable routing even without an internet connection, making it ideal for travel to avoid data roaming charges.
• New Road Signs Indication: Finally coming out of beta, this feature tells users about important road signs as they approach, so they can see road sign icons with remaining distance indicated on the screen.
• Future Transportation Modes and On-the-Go Services : HERE WeGo plans to introduce more transportation modes such as biking and car-sharing in the near future, along with additional on-the-go services like parking. 
• A web version of the app featuring 3D maps is also expected to launch in 2024.

Here WeGo offers turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance, making it easy to follow directions while driving, cycling, or walking. It includes pretty accurate traffic information, though it lacks the ability to actively modify an assigned route when the app detects that there is congestion on the way. 

Because of this and the limited options it offers for route optimization, users may need to manually adjust their route to achieve the most efficient path.

• Unlimited stops
• Download maps for offline use
• Detailed public transit options, including bus and train schedules
• Real-time traffic updates
• Customizable route options
• Safety features, including speed limit warnings, lane guidance, and alerts for sharp turns and railroad crossings
• Limited voice guidance
• Incomplete point of interest database
• Slow loading times
• Limited route optimization options

Is This Tool Right for You?

It’s a solid alternative to Google Maps, particularly for users who prioritize privacy and need unlimited stops.

Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android

2. Maptive – Best for Professionals

Maptive is the best free route optimizer for professionals of every kind. Maptive offers many advanced options that simpler route optimizers like Google Maps don’t offer, such as:

• Up to 73 stops
• Optimizes your stops to find the shortest route
• Offers a suite of tools like distance calculators, radius tools, and more.
• Map location data in bulk to show all your customers, store locations, and more.
• Overlay multiple routes
• Customize route colors and marker appearance
• Share maps publicly or securely

Maptive offers a free 10-day trial that gives you a chance to try out all of their tools and features for free. 

In 2024, Maptive plans to release the version 5 of their mapping software, including: 

• A new and improved user interface that makes the platform not just sleeker, but also more user-friendly.
• All new drive time polygons with improved isochrones to generate even more accurate drive time estimates.
• New CRM integrations to seamlessly connect with platforms like Salesforce, Pipedrive, Hubspot, Keap, and Zoho.
• AI-driven territory generation tools to simplify and streamline territory plotting.
• Advanced map layering and customization to give users more control.
• Built-in map charts to facilitate deeper insights into your data.

The new Maptive version will be a complete rebuild from the ground up using OpenGL which will allow for better performance and better data visualization capabilities.

Maptive is easier to use than many tools on this list as it allows you to easily add multiple stops by clicking on the map or by typing in addresses. The Maptive interface is intuitive to use and offers lots of built-in guides.

• Optimizes your stops for a more efficient route
• Import or copy-paste location data in bulk
• Lots of customization options
• Lots of value-adding tools and features for businesses
• Layer multiple routes
• Lots of sharing options
• Cloud-based
• Works on all devices
• Not 100% free – Made for business professionals
• It takes time to learn how to use it
• Web-based (no apps available)

Maptive is perfect for businesses of all sizes that need to optimize delivery routes with multiple stops (think delivery companies, field service technicians).

Available on: Web-based

Try Maptive Now

3. google maps – best for simple routes.

By far, the most common route planner app is Google Maps. Virtually everyone uses this tool to get from one place to another, but not many are aware that it’s capable of planning routes with multiple stops.

Google Maps advertises that they’re able to plan routes with up to ten spots. However, there’s a trick you can use to create routes with up to 25 stops. Google Maps’ user-friendly interface and familiarity make it an excellent choice for a wide range of businesses.

Google is so revolutionary when mapping that many other providers have built their tools using Google’s API. So, it’s clear the company is doing something right when it comes to its mapping tool.

In 2023, Google Maps added a few new features driven by AI integrations, including Immersive View, which can help users plan their trips ahead of time whether driving, walking, or cycling. Immersive view gives users visual turn-by-turn directions and can help avoid getting stuck in congestion thanks to simulated traffic and weather conditions. 

At CES 2024, they also announced a new battery notifications feature for EV vehicles directly in Google Maps. This new integration will make life much easier for EV drivers using Android Auto. It will allow them to see estimated battery levels upon arrival at their destination and even flag charging stops along the way. Other improvements and new features for 2024 include:

• New default map style: A fresh map style with an updated color palette and enhanced usability. Starting March 21, 2024, apps using map IDs can preview and opt-in to the new style, which will become the default on March 18, 2025.
• Redesigned interfaces: Key interfaces, including the directions search experience, have been revamped to reduce clutter and bring important elements within easier reach.
• Precise business entrances: In the near future, Google Maps will show precisely where the main entrances to businesses and points of interest are located, improving user navigation. 
• Glanceable Directions feature: This feature displays real-time navigation info on the lock screen, allowing users to track their journey without constantly unlocking their phone.
• AI-powered features: AI-powered features such as dish identification in restaurant photos, menu information, and a cleaner interface design.
• Enhanced recommendations : Google Maps will include recommendation lists curated by publishers like Lonely Planet and The New York Times, as well as algorithmically generated lists of trending and popular places.

The biggest downside of Google Maps is you can’t optimize the order of your stops. Google will calculate your route in the order you enter your stops. For a truly optimized route, you’ll need to list your stops in the most efficient order, which isn’t always easy to figure out.

• User-friendly
• Most people already know how to use it
• Google Street View helps you see what your destinations look like
• Industry-leading technology
• Can only add 10 stops (25 with a workaround)
• You can’t optimize the order of your stops.

Great general-purpose tool for anyone needing basic navigation with traffic updates (good for personal errands or deliveries with few stops).

Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android 3. Waze – Best for Personal Trips

4. Waze – Best for Personal Trips

If you’re looking for an app with excellent directions and a great user experience, it’s hard to beat Waze. The company was purchased by Google back in 2013, so you might expect it to be reasonably similar to the Maps app. However, Waze offers some innovative features that truly make it unique.

What sets Waze apart is that it collects real-time data from other users. This allows it to provide you with live traffic updates, adjusted routes, and shortcuts. The app also integrates with Spotify, which lets you receive directions while listening to music.

While Waze’s community feature is a nice perk, it’s only effective on routes that other users are traveling. If you’re in a more remote area, you won’t have access to the same amount of real-time data.  And if you are on a route with many other users, the number of icons on the screen can block your directions.

Last year, Waze was expected to launch quite a few new features in the near future, including warnings regarding roads with an increased likelihood of accidents, support for Android Auto Coolwalk, and additional toll road controls. In November 2023, Crash History Alerts was indeed launched as its newest safety feature, notifying users of crash-prone roads along their trips. 

However, Google–Waze’s parent company–has continued to consolidate the app into its own mapping products and users have noticed that throughout 2023 Waze actually removed some core functionalities, especially across iOS devices. New features and functionalities launching in 2024 include:

• Enhanced user safety features : A host of six new features that improve user safety and convenience during navigation. They include assistance navigating roundabouts, alerts for upcoming speed limit changes, warnings about road hazards like speed bumps and sharp turns, and integration with Flash to provide detailed parking information and reservations.
• Route insights: Waze now offers users helpful information about their favorite routes, including live traffic updates and delays. This enables users to compare their usual routes with alternatives and select which option they prefer.
• First responder alerts: In an effort to prioritize the safety of first responders, Waze notifies drivers when an ambulance or fire truck is stopped along their route. This feature is currently available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and France, with more countries expected soon.
• Redesigned reporting feature: Waze has revamped its reporting feature on both Android and iOS platforms to enhance usability. However, certain options, such as reporting roadkill, were removed in the process.

The biggest downside of Waze is that you can’t add multiple stops to your route. However, its great directions and fun interface still make it worthy of being included on this list. You can always use it in conjunction with another logistics tool for routes with more than one stop.

• Makes directions fun
• Real-time updates via community data
• Integrates with Spotify
• Add friends and share directions
• You can only add 1 stop in addition to your final destination
• Lacks data in more remote areas
• Includes ads that can be distracting

Ideal for drivers who want real-time traffic updates and crowd-sourced navigation (especially good for deliveries in congested areas).

5. Apple Maps – Best for Apple Users

Not to be outdone by Google, Apple came out with its own mapping app included on all iOS devices. It offers many of the same features as Google Maps but does lag behind in a few areas.

Where it excels is its map design. The maps look great, and they include a 3D view and buildings. Apple users will also appreciate that maps and directions are synced between all Apple devices. So, you can instantly move directions from your iPad to your iPhone.

With the iOS 17 update, Apple Maps added Offline Maps, allowing users to download maps for use when a Wi-Fi or cellular signal is not available, and EV routing improvements, including “the ability to select a preferred charging network when getting directions for your electric vehicle”. And for all outdoors enthusiasts, Apple Maps has also added thousands of park trails across the U.S. “with place cards that include detailed information like trail length and type, difficulty, and elevation gain”.

New product features and updates specific to Apple Maps in 2024 include:

• Custom Routes: Expected with iOS 18 in September 2024, this new feature will allow users to pick specific roads for their routes.
• Topographic Maps on Multiple Platforms : Originally introduced on the Apple Watch in watchOS 10, topographic maps will become available on the iPhone, Mac, and Vision Pro. These maps offer detailed information crucial for hiking and outdoor activities, including trails, contour lines, elevation data, and points of interest. Anticipated for release with iOS 18, macOS 15, and visionOS 2 in 2024.
• User Reporting : Though limited compared to Waze as of early 2024, Apple Maps now includes user reporting for accidents and hazards, with potential for expansion.
• Expansion of Mapping Efforts : Apple is continuing vehicle-based data collection in countries like Malaysia, aiming to enhance its map database and introduce features like Look Around.

The biggest downfall of Apple maps is that it only allows you to add two stops. So, busy delivery drivers likely won’t be able to get much use out of this tool. Users have also complained about inaccurate information, which is a big concern for businesses.

The app is only available on Apple devices, so PC and Android users will have to look elsewhere for their route-planning software.

• Works similarly to Google Maps
• 3D maps and building views
• You can only add 2 stops
• Inaccurate information
• Only available on Apple devices

Apple Maps is a solid all-around choice for people looking for simple navigation with traffic updates. It’s great for running personal errands or handling deliveries with minimal stops.

Available on: Mac, iOS

6. TruckRouter  – Best for Truck Drivers & Fleets

TruckRouter is a free route-planning tool designed specifically for the trucking industry. If you’re a trucker, fleet manager, or dispatch professional looking for a solution to meet your needs, this is likely the one.

TruckRouter differs from other route optimization apps because it offers truck-specific routes. Trucks aren’t always able to travel everywhere due to height and weight restrictions, and the tool factors that in when it’s creating its routes.

TruckRouter also alerts drivers to low clearances, provides information on toll roads and costs, and offers a trip cost calculator to estimate your expenses.

The only downside is that the tool is web-based, meaning there aren’t downloadable apps for iOS and Android mobile devices.

• Designed for the trucking industry
• Truck specific routes
• Alerts truckers of low clearances and road elevation
• It helps you estimate expenses
• No mobile apps are available
• Only allows up to 5 stops

Specifically designed for truck drivers with features like height clearances and weight restrictions, it is essential for trucking companies and logistics.

7. SalesRabbit   – Best for Sales Teams

SalesRabbit is a lead generation and team management solution for businesses. They also offer a free multi-stop route planner.

This tool features turn-by-turn directions, and multiple stops per route and lets you plot your leads on an interactive map. As you would expect, it works seamlessly with SalesRabbit’s other solutions, so this is ideal for anyone already using their software.

Sales Rabbit’s tool also offers appointment setting services. You can filter your appointments by status, set scheduled reminders, and get directions.

To use this route planner, you’ll need to sign up for Sales Rabbit Lite, which is a free version of their sales management software. 

In October 2023, Sales Rabbit announced improvements to Proposals, Scheduler, Importer, and Lead Cards. Proposals now integrates with solar design tools and financing options, Scheduler is in early access and can sync with calendars, and Lead Cards have been improved with multi-disposition tracking, owner display, and a DGAI toggle.

While they have not announced what they have planned for the rest of 2024, in January SalesRabbit released the Amplify app for SalesRabbit Gamification users , which includes battles, competitions, achievements, social surround activities, and dashboards to boost motivation and productivity.

• Perfect for salespeople
• Works seamlessly with SalesRabbit
• Offers appointment scheduling feature
• A limited number of stops available for each route
• No desktop functionality

SalesRabbit is a tool built specifically for sales teams to plan efficient routes for visiting clients or prospects.

Available on: iOS, Android

8. Speedy Route – Best for Simple Sales Routes

Speedy Route is an excellent route optimizer for delivery routes, salespeople, and anyone who needs to plan complicated trips. There are a few features that make Speed Route superior to many other options.

First, it will automatically reorder your stops to create the quickest and most efficient route possible. It also supports timeboxing, which accommodates situations where you can only arrive at a location before or after a specific time.

After your route is calculated, Speedy Route’s drag-and-drop feature makes it easy for you to tweak your stops’ order and make adjustments as needed. Once you’re happy with your route, you can export your directions to a spreadsheet.

While there are many great things about this tool, there are a few negatives. The free version only allows you to enter ten stops, and the interface isn’t as sleek as some of the other options. Finally, because it’s a web-based solution, they don’t offer any downloadable apps.

• Simple to use
• Reorder your stops to create the most efficient route
• Offers time boxing to accommodate specific arrival times
• Easy to make adjustments to your route
• Can only add 10 locations
• Poor interface
• Downloadable apps not available

Tailored to meet the needs of sales teams, SpeedyRoutel is designed for planning efficient routes for visiting clients or prospects. 

9. Circuit – Good Alternative for Professionals

Circuit provides route optimization software with several advanced features that professionals will love. They offer a free version for those on a tight budget and a paid subscription service ideal for large businesses with more complex needs.

There are many features that make this an excellent tool. First, it allows you to set time constraints on locations if you need to arrive within a certain timeframe. You can also prioritize locations that require you to be there ASAP to ensure they’re first on your route.

Once you set your parameters, Circuit will rearrange your stops based on your parameters to create your optimal route. The app is available on the App Store and Google Play, so you can take your directions with you wherever you go.

You can find all Circuit product updates as they happen, here’s every new feature from last year:

• A new function to compare estimated and actual route durations.
• The ability to set a custom cost per delivery, a maximum number of stops per driver, and to create custom delivery zones, so you can hand a clear plan to your teams on the ground. Users can also create read-only team member roles, to ensure data privacy and allow for information to be accessed or hidden based on their job functions.
• Integration with Circuit’s API, which was not available in earlier versions. Now users can integrate their existing systems with the Circuit for Teams API for end-to-end automation of delivery operations, including data import and optimization & distribution of routes and drivers.
• Stop markers on the maps have been simplified.
• New delivery analytics reports allow users to take a deeper dive into their data to analyze delivery costs and performance metrics, and to gain valuable insights across a number of factors: from the most common reason for failed deliveries to monitoring the percentage of late stops to tracking the average cost per delivery over time.

One of the only downsides to Circuit’s free route planner app is that it only lets you add ten stops which likely won’t be enough for many businesses.

• Assign time constraints to certain locations
• Prioritize the stops you need to get to first
• Optimizes your stops to create the best route
• It only allows you to add 10 stops

Circuit is a great tool for businesses, big or small, seeking to streamline delivery routes with 10 stops or less.

10. Mappr – Best for Delivery Routes

Formerly known as Flightmap, Mappr is an impressive online route planner that’s perfect for sales and delivery professionals. What’s unique about this tool is that it optimizes routes based on your vehicle’s size, speed, and volume. This makes it perfect for companies with different vehicle types.

This delivery route planner app is free for up to 200 stops per month per vehicle for two vehicles. While that might seem like a lot, if you’re delivering every business day, it works out to about 18 stops per day split between two vehicles. While not a ton, that’s still more than most apps.

For an extra charge, Mappr integrates with Tookan, a popular delivery management solution. So, if you’re already using that service, this might be a good choice for you.

Mappr also offers a number of sharing options, including exporting to a spreadsheet, sending your map in an email, or using a shareable link.

• Optimizes routes based on vehicle type.
• Integrates with Tookan
• Plenty of sharing options
• Only about 9 stops per day per vehicle, which won’t be enough for most businesses
• No downloadable app

Ideal for delivery services that need to optimize routes with frequent stops and tight delivery windows.

11. Komoot   – Best for Outdoor Activities

Komoot is a popular route planner and navigation app that’s designed specifically for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and running. 

It allows users to plan their route based on their preferred activity and fitness level and offers a variety of map types, including topographical and satellite maps, that people can use to customize their route based on factors like distance, elevation, and surface type.

Though voice guidance and offline maps are paid features, Komoot’s free version offers turn-by-turn navigation that makes it easy to follow directions while on the go while also giving users access to its large database of popular hiking and biking trails, scenic views, and other outdoor attractions.

And for outdoor enthusiasts who want to plan excursions that go beyond day trips, Komoot also allows users to plan multi-day tours, complete with overnight accommodations and points of interest along the way.

In 2023, Komoot made a lot of updates and released new features that make the app even more powerful and user-friendly:

• Route planner enhancements improved their map display which makes their interface much cleaner, significantly improving overall readability and clarity. 
• Advanced surface analysis lets users gain deeper insights into their route’s terrain, including detailed information about surface types, waypoints, and elevation changes.
• Precise distance and elevation data help users better gauge their physical effort.
• The new “Suggest” functionality can recommend suitable routes based on chosen sport, desired distance or duration, and even public transport accessibility.
• The new “Round Trip” option lets users create circular routes, which ideal for exploring new areas without getting lost.
• The app’s offline functionality was also improved to make sure users can access maps and navigation even in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.

Komoot has announced a lot of new exciting features and updates for 2024:

• Group Tours Feature : Launched on March 27th, 2024, this new feature enables users to easily plan and share social adventures with others. Group simplifies the organization and navigation of rides for friends and groups.
• Partnership with HomeToGo : Komoot announced a strategic partnership with vacation rental platform HomeToGo in early April 2024. This collaboration is expected to facilitate travelers in planning outdoor activities and finding suitable accommodations along their routes.
• Incremental Improvements to Mobile App : Komoot regularly updates its iOS and Android apps to address bugs, enhance performance, and introduce new features. The latest versions, rolled out in early 2024, focused on delivering a smoother user experience. 

Though first-time users will find themselves facing a bit of a learning curve, the app has gained a strong community of users who share their favorite routes, making it easy to discover new places and activities. However, it’s worth noting that users have reported ongoing frustration with Komoot’s routing algorithms occasionally favoring gravel paths over paved roads for road cycling routes, a concern that persists into 2024.

One of Komoot’s particularly useful and community-oriented features includes tracking activity data, including distance, elevation, and speed and can sync with other fitness tracking apps like Garmin, Strava, and Apple Health.

• Customizable routes
• Turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance
• Large database of points of interest
• Plan multi-day tours
• A strong community of users
• Premium features require a subscription
• Learning curve

Focuses on outdoor navigation, great for cyclists, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Available on: PC, Mac, iOS, Android 

Where Free Solutions Fall Short

Free route planning tools are great for small businesses on a budget, but you’ll likely realize that you’ll need a more robust solution once you start to grow.

Here are a few drawbacks of free solutions:

• Most only let you add 10 – 20 stops
• Not all of them optimize the order of your stops
• You can only plan one route at a time

If you have a large fleet that makes many stops per day, these limitations will greatly reduce your efficiency. If you have the budget, we highly recommend looking into an affordable paid tool like Maptive .

Plan Routes Quicker and Easier with Maptive

Maptive is a mapping software platform that includes a sophisticated route planner and optimizer. It’s built using Google Maps API, which gives you access to their industry-leading technology, along with many additional features that the free Google maps tool doesn’t provide.

Here’s why Maptive is the superior choice for route planning:

• Add an unlimited number of stops to your routes
• Automatically reorder your stops to create the most efficient route
• Plan multiple routes at once
• Upload all your locations within seconds from a spreadsheet
• Maptive is cloud-based so that drivers can access their routes from anywhere on any device.

Try Maptive Today

Sign up for a free trial of Maptive to start creating better routes for yourself and your team.

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Privacy overview.

Are you looking to embark on your next adventure but feeling a bit daunted by the planning process? With seemingly endless destinations, flight deals and accommodation options, having efficient and user-friendly travel planning tools can really help take the stress out of organising your trip.

That's where a travel planning app comes in handy, offering convenience, organisation, and peace of mind. Let's explore some of the best travel planning apps that won't cost you a thing.

1. Wanderlog

Wanderlog stands out as a comprehensive free trip planner app, ideal for organising road trips and group travel. Its user-friendly interface allows you to create customised itineraries, manage reservations, and collaborate with friends in real-time. With features like precreated trips and offline access, Wanderlog aims to help you enjoy a seamless travel planning experience.

Kayak is an all-in-one travel planner app that offers extensive search capabilities for flights, hotels, and rental cars. With features like luggage measurement and airport details, the aim of Kayak is to simplify trip planning. Whether you prefer flying, driving, or taking the train, Kayak provides travel options tailored to your preferences.

3. Roadtrippers

For those seeking road travel experiences during international adventures, the Roadtrippers app is a helpful tool. The app allows you to discover the coolest stops along your route by setting your start and end points and specifying how far off the path you're willing to venture. On top of that, you can use the app to plan your itinerary, estimate petrol prices and find and book hotels and tours. Plus, you can read reviews from fellow road trippers and save favourite places for future reference.

4. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is a widely recognised free travel planner app that offers extensive features to improve your trip planning experience. Beyond just building itineraries, it provides valuable travel recommendations and efficient trip management tools. Users can explore top attractions worldwide and access insightful reviews from other travellers. With its comprehensive database and user-friendly interface, TripAdvisor aims to make the process of discovering new destinations and making informed travel decisions much easier.

5. Sygic Travel

The free version of Sygic Travel offers advanced trip planning features, allowing users to create detailed itineraries and access offline maps. Featuring 360-degree videos, Sygic Travel provides comprehensive destination insights into over 50 million places. Its powerful search filters and collaborative city guides help you create personalised and well-structured travel plans.

Enjoy seamless travel with Vodafone’s international roaming services

Take your travel planning to the next level with our international roaming services, allowing you to stay connected no matter where you are in the world. Discover more about international roaming options with Vodafone and embark on your next adventure worry-free. In need of more travel tips? Check out our blog on the best travel apps to make your next getaway your most memorable yet.

$5 Roaming Countries and eligible partner airlines are subject to change, see current list and full details here . Available to eligible customers, see terms for details specific to your plan. $5 Daily Charge is in addition to minimum monthly spend and allows use of your plan inclusions in Eligible Countries for $5 per day. $5 Roaming is also available in-flight on eligible partner airlines. Only your included data allowance can be accessed while $5 Roaming. Data capped at speeds up to 1.5, 2, 10 or 25Mbps is not accessible while $5 Roaming. Once your included data is exhausted, additional data will be automatically added at a charge of $5/GB ($0.005/MB) (“Additional Roaming Data”). Additional Roaming Data expires at the end of your next billing period, is shareable (excludes plans with unlimited data which do not share data) and can only be used while in $5 Roaming countries. Max 90 days of use in any calendar year. Opt-out at any time, visit My Vodafone or call 1555. All roaming services are subject to network availability.

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