Don’t be surprised if other travel trailer owners ask you the question “What apps are in your Travel Toolbox”?
There was a time when traveling across the country meant making sure you had a Rand McNally Road Atlas, or a AAA TripTik, and we used both. As I would drive Tammy would give me all the info I needed; how far to the next highway, next large town, where to turn, when to turn etc.. Having Tammy navigate was an essential part of the trip. To find gas stations you looked for billboards or read exit sign information and hoped you didn’t run out. There was no way to find wayside rest stops, you just needed to keep your eyes open.
Smart Phone Apps
Now there’s a much better way to navigate travel, namely Garmin and/or smart phone applications.
Navigation became so much easier when Garmin came along because now you were even told what lane to be in, something a map couldn’t tell you. Also you could search on other items nearby like gas, food, lodging, etc, just to name a few. The navigation apps available for smartphones are just as good as Garmin (like mapquest), sometimes even better.
There are many more smart phone apps available now beyond simple navigation that can make your life on the road so much easier.
Allstays (There are at least four allstays apps you should consider below)
Camp and RV – Search for campgrounds based on City and State. You can filter based on over 30 amenities. If your going to have only one campground APP this is the ones to have.
RV Dump – Find the location of your nearest dump station and if there is any fee.
Walmart Overnight Parking – Want to know where every Walmart is located and which ones have been reported to allow or don’t allow overnight parking? Then this is the App for you. Due to local laws and abuse about 1/7 of the Walmart locations no longer allow over-nighters, so make sure you call the manager before you decide to park in their lot.
Rest stops Plus – Ever wonder how far it is to the next wayside? You wont need to wonder anymore with this App, it will tell you just how far you need to go. It will also tell you if there is Wi-Fi, vending, a dump station, security, and if it is pet friendly. We’ve found traveling with the dogs that the Rest Stops Plus App is a must have.
Trip Advisor
Save yourself from experiencing a bad campground, excursion, or meal. View what others have said about the places you plan to visit. You can also use it to find highly rated items that you might enjoy. This is a must have App.
KOA (if this might be your campground of choice)
Make reservations on-line, check out what your campground looks like, and search for KOA campgrounds by location. This App also stores your reservation information as well as past stays.
My Radar
I love My Radar and trust it more than any other weather App. What’s better than actually seeing the storm? Knowing what you might drive into during tornado season is priceless. You can also set up alerts. If you don’t want this Ap make sure you find some weather alert application that will keep you and your family safe when your on the road.
Flashlight
Don’t get caught in the dark, most smart phone flashlights are great. You never know when you might need one.
My Pilot/Flying J
Maybe any old gas station will do when you’re traveling but if your rig is large, you may want to find a gas station where you can maneuver around the pumps. I’m not saying that this is the case at every Pilot or Flying J, but usually there’s more room. Find a Pilot or Flying J location as you travel, sign up for rewards, see how many parking spots are available etc. this can take a little stress out of your trip.
National Parks by Chimani
Discover, plan, and navigate your trip to National Parks across the U.S. You can pick your interests and get detailed information before you visit. There are so many options to choose from in this App you will not be disappointed. When you select a specific park you can download a detailed guide. Don’t find out later what you could have known upfront.
Most of these applications are free, and the ones that are not free are very inexpensive. If apps just aren’t for you it’s reassuring to know that the old standbys of maps and triptiks are still available.
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