10 Useful Smartphone Apps For Drivers
Modern cars are equipped with all kinds of bells and whistles to improve your driving experience, but you can make it even better with the right driving apps. Along with your auto insurance, driver assistance apps can be some of the most helpful tools for keeping your ride safe and stress-free.
If you have the right combination of tech tools on your phone, you can make every aspect of driving easier, from showing proof of insurance to finding gas stations to picking the best route. To help get you on the right track, here’s our list of the 10 best apps for drivers.
No.1 Navigator: Waze — The Community-Driven GPS
App-based navigation has completely changed the way people drive. Just pop in your destination, and your GPS will work its magic to find you the best route. However, not all navigation apps are the same. Waze, a free app available for iPhone and Android, is revolutionizing navigation with its community-based features.
Waze lets users submit traffic data, road conditions, and more, so you can get real-time updates on your trip. You’ll be able to find the fastest, most efficient route to make your commute a breeze.
Fuel-Finding Champions: GasBuddy & PetrolPrices
Nothing is more frustrating than running out of gas on the road. It can be especially stressful when your tank is on E, and there’s no gas station in sight. Luckily, apps like GasBuddy can help you plan your gas stops ahead of time or track down a nearby fuel station in a pinch.
Before you embark, you can use GasBuddy to search for gas prices along your route and find the cheapest options available, saving you serious money at the pump. If you live in the UK or are traveling abroad, PetrolPrices is another great option. It has features similar to those of GasBuddy, but it’s optimized for drivers across the UK area.
Music and Mindfulness on the Go: Spotify & Headspace
When you’re taking on a long commute, the right backing track can go a long way. Audio streaming apps like Spotify are great for playing your favorite album, jamming out to a personalized mix, or listening to your favorite podcast. You can curate your own playlists or listen to custom blends based on your listening habits. This can be a great way to stay awake and alert while you drive, as music and podcasts can stimulate your brain to keep you focused.
To get even more out of your daily drives, consider downloading Headspace. Headspace will lead you through guided meditation and mindfulness exercises, so you can turn your commute into a helpful, convenient wellness session. Plus, if you get stressed out behind the wheel, Headspace can help keep you centered, relaxed, and focused.
Keeping an Eye Out: Smart Dash Cam & Nexar AI Dash Cam
Other drivers can be unpredictable, which is why it’s always helpful to have a dash cam recording your surroundings. If you don’t have an external dash cam, try downloading an app like Smart Dash Cam, which connects to your phone. Smart Dash Cam takes video footage as you drive, then auto-loops it to capture potential collisions.
You can also install an external dash cam and install the Nexar AI Dash Cam for additional support. With a helpful parking mode, AI-supported crash detection, and automatic cloud backup, the Nexar app has everything you need to protect yourself on the road.
In Case of Emergency: Roadside Assistance & PlugShare
If you want an app to help with roadside assistance, check out Freeway’s Auto Club with its cheap subscription based services. You’ll get unlimited help when you need it most for a variety of issues, including towing, flat tire help, jump starts, fuel and more. An individual plan starts at $99 annually (or $15 monthly). The annual plan is $8.25, pennies per day.
If you have an electric vehicle, sometimes all you need is an extra charge to get back on the road. You can download PlugShare to find the closest EV charging stations in your area so you’ll never run out of power in the wrong place.
Car-Specific Apps from Your Manufacturer
Depending on the car you drive, you could also get a few extra perks by downloading the right app. Many manufacturers have special apps designed to help you avoid bad driving habits and improve your experience in their vehicles.
For example, BMW has the BMW Ultimate Drive app, which is designed to help BMW drivers find and share exciting, picturesque routes for their high-performance vehicles. The Nissan Leaf also has its own app, which you can use to adjust the A/C and other features directly through your phone. If you drive a car from a GM brand, such as a Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC, you can use their brand-specific apps to find where you parked your car, unlock your vehicle, and more.
These are just a few examples of car manufacturer apps. Do a quick search for your make and model to see if your manufacturer has a specialized app available for you.
The Most Important Thing to Have on the Road? Car Insurance from Freeway
From navigation apps to manufacturer-specific tools, there are plenty of ways to improve your drive with just a simple download. By loading your smartphone up with the right suite of tools, you can make sure you have everything you need when you get behind the wheel.
Although you can pick and choose which driving apps you want, there’s one thing every driver needs: car insurance. At Freeway Insurance, you can get insurance that gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Sign up today at your city’s Freeway Insurance office, over the phone at 800-777-5620, or online today.
