Wherever your journey takes you, these apps will make getting from A to B easier
Love it or hate it, driving is an essential part of everyday life. Whether you're embarking on an epic road trip or simply popping to the shops, anything that makes your trip go just that bit more smoothly has got to be worth considering, right?
There are so many smartphone apps available nowadays, working out which ones are best suited to your regular road usage can be taxing. So we've rounded up five of the best, that will make journeys of any length a doddle.
1. Waze. Available on Android/IOS. Free
As navigation apps go, Waze is one of the most interactive available - and you don't have to take our word for it - just ask the 100 million plus users worldwide! The app has been around since 2008 but it's popularity has gained traction since Google bought it out in 2013.
Whilst it's primary function is, of course, to get you to your destination as quickly as possible, Waze offers a much more comprehensive navigation experience than just getting you from A to B. In addition to live traffic updates, you can expect alerts to road closures, construction traffic, potholes, speed cameras and even police patrols.
The platform is community driven and essentially it collects data from you whenever you are using it. By doing so, it can provide updates to users much more quickly than less intuitive apps. Consequently, you'll get much more from it if you drive in an area that has a lot of Waze users.
The concept of crowdsourcing information isn't anywhere near as intrusive as it sounds and you stand to benefit from real time updates that could shave minutes off your journey. Users' data is continually collected and the app rewards you with a loyalty points system - which can then be converted into prizes.
The only thing to be wary of is that the app requires internet and GPS to run - so it's probably not the best for navigating your way through back lanes and internet black spots!
2. Just Park. Available on Android/IOS. Free
Finding a parking space can be endlessly tiresome - especially if you're driving in an area you don't know very well or at a particularly busy time of year. So imagine how handy it would be if there was an app that could find AND book you a space before you've even set off.
Step forward Just Park!
This clever little devil allows you to search for and pay for a parking space in app, giving you the choice of car parks, roadside parking and even private driveways.
Even better, it allows you to list your own private parking space or driveway and set a tariff - so you can earn a bit of extra money too, should you be so inclined.
3. Petrol Prices. Available of Android/IOS. Free
The self-titled 'Trip Advisor of petrol stations' Petrol Prices allows you to find nearby service stations and compare prices. The app's creators estimate that the average user saves in the region of £200 per year - which can only be a good thing, surely?
Users can search by postcode, location or town or even by brand to ensure that they are getting the most bang for their buck in terms of petrol and diesel refuelling. It also boasts a handy virtual 'garage' feature that will remind you of upcoming MOTs and services.
In a similar vein to Waze, users are encouraged to report prices and interact with the app by way of a points system, which ensures the information is constantly updated.
4. Plugshare. Available on Android/IOS. Free
A bit like Petrol Prices but for EV drivers, Plugshare is the world's largest 'community' for electric vehicle owners and drivers. It allows you to connect with other owners, search for and list charging stations and leave reviews. Users can upload tips, comments and pictures relating to specific charging stations to help other drivers.
Plugshare lists more than 300,000 charging stations across the globe - a pretty comprehensive number as it goes - and over 4,200.000 user reviews.
The app allows users to list their private home charging stations too, leaving them in full control of the times and ways these can be accessed by motorists.
5. Spotify. Available on Android/IOS. Free with ads
In our humble opinions, no drive should take place without a playlist. A good soundtrack can make all the difference to your journey. Stuck in traffic? Crank up the volume and banish the blues. If you're travelling with passengers, get everyone to list their favourite songs and make a specific compilation. Not only will everyone get a chance at hearing their top hits but you'll hopefully all be introduced to some new music AND you'll have a musical memento of your trip to boot.
There are myriad music apps out there and they all have unique features, so it really comes down to personal preference. However, for us, Spotify is the most user friendly and comprehensive. With over 406 million monthly users worldwide and a massive 82 million songs available, it's safe to say you'll never be short of music.
Spotify is available as a free streaming service or you can opt for a paid monthly membership, which allows you to access more services and gets rid of the pesky ads.
If you don't mind the odd ad break, free membership gives you access to an extensive range of music but you are limited to 6 track skips per hour - not ideal if you aren't in the mood for certain songs. It is also worth noting that in the free version of the app, you can select albums and playlists to listen to but you can't select specific songs - which is frustrating if you've got a nagging ear-worm. For people who expect to travel and listen a lot, premium membership affords you the luxury of downloading songs and playlists to listen offline but free Spotify doesn't.
Again, it's really down to personal preference but, a word to the wise, if a long drive is on the cards, you may want to consider membership because trust us, those ads can get very irritating, very quickly!