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25 Ultimate Road Trip Planner Apps To Have In 2025: Paid & Free

ByAbi

You guys know I love a road trip, and over the years, I’ve collected a bunch of the best road trip planner apps to help me with my journeys.

When I started taking road trips I was always a little worried about driving for long hours and in foreign countries. Not knowing the terrain, language or where to stop was overwhelming. Road signs got confusing and narrow, winding roads in GPS blind spots became my nemesis.

To ensure I felt “ready” I downloaded a ton of apps, some I hardly used, others I never did. But out of them, I found a handful that I love and use today. In this post, I’m sharing 25 of the best route planner apps which are amazing and help me feel fully prepared for the unexpected.

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In A Hurry? Best Road Trip Planner Apps

Best road trip planner apps for epic adventures.

I’ve listed the best apps for planning a road trip below, summarising each app and its best use. 

However, if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary:

top 5 road trip planner apps

🌟 My top pick >> Google Maps, Park4Night, All Trails, Wise and Spotify.

Navigation

Accommodation

Emergencies

Miscellaneous

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The Best Road Trip Planner Apps: Paid & Free

Navigation Apps To Plan A Road Trip

I’ve tried quite a few, but these are the best route planner apps for helping me navigate unknown territory. 

1. Google Maps

A screen shot of the Google Maps route planner apps

I absolutely love Google Maps and use it all the time. It’s my go-to route planner, itinerary planner and general driving map. It’s totally free and has useful tools to make planning a trip easier. 

One of my favourite features is the ability to save locations. I can easily create an itinerary of places to visit or things to do just by using the “save” button. It drops little pins on the map, which makes it so easy to visualise where everything is. 

I also like that I can organise my whole trip in one place and see how close things are to each other.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

2. Waze

Another great route planner is Waze. Ultimately, it’s a directional map app, and you’ll use it similarly to the one above. However, it uses the community to alert you of roadworks, accidents, speed cameras and diversions. There are also suggestions for rerouteing to avoid traffic and save time.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

3. Google Translate

Google Translate is a brilliant app for quick translations on the go. You can type, speak into it, or point the phone at signs or menus to instantly translate into the language you need. You can even download languages for offline use, which is super handy when you’re on the road and don’t have internet.

It’s been a lifesaver for road trips and general travelling. When I’m exploring new countries or driving through areas where the language isn’t my own, it helps me read the signs, understand menus, and communicate with locals easily. 

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

4. All Trails

A screenshot of the All Trails app for iphone (ios)

When I’m planning a road trip, I always have to include a few hikes in my itinerary. I’ll do this by searching on All Trails to find the best trails nearby.

The app is my go-to trail guide app; I use it all the time. It’s super easy to find trials all over the world, including popular hikes in nature and even in cities. The great thing is that all the trails are added and reviewed by a community and then verified by experts.

Price: Free (for full access to all features, you’ll need to create an account).
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

5. Wanderlog

Wanderlog is the perfect itinerary/route planner for all types of trips, including road trips. I use it sometimes to plan my trips, and I like that I can create a budget within the app. It’s easy to add in stops and explore places of interest near the destinations I plan to visit. 

It has a freeoption and paid tool to help plan out your road trip, I recommend Wanderlog. It’s fantastic for making sure I don’t miss out on any must-see spots.

Price: Free / Pro $39.99
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

6. Gaia GPS

Gaia GPS is another fantastic navigation app which is perfect for hikers and outdoor adventures. It’s filled with detailed maps to track hikes, plan trips, and mark spots like campsites or viewpoints along the way. 

I love that the maps can be used even when I’m offline. They are super helpful when I’m in a remote area with no signal.

Price: Free / Premium $59.90 / Outside+ $89.99
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

7.  Roadtrippers

One for those of you in the USA, this is a complete road trip planner app. I haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet, since it only works in the states, but I’ve read some great reviews. 

With Roadtrippers, you can create a route yourself or have the app do it for you; plan what to do, where to stay and what to eat. There’s a separate section for RVers, trip guides and the ability to sort popular destinations by category along the route is a great feature.

Price: 7-day free trial / Basic $35.99 / Pro $49.99 / Premium memberships $59.99
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

Good Apps For Road Trip Accommodation

Never get caught out on the road; use these helpful accommodation apps to make planning road trip stopovers super easy.

8. iOverlander

If you’re camping or overlanding in more remote areas, iOverlander is a must-have. We used it throughout West Africa to help us find accommodation such as cheap hotels, campsites and wild camping spots. There are other features such as road conditions, mechanic stops, shops and even water fill-ups along the route. 

It’s perfect for van life or road trips off the beaten path.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

9. Park4Night

A screenshot of Park4Night road trip planner apps

Similar to iOverlander, Park4Night is brilliant app for finding campsites, parking areas, and hidden gems for a quick stop within Europe and USA. By using the app prior to travelling, you can plan (or at least have an idea), on where to stay during any road trip.

When we were driving around Europe, particularly Italy and France, we used this app often to find free places to spend the night. It also lists official campsites, farm stays, and you can filter by amenities, making it super easy to find the perfect spot for a night on the road.

Price: Free / Pro $13.99
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

10. Campercontact

Campercontact is ideal for campervan travellers as it helps find motorhome sites, campsites and service points within Europe. There are reviews from fellow roadtrippers to help you choose a spot, and it’s super handy for planning overnight stops across Europe.

Although in its early stages of development, a great feature in the Pro version (which is very affordable) is the pre-made motorhome routes in popular European destinations. For example, there’s the “Typically British” route, which looks fun and covers 1,436 km over 20 days. 

Price: Free / Pro €1.99 per month or €9.99 per year
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

11. CamperGuru

Similar to the above, CamperGuru is another great app for finding the best campsites across Europe. The app highlights top-rated spots, making sure you can plan stops that are as epic as the road trip itself.

Price: 
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

12. Outdoorsy

For van life, Outdoorsy is an app where you can rent campervans from locals. It’s like Airbnb but for roadtrippers. I think it’s great for trying out different campervans or when you want a unique travel experience. 

The platform also features campervan resources, travel guides, and travel inspiration to help you plan your trip in more detail.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

13. Trusted Housesitters

This app is fantastic if you’re looking for a home away from home. You can stay in someone’s house for free in exchange for pet sitting. This is perfect for longer trips where you want to save on accommodation costs and spend longer periods on a specific destination.

Price: Membership starts at £99 per year.
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

14. Hotel Tonight

If you’re looking for last-minute hotel deals, Hotel Tonight is fantastic. You can book discounted rooms, which is perfect when you want a spontaneous stop without breaking the bank.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

Road Trip Planner Apps For Emergencies 

And by emergencies, I mean those unexpected moments that can throw a wrench in your road trip. 

15. Mylpg.eu

This app is perfect for those of you who are using LPG in your vehicles. We installed an underslung cylinder for our heating and cooker, which was easily filled up at the petrol stations. 

Mylpg helps find LPG stations across Europe. It’s handy when I need to track down fuel stops while driving through unfamiliar areas, and since the app is regularly updated, it’s usually pretty spot on.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

16. GasBuddy

GasBuddy is the USA equivalent of the above app and is brilliant for finding the cheapest fuel stops. It helps save money and avoid overpriced petrol stations, which is always a plus on long drives.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

17. Western Union

Great for emergencies or sending money to someone else while travelling, Western Union is set up to transfer funds worldwide quickly. This is convenient if you’re road-tripping in places where digital banking isn’t as accessible. 

When planning a road trip, it’s good to know where a handful of Western Unions are along your route. However, you’ll find locations are pretty common, especially in popular areas.

Price: Free (transfer fees apply)
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

18. Wise (Previously Transfer Wise)

A screenshot of the Wise money app

I love Wise. It’s a fantastic banking app for sending money internationally at great exchange rates. It’s perfect for travelling when I need to move money between currencies as I can open an account in the local currency and not have to pay foreign exchange rates. 

Another international banking app that works similarly is Revolut. I have both; however, I sway towards Wise when travelling. 

Price: Free (fees for transfers)
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

19. Airalo eSIM

Airalo provides eSIMs for mobile data, so you can stay connected wherever you are. 

I used Airalo loads during my last road trip. I was travelling in remote areas, and finding local SIM cards proved challenging until I reached larger towns. The app is perfect for emergency internet access on road trips across different countries.

If you know you’ll be in areas with low signal, I suggest pre-planning your data usage using Airalo. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to download the eSIM prior to travel, as you’ll need data to do so. Once you cross relevant borders, you can activate each eSIM.

Price: Data packages vary
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

Miscellaneous Road Trip Planner Apps Not To Miss

Good apps for road trips go beyond just navigation. These are the little extras that can make your journey more enjoyable.

20. Spotify

A screenshot of Spotify app

There’s no way I can even think about going on a road trip if I haven’t got a decent playlist. Driving along, listening to my favourite tunes and belting out lyrics is one of the most enjoyable parts of a road trip.

I’m a Spotify fan, but there is also Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Price: Free / Premium $9.99 per month
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

21. Shazam

It is one of the few on this list that doesn’t actually help plan a road trip, but it is nonetheless important. Travelling around foreign countries listening to the local radio and in cafes, you’re certainly going to come across songs you love. Shazam will instantly tell you the song title and artist. 

Save to your playlist and continue on.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

22. Drone Assist

If you‘re using a drone and love capturing shots on your road trips, Drone Assist is a necessity. The app helps you find out where it’s safe and legal to fly your drone so that you can get epic views without any worries.

Price: Free
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

23. Autio 

Autio adds a new level to road trips by sharing location-based stories as you drive. It gives you fun facts and local history about the spots you’re passing, making it feel like you’ve got your own personal tour guide.

Price: Free / Premium $29.99 per year
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

24. Eat With

For foodies, Eat With lets you connect with locals, offering home-cooked meals or food experiences. It’s a great way to try local cuisine and meet new people along the way.

Price: Free (costs vary per experience)
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

25. AccuWeather

The weather can make or break a road trip, so I always check AccuWeather to get the latest forecasts. It’s great for planning the day around the weather, especially if you’re planning outdoor activities during your road trip.

Price: Free / Premium $8.99 per year
Download it now on iOS | Download it now on Android

The Wrap: Best Road Trip Planner Apps

So, there you have it – 25 amazing apps to help you plan the ultimate road trip! 

I love these apps and they are great for sorting out your route and finding somewhere to stay, plus those little extras to make the trip more enjoyable. However, the 5 most important road trip planner apps are: Google Maps, Park4Night, All Trails, Wise and Spotify.

Hopefully, this list helps you feel more confident for your next road trip, especially when you’re heading into unfamiliar territory.

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Thanks for reading. If you have any questions shoot me a message.

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Abigail Dalton is the owner and creator behind I’m Going On An Adventure, a blog which helps travellers find unique destinations worldwide. She focuses on offbeat travel and road trips, giving first-hand experiences to help her readers plan their perfect trips and make the best memories. She also helps travellers plan their dream holidays with bespoke travel services where she creates fun-packed itineraries. When she isn't writing about her travels you'll find her on long country walks foraging for mushrooms or enjoying a cool fruity white under the sun, toes tucked in the sand.