12 Driving Apps Every Driver Should Have 2024

Smartphones and other mobile devices are a staple in everyday life. Gone are the days when navigation meant paper maps and roadside assistance meant frantic flag-waving. Now, with a smartphone, you can download apps designed to make driving safer, smoother, and more enjoyable. Here are 12 essential driving apps every driver should have in 2024.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the most popular navigation app for drivers, cyclists, riders, and even pedestrians. Even in a new location, you can drive confidently. It can help you find hotels, gas stations, or landmarks, real-time traffic updates, the best route to your destination, and multi-stop trip planning. You can also share live locations to help friends or family track your movement. The interface is easy to use, so there is no excuse to get lost.

Google Maps is available on iOS and Android devices and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Therefore, it doesn't matter what car or device you have.

Android Auto

We all know the dangers of driving while on the phone. That's why Android Auto is a lifesaver. It brings apps to your car display so you can drive with minimal distractions. You can use voice commands, your car's touchscreen, or steering wheel buttons to control phone features like navigation, maps, text messages, calls, and music. Unfortunately, your vehicle must be compatible with Android Auto to use this app. However, even if it's not compatible, you can have it installed.

Find My Car

Have you ever forgotten where you parked your car? You are not alone. At least one in every seven drivers admits to forgetting where they parked. If this is a problem you have encountered, the Find My Car app is the solution. This app uses GPS location service to help you locate your car. All you have to do is tap the park button and set your parking by tapping OK. Once you want to find the car, open the app and follow the arrow.

Waze

Waze is very similar to Google Maps. In fact, both were created by Google. It's a navigation app, so you can use it to find directions or traffic information and see satellite images. The significant difference between the two is that Google Maps uses GPS and Google historical data to provide navigation. It includes road conditions and offers you other routes you could take. As for Waze, navigation is community-driven and often uses road conditions to reroute to help you reach your destination faster. It uses data provided by other motorists, like traffic jams and accidents.

GasBuddy

With high gas prices, motorists are looking for ways to save money on gas. GasBuddy can help by showing you gas prices at nearby gas stations so you can find the cheapest one. You can filter the results by brand, amenities, and payment methods. And when gas prices in your area change, they'll alert you.

Moreover, the app allows you to track your gas usage over time, see how much you spend on gas, and identify ways to save. You can join their reward program to earn points for reporting gas prices and making purchases through the app. You can then redeem your points for free gas or other rewards.

Parkopedia

Every driver knows the headache of searching for a parking spot, and it's much more difficult in a new city. However, with Parkopedia, you can find a parking space quickly and conveniently. It has a database of over 70 million parking spaces in over 89 countries. This includes information on each parking space's location, price, availability, and amenities.

The information is real-time, meaning you can book and pay in advance in some countries. The app allows you to compare prices of different parking options in your area to help you find the best deal.

PlugShare

PlugShare is a free app designed for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. It is a comprehensive resource to help them find charging stations, plan trips, connect with other EV owners, and contribute to the growing EV community. It is the world's largest charging station database, encompassing various networks, public locations, and even home stations shared by other users.

You can filter the search based on connector type, network, charging speed, availability, and real-time status updates. Additionally, check reviews by other drivers to gauge the reliability and amenities of each station. Plugshare is available on iOS, Android, and the web.

Roadside Assistance

A breakdown in the middle of nowhere is a driver's biggest nightmare. Being stranded alone on a deserted road for hours when on a road trip can be dangerous and frustrating. While you might be pretty prepared, vehicles always find a way to surprise you.

However, with the Roadside Assistance app, you are sure you won't be stranded. It connects drivers with roadside assistance services, like towing, jump starts, tire changes, and fuel delivery. This app can be a lifesaver in case of a breakdown or other car trouble, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area or don't have a roadside assistance plan.

SpotHero

If you want to find parking space easily but don't prefer Parkopedia, try SpotHero. This app will help you find, compare, and reserve parking in advance, primarily in major cities across North America. You'll have access to thousands of garages, lots, and even valet services. You can even book a parking space in advance. The app has a database of 8000 parking spots across 300 major cities in Canada and the U.S.

Spotify

Boredom can quickly kick in when driving alone for long distances. It can lead to drowsiness, which is a major cause of road accidents.

Luckily, with Spotify, you can listen to your favorite music or podcasts all the way to your destination. It is a music streaming service on various devices, including smartphones, computers, and in-car entertainment systems. You'll have access to millions of songs, podcasts, and audiobooks. You can create a playlist and even download it.

Nexar - AI Dash Cam

A dash cam helps you record anything that happens on the road. It's essential to have one because, among other things, it can help lower your auto insurance premium. While most new vehicles now have one installed, you may have to install one for older models.

Nexar is a connected dash cam app that utilizes your smartphone's camera and AI technology to help you while driving: it's like a driver's assistant. It goes beyond basic dash cam functionality to capture what is happening on the road. It senses and instantly alerts you when dangerous incidents occur, like hard brakes, sharp turns, and fast accelerations. The footage is automatically uploaded to your secure Nexar cloud.

MileIQ

MileIQ is a mileage-tracking and logging app. It automatically tracks your mileage while you drive. It runs in the background on your smartphone, using GPS to record your trips. Instead of manually logging your miles each trip, MileIQ does it for you, ensuring accuracy.

You'll get reports and insights into your driving habits, such as total miles driven, fuel costs, and average mileage per trip. Moreover, you can categorize trips as business or personal to keep track of your deductible miles.

Conclusion

There you have it: 12 essential driving apps every driver should have in 2024. These apps will help you navigate to your destinations and offer crucial information about your trips, earnings, and job opportunities. However, before downloading any app, check reviews to ensure it will add value to your driving experience.