GPS Apps For Summer Travelers

Summer brings the opportunity for adventures, road trips and memories that will last a lifetime, but there is one thing in between you and your destination: Traffic. With vacation mode in full throttle the last thing you want to worry about is being stuck in traffic, getting lost or receiving a ticket for speeding with your travel trailer in tow! While we are not advocating that you play with your new GPS app while driving, we know you will love the features it offers. Buckle up! We have a few GPS apps for you to try in this test drive.

Google Maps

The classic. This GPS app is the most popular navigation app and here’s why! Due to Google Maps’ incredible data and its ability to be detail-specific, Google Maps offers clear and concise directions. If you log into the Google Map app you will notice that buildings and houses are all outlined. The small details make the biggest difference, especially when you are in a little Texas town with just a Dairy Queen and a tumble weed. Not only does Google Maps give clear directions, the app also alerts you of faster routes, accidents and road closures up ahead. Based on your information, you can change your routes or take a detour to skip heavy traffic without getting lost. If you are like me, switching lanes right before the turn is an anxiety attack, not a thrill so you will love the feature that lets you know which lane you should be in to best prepare you for your upcoming turn.

Apple Maps

If you’re like me, you just use whatever GPS app is already installed in your phone. While Apple maps is simply the app that is already downloaded on your phone, that doesn’t mean its not the navigation app to use! As of June 2019, Apple has been working nonstop on creating a more detailed map for iPhone users. New features that are already updated on Apple maps includes: Favorite destinations and frequently visited addresses. Apple is promising iPhone users the ability to adds photos to favorite destinations and provide a “look around” feature that allows users to see a 3D view of a place on a map by the end of 2019.

Waze

If you haven’t heard of this GPS app yet, don’t worry. Waze is practically a social network, but don’t panic, users simply notify others on accidents, alternative routes, road closures and police sightings. The Waze app is actually owned by Google so you can rest assure that the quality of your directions is still extremely high. Because Waze is operated completely different compared to Google Maps and Apple Maps, you are notified when you’re speeding, where police officers are and it even lets you record your own voice for certain commands. Waze almost perfects navigation maps within city limits due to its quick alerts, but you might end up taking roads through residential neighborhoods to avoid bad traffic. On top of the alerts, Waze offers you a map of the parking lots around your destination. This gives passengers the chance to view the parking options and decide before driving in circles to find the perfect parking spot!

Here WeGo (Here Maps)

This could be one of the simplest navigation apps for Android users. Unlike Google Maps, Here WeGo offers offline use and even lets you download the map of an entire country. This navigation app is golden for RVers that want to get off the grid, but aren’t familiar with their new location. The directions are precise, detailed and offers live traffic updates. For folks going up north and thinking about trying taxies, buses or the subway, Here WeGo offers real time estimates on public transportation options along with comparing the prices for each ride. While this navigation app might not be super familiar to you, you should definitely think about trying it out, especially if you have a Samsung phone.

BackCountry Navigator

This one is for the hikers. If you are a frequent hiker this is the navigation map for you! The options are limitless with thousand of offline topographical maps, however, this app is not completely free. You can give the app a shot without having to pay for all the features. BackCountry allows hikers and nature lovers to save favorite spots, save markers and view different types of trails. Alongside these awesome features, this navigation app is ad-free so you won’t have to worry about ads popping up on your GPS while you are trying to enjoy nature and its beauty.

So wherever you go this summer, make sure you buckle up and drive undistracted with your fifth wheel in tow. Now you know of some quality navigation apps that will get you where you need to go in the fastest and safest time possible. Looking for an RV to tow across Texas this summer? Hurry to Howdy and we will get you set up with the perfect RV for you and your family. Don’t forget we are located in Mathis off of I-37 and we are only a short driving distance from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Laredo, Rockport and Victoria.