Smartphone apps for family road trips
Traveling with children makes handling unexpected hurdles with ease a huge priority. Having the right affordable travel apps for your smartphone keeps you clutter-free and ready for anything. Here are some favorites for family road trips.
FOOD A free app called Meal Ticket lists restaurant deals being offered in your vacation vicinity. Search out two-for-one tacos, discounted appetizers and more to save money when dining out.
ENTERTAINMENT For less than $1, an app called Road Trip Bingo allows this classic car game to be played from a hand-held device without the clutter and risk of misplaced pencils. Players search for items like railroad crossings and stop signs to complete a virtual game board. When the need to stretch has reached critical mass, Roadside America provides support in the form of quirky attractions. For less than $3, you can download the version for your trip's geographical region. The app keeps you posted as to when you will be driving near that giant ball of twine or other roadside oddities.
SAVINGS Maintain on-the-road access to all of your loyalty card savings with My Card Star. It's a free application that lets you scan and store all of your loyalty reward cards digitally. You'll skip the extra wallet bulk and still reap the savings when restocking the art supplies at the nearest Staples.
LOGISTICS When kid-friendly restaurants and parks with playgrounds aren't easily located, a free app called Mom Maps provides relief. It locates such things as indoor play areas, museums and nearby parks to take the guesswork out of where to stop. When long highway stretches make restroom stops a mystery, Rest Area Finder is another free application you'll be glad to have in your travel arsenal. It displays the nearest rest area on a map along with your current location, making it easier to judge your arrival time.
