Key Takeaways
- Google Maps: Navigate efficiently with speed signs in unfamiliar places.
- Deezer: User-friendly interface that lets you search for music and podcasts by voice.
- Audible: A slick, well-run audiobook app with a subscription paywall.
If you’re like me and spend a lot of time in your car, you’re probably on your phone a lot. Navigation Music. Thousands of compatibleAndroid Auto Listen to audiobooks, Podcasts There are lots of ways to pass the time on a road trip. Here are some great ways to fill your time on your next road trip.
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1 Google Maps
Navigate using GPS
The clear and easy choice here is Google MapsI know there are good alternatives like Waze, which is a great navigation app in its own right, but Google Maps always seems to get me to my destination faster.
Speed Signs is a great way to map out stop signs and traffic lights while driving. However, make sure to check all signs while driving, especially if you’re on unfamiliar roads. Another benefit is that Google Maps is built into Android, so you don’t need to install a separate app to do the same thing. Plus, Google is heavily invested in the success of Maps, so regular updates are guaranteed.
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2 Deezer
Music on the go
Yes, a music app that isn’t Spotify, can you believe it? Deezer It’s a great interface for driving; it minimizes screen taps and keeps your eyes on the road. Deezer is also great at finding music and podcasts using just your voice, something I wish worked better while driving. There’s not much you can’t find in the Deezer app, but I mostly listen to 90s hip-hop, jazz, and first wave music, so I’m not looking for anything too left of center. You won’t find any exclusive podcasts that are only available on Spotify, but you can find most of the stuff I like, like The Deep House Cat Podcast.
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3 SiriusXM
Live Radio and Talk
If you have a subscription, SiriusXM is also a good choice, with great app UX and two of Howard Stern’s stations.
Plus, this is the only way to listen to live Premier League football on Sirius FC stations in the US (though in some parts of the world, including the US, it’s soccer).
4 audible
Books for your ears
Amazon has done a great job with the Android Auto version of their audiobook app. The software is polished, runs very smoothly, and has a great user interface. We recommend purchasing the audiobooks you want to listen to before you start driving.
I’ve listened to quite a few books on long drives, and Audible is a great way to enjoy a novel or non-fiction book while you’re on the road. You’ll have to get through a two-tiered subscription paywall, but for anyone who regularly spends time in the car, it’s well worth it.
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5 Furio
Manage your car expenses
Gas prices, and car prices in general, have risen significantly over the last five years or so, and no one wants to pay more than they have to. Furio Coming in.
Fuelio is designed to help you monitor your car’s mileage, fuel consumption, maintenance, and other expenses. You can track maintenance records, fuel fill-ups, consumption rates, mileage, expenses, and fuel prices. Additionally, you can use Fuelio to plan a road trip and the app will tell you where to stop along a particular route.
Connect to Android Auto and you’ll know when and where to refuel. Log that information in the app and you’re ready to go. Note that the Fuelio app works best in conjunction with the Sygic GPS navigation app.
You can get as detailed as you want, which is great if you’re a small business owner who wants to record your car trips, or maybe you’re like me and just want to track expenses.
6 Reminders
don’t forget
An often overlooked feature within Android Auto is the Reminders app, which comes pre-installed on Android so you don’t have to search for it in the Google Play Store.
As the name suggests, this is a simple app for jotting down any thoughts that come to mind — and there were plenty that came to mind — and the notes and reminders can be played back at a later date, so you can recall the information you saved while driving.
It’s great for storing information like license plates from cars involved in traffic accidents, and of course, it can also be used for things like grocery shopping lists.
7 Scanner Radio
Emergency on Earth
Scanner Radio allows you to listen to most police and emergency service radio stations. If there’s a wildfire, shooting, or other emergency near you, you’ll be alerted and given the option to listen. There’s also a handy feature that lets you set the number of active listeners for a particular station before you’re notified. I live in a rural area, so real-time local news is useful, especially news about wildfires.
