Americans spend an average of 101 minutes in the car daily. To make car rides easier — from finding the fastest route to getting traffic and weather alerts to sharing their location and ETA — drivers can download one of these 15 navigation apps to use whether they are driving locally or planning a road trip.
Apple Maps
This free app is preloaded on all iPhones and iPads. You can get directions based on leaving at your exact moment or on a specific time and date. Find different routes depending on whether or not you want to avoid highways, share your ETA, and even select how you’re getting there: driving, walking, transit, bicycle and ride share.
CoPilot GPS Navigation
While this navigation app isn’t free (it starts at $14.99 per year; some basic navigation features are free), it is customizable based on the type of vehicle you own, whether it’s a car, truck or RV. Offline maps mean you don’t need the internet or have to worry about interrupted service in dead zones. It gives the driver three alternative routes, 2D and 3D map views, portrait and landscape device view and so much more.
Gaia GPS
This app, which boasts free and premium versions beginning at $2.99 per month, features more than 300 maps, weather and terrain features, offline use and more. It is available for both iOS and Android users.
Google Maps
In 2022 alone, 9.12 million people in the United States downloaded Google Maps, making it one of the most popular navigation apps. It’s not surprising. With it, you’ll get real-time ETAs, automatic rerouting, details on traffic and it even works for different forms of transportation.
HERE WeGo
Designed specifically for city travel, this app for both Android and iOS allows users to download maps of cities in over 100 countries. With it, find tourist spots, ATMs, restaurants and other points of interest. In addition to real-time updates and turn-by-turn directions, HERE WeGo offers offline navigation.
Inroute Route Planner
Customize routes based on weather, elevation and more. Find hotels, gas, food and more along your route. Sync and share routes between devices and use turn-by-turn navigation on your iOS device or in the car. The basic plan is free and allows you to create routes with up to eight stops. The Pro Plan starts at $4.99 and creates routes with up to 150 stops, features weather charts, weather alerts and more.
Karta GPS Navigation & Traffic
Want a little more customization? Select your own navigation icon, including a sports car, spaceship or police car. Say goodbye to the standard navigation voice and replace it with something unique. Get detailed turn-by-turn driving instructions offline, too.
MAPS.ME
If you want to see the world and not get lost while doing it, download the MAPS.ME app. Here, you’ll find tourist guides and navigation that can be used offline. When online, you can share your location with friends.
Mapquest
The days of printing maps off Mapquest — the OG of navigation — are over. Through the Mapquest app, users can see traffic issues, get multiple routes, find the best gas prices and even search for and book hotel and dinner reservations.
OsmAnd
Find travel maps, offline navigation for driving, bicycling and walking, turn-by-turn voice guidance, speed and altitude display for bicycle and pedestrians and so much more.
Petal Maps
Petal Maps is available in over 160 countries. Through the app, users can get details on traffic conditions in real time, high-precision navigation, the ability to measure the distance between two places on a map, weather updates and more. Browse food and drink spots nearby, hotels or popular attractions, too.
Roadtrippers
Planning a road trip? This app is for you. It features trip guides, turn-by-turn directions with stops along the way, saved routes, offline maps and more.
Sygic GPS Navigation & Maps
Sygic, which is the first GPS app to partner with Ford, boasts many features including speed limit and speed camera warnings, up-to-date information on gas prices, places to find the best parking spots and traffic details. The basic version is free, but you can subscribe to Premium+ starting at $13.99 per month.
TomTom GO Navigation
Speed alerts, offline maps, safety camera alerts, live traffic alerts and weekly updated maps are just some of the features you’ll find in this app. Try a 7-day trial for free and then sign up for $4.99 for one month, $14.99 for 6 months or $24.99 for 12 months.
Waze
Fellow drivers share updates on traffic, accidents and even police sightings in this favorite navigation app. The more you use the app, the better it gets to know you and your travel habits — from destinations to hours you commute. Information is always up to date.
