The Best Android Auto & Apple Carplay Apps

There’s an app for everything these days, so it’s no surprise that our phones have become an indispensable part of being on the road. Whether we’re navigating unfamiliar streets, listening to our favourite songs, or desperately searching for a parking spot, car apps can really make life easier. Here are 10 of the best apps for driving that can make your trips safer, less hassle, and more fun.

We all know we shouldn’t be distracted by messaging or browsing on our phones while we’re driving. Not only is it an obvious safety risk, improperly using your mobile phone while driving can also get you a significant fine. However, in today’s world there’s plenty of smartphone apps for car owners you can use safely. If you have a compatible Mitsubishi, you can also use our Smartphone link Display Audio which allows you to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay to connect your phone to your vehicle’s display. That way you can use apps, get directions, and make calls, all while staying focused on the road ahead. 

Best navigation apps for drivers

Google Maps

Google Maps is an easy to use app that is great at getting you to your destination. It provides audio and visual directions, traffic information, and will even tell you if the store you’re headed to is about to close. You can save maps for offline use or get advanced notifications about your regular trips. It also has useful options for driving toll-free routes only and the ability to change your route before you start driving.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Waze

Waze can also navigate you from place to place, but its strength is the amount of information it provides about the road. Waze uses community data to plot your path, letting you know about live traffic, road closures, construction delays, and even potholes. It’s also highly customizable if you like your directions delivered in a specific way.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

 

Best audio entertainment apps for drivers

Spotify

When it comes to keeping yourself entertained in the car, it’s hard to go past Spotify for the sheer amount of options the car app provides. Spotify now spans across music, podcast, and audiobooks, providing just so much to choose from. It also has features such as DJ that pick the music for you so you can stay focused on the road. The free version does have ads that can interrupt your listening so keep that in mind.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Audible

Audible’s main features is audiobooks, and it has incredible depth in its catalog. You can purchase audio books one at a time or get a monthly credit that you can put towards any book that interests you. The app features Car Mode which integrates with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and allows you to use audio commands to navigate through the book you are listening to. It also features dozens of podcasts, and an expanding range of Audible originals.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Drive.fm

Drive.fm has a very unique pitch – it claims to be the world’s first app that lets you safely play interactive audio content, hands free. The voice activated app has a range of games to play, including quiz show (general trivia), superfan showdown (movies), and tunetime (music and song recognition). You can play the app in the background so you can continue to have your navigation app open while you drive.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Best road trip apps for drivers

Roadtrippers

We’ve covered car apps that will get you from place to place, but what about an app that can even suggest where you should visit? Roadtrippers is a road trip app that helps you find the best stops along the way for any kind of adventure, from sights and attractions, to the best food, and unique activities and experiences. It’s fairly customizable, and can cut your search down to results that are relevant to you.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

PlugShare

If you drive an EV or PHEV, you know that you’re always keeping an eye out for places to charge, especially on a road trip. PlugShare is an indispensable electric vehicle app that helps you find nearby charging stations and check their type and availability. It can even tell you how much it costs to charge.  PlugShare is community sourced, so it can adapt quickly when things change.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Petrol Spy

Petrol prices can differ wildly from suburb to suburb, especially when you’re driving long-distance.  Petrol Spy gives you real-time fuel pricing across QLD, SA, NSW and WA. It can show you what type of petrol is available, along with the price and petrol station name, and even how rates compare to those over the week or month. For Apple users looking for a petrol price app outside these states, the app Petty provides similar information across every state.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Best parking apps for drivers

Parkopedia

Let’s face it – leaving home without a parking plan is a risky business, but having to scour the map ahead of time in search of spots is a real headache. Parkopedia does that for you, instantly displaying different parking options in the area you are viewing, along with their price points. The app is super easy to search and also tells you maximum parking time and closing and opening hours. 

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Parkhound

If you prefer to secure a parking spot ahead of time, then parkhound may be the car app you’re looking for. The app lets you find, book, and pay for parking in advance, and even view pictures of the parking spot you’re booking. It caters for both short-term and long-term bookings, and different size and access needs. Parkhound has more than 50,000 locations across Australia to choose from, so it’s easy to find a spot in the area you need.

Available for download: Google Play Store, Apple App Store

Want to see how Mitsubishi’s Smartphone link Display can use Android Auto or Apple Carplay to bring your phone apps to life on an easy to use screen? Find a dealer, and take a Mitsubishi for a test drive today.