Roadtrippers: App Review

BreakingModern — Planning a road trip of any significant distance in the United States, especially if you are trying to make it as interesting as possible, can be more difficult than you might imagine. Unless, of course, you are using the right tool for the job.

roadtrippers

For many frequent travelers, the Roadtrippers website is a great resource for planning the perfect road trip itinerary. But there is also a mobile Roadtrippers app available, giving you the power to make changes to your well-laid plans on the fly.

The Road Less Traveled

Roadtrippers is free to download for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS (apparently there isn’t a version for Windows Phone). The Android version requires a device running a fairly recent version of the operating system and will vary by device, so check Google Play for compatibility.

roadtrippers

As you might expect, the Roadtrippers mobile trip planner requires that you login. If you want to share your adventures with the world you can log in using Google+ or Facebook, but if sharing is not your preference you can opt to sign in with an email address.

The first time you login, you will have the option to view a tutorial outlining the app’s features. It is a good way to acquaint yourself with the benefits of Roadtrippers. The app’s interface is intuitive enough that you could skip the tutorial, if you want.

roadtrippers

I am reviewing the Android version of the Roadtrippers app on the Andy Emulator, so GPS is not functional in the screenshot. However, on your smartphone, the app would use GPS to pinpoint your location.

roadtrippers

For an example, I asked the app to plan a trip from my home in Louisville, Ky., to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. That’s right, I’m going to visit the King. The menu shows you the various points of interest you can have the app locate and mark for you along your route.

One of the popular destinations along the route from Louisville to Memphis is the National Corvette Museum located in Bowling Green, Ky. Roadtrippers provided me with some general information about the museum so I can make an informed decision on whether to make a stop on my way to Graceland.

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The National Corvette Museum is just one of many attractions and destinations along the route to Graceland. Using the app, you can plan your entire itinerary and save it to your smartphone. If you are a planner, this tool is your dream come true.

Caveat

There is one technical note I want to mention about the Roadtrippers mobile app. Because it includes a significant database of maps and locations, it requires a significant amount of memory. If your smartphone is stocked full of apps, you may have to move some around to make room.

On The Road

The road trip is practically an American institution. However, somehow, road trips often become adventures. Unexpected events like vehicle breakdowns, detours and other delays can create stories that last a lifetime. Some of my fondest childhood memories stem from the unexpected events that occurred on these trips.

Technical innovations like the smartphone haven’t removed the possibility of an unexpected event, but it has made them more manageable. In fact, with the Roadtrippers mobile app, you now have the power to plan your next adventure instead of relying on chaos and happenstance to plan it for you like Clark Griswold “National Lampoon’s Vacation”.

The Roadtrippers mobile app for Android shows how technology can make life better and is highly recommended for your next trip.

For BMod, I’m .

All Screenshots: Mark Kaelin

Mark Kaelin

Author: Mark Kaelin

Based in Louisville, KY., Mark W. Kaelin is a tech and gadget writer who also covers fine living for us here at BreakingModern.

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