Smartphone apps have made everyday tasks easier than we ever imagined. When it comes to driving, though, did you know there are several driving apps that can help you navigate your next road trip? Trust us: once you download these helpful driving apps, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

GasBuddy

A free mobile app for both iPhone and Android, GasBuddy helps you locate the least expensive gas station nearby. The app displays the 10 closest gas stations as well as their prices, helping you keep your road trip on budget. GasBuddy features an extensive database which essentially includes every station in the United States, and with plans to add other fuel-station conveniences to the app such as car washes, it’s simply a must-have for every cost-conscious driver.

DriveSafe.ly

Another free app, DriveSafe.ly aims to stop distracted driving by reading your text messages for you. When you download this innovative app for Android or Blackberry, you hear any incoming text messages, Facebook messages, Twitter updates, emails, or Google text messages read aloud in real time, eliminating the urge to grab your phone every time you hear the ding. The app is also lightweight, so it doesn’t drain your phone’s battery life or slow it down.

Max Speed

Available for iPhone, Max Speed is a GPS app designed to log your fastest speed, distance, and elapsed time, which really comes in handy if you have a teen driver in the family. The app’s internal accelerometer logs a car’s speed and location every few minutes, allowing you to monitor your child’s driving habits. It can also be set up to notify you if your teen has driven outside of a preset location perimeter.

MMGuardian

A parental control app for both Android and iPhone users, MMGuardian is a must-have for families with teen drivers. The app can block out a number of features on any phone, including text messages and phone calls. It can even lock the phone completely during a set schedule, freeing your teen driver from distractions. The award-winning app isn’t free, but you can take advantage of a 14-day free trial to see if it’s a right fit.

RepairPal

RepairPal is a useful free tool that helps you stay informed about your car’s repair history. The app is designed to create repair expense estimates, post information regarding your car’s repair history, and offer suggestions as to where to get the best service in your vicinity, which comes in handy when you’re on a long trip away from your favorite service center. RepairPal is a handy way of keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance history, which can help you stay up-to-date on those essential routine services.

Find My Car

Who hasn’t lost their car in a parking lot once or twice? The Find My Car app for iPhone or Android is a simple concept that finds your car using GPS location services and internet connectivity. It even features augmented reality technology, so you’ll never lose your car again.

Give these apps a try to experience for yourself how helpful mobile technology can be when it comes to driving.

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