Are you planning to hit the road soon? Whether you’re going for a long drive, a weekend getaway, or a cross-country adventure, you’ll need some apps to make your journey more enjoyable and hassle-free. With Android Auto, you can access your favorite apps on your car’s display, using voice commands or touch controls. You can listen to music, podcasts, or radio, get directions and traffic updates, find nearby charging stations, and more.
But with so many apps available, how do you choose the best ones for your needs? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this article, I’ll show you the 10 best Android Auto apps of 2024 that you should download before you hit the road. These apps will help you have a safer, smoother, and more fun driving experience.
What Types of Android Auto Apps Do You Need on the Road?
Before we dive into the list of the best Android Auto apps, let’s first talk about what kind of apps you need on the road. Depending on your preferences and purposes, you might want to have apps that can help you with:
Navigation:
You’ll need an app that can guide you to your destination, show you the best routes, and alert you of any traffic jams, accidents, or road closures.
Entertainment:
You’ll want an app that can keep you entertained and relaxed while driving, whether it’s music, podcasts, audiobooks, or radio.
Communication:
You’ll want an app that can let you stay in touch with your friends, family, or colleagues, without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.
Convenience:
You’ll want an app that can make your trip more convenient, such as finding nearby gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or attractions.
Safety:
You’ll want an app that can enhance your safety and security, such as monitoring your speed, alerting you of hazards, or contacting emergency services.
Of course, you don’t have to download all the apps that fall into these categories. You can choose the ones that suit your needs and preferences the most. But to help you narrow down your options, I’ve selected the 10 best Android Auto apps of 2024 that can cover most of these aspects. Here they are:
1. Waze
Waze is one of the most popular and trusted navigation apps in the world. It uses crowdsourced data from millions of drivers to provide you with real-time traffic information, road conditions, and alerts. You can also get turn-by-turn directions, voice guidance, speed limit warnings, and ETA calculations.
Waze also integrates with other apps, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Audible, so you can control your entertainment without leaving the app. Waze is a must-have app for any road trip, as it can help you avoid traffic, save time, and discover new places.
2. Google Maps
Google Maps is another great navigation app that works seamlessly with Android Auto. It offers accurate and reliable maps, directions, and traffic information for over 200 countries and territories. You can also use Google Maps to find nearby places, such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, or attractions, and see ratings, reviews, and photos.
Google Maps also has some features that Waze doesn’t, such as offline maps, street view, and satellite view. Google Maps is a versatile and comprehensive app that can help you explore the world with ease.
3. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is another music streaming service that works well with Android Auto. It offers over 70 million songs, as well as live performances, remixes, covers, and videos. You can use YouTube Music to listen to your favorite songs, albums, or artists, or explore new music based on your tastes and recommendations.
You can also access your YouTube playlists, likes, and uploads, and sync them with your music library. YouTube Music also has a premium subscription that lets you download your music, play it in the background, and remove ads.
YouTube Music is a great app for music fans, as it can give you access to a wide range of music and content.
4. Spotify
Spotify is the most popular music streaming service in the world, with over 70 million songs, podcasts, and playlists to choose from. You can use Spotify to listen to your favorite artists, genres, or moods, or discover new music based on your preferences and listening history.
You can also create your own playlists, follow other users, and share your music with your friends. Spotify also offers offline listening, so you can download your music and play it without an internet connection. Spotify is the ultimate app for music lovers, as it can provide you with endless entertainment and personalization.
5. ChargePoint
If you’re driving an electric vehicle, you’ll need an app that can help you find and access charging stations along your route. ChargePoint is the world’s largest and most open EV charging network, with over 100,000 charging spots across North America and Europe.
You can use ChargePoint to locate, reserve, and pay for charging, as well as track your charging status, history, and costs. ChargePoint also integrates with Google Maps, so you can see the availability and price of charging stations on the map. ChargePoint is an essential app for EV drivers, as it can help you save money, reduce range anxiety, and support the environment.
6. TuneIn Radio
TuneIn Radio is an app that lets you listen to live radio from over 100,000 stations around the world. You can use TuneIn Radio to listen to your favorite genres, such as music, sports, news, or talk, or browse by location, language, or topic.
You can also access podcasts, audiobooks, and live events, such as concerts, games, or festivals. TuneIn Radio is a versatile app for radio lovers, as it can offer you a variety of content and entertainment.
7. Scanner Radio – Police Scanner
Scanner Radio is an app that lets you listen to live audio from over 7,000 police, fire, EMS, and other radio scanners around the world. You can use Scanner Radio to tune in to your local scanners, or browse by location, genre, or source. You can also get notifications when a scanner has a lot of listeners, indicating a major event or breaking news.
Scanner Radio is a fascinating app for curious and adventurous drivers, as it can give you a glimpse into the action and drama happening around you.
8. Audible
Audible is an app that lets you listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and original audio shows from a library of over 200,000 titles. You can use Audible to listen to your favorite genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, romance, or thriller, or browse by categories, such as bestsellers, new releases, or editor’s picks.
You can also access exclusive content, such as Audible Originals, Audible Theater, and Audible Channels. Audible is a wonderful app for book lovers, as it can help you enjoy your favorite stories and discover new ones.
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9. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an app that lets you communicate with your friends, family, or colleagues using text, voice, or video messages. You can use WhatsApp to send and receive messages, photos, videos, documents, or stickers, or make and receive voice or video calls.
You can also create group chats, broadcast messages, or use end-to-end encryption for extra security. WhatsApp is a convenient app for drivers, as it can help you stay in touch with your contacts without distracting you from the road.
10. Google Assistant
Google Assistant is an app that lets you use your voice to control your phone, car, and other smart devices. You can use Google Assistant to ask questions, get information, set reminders, make appointments, send messages, play games, and more.
You can also use Google Assistant to interact with other apps, such as Google Maps, Spotify, or Waze, using voice commands or gestures. Google Assistant is a powerful app for drivers, as it can help you do more with less effort and hassle.
Final Thoughts
These are the 10 best Android Auto apps of 2024 that you should download before you hit the road. These apps will help you have a safer, smoother, and more fun driving experience. Whether you need navigation, entertainment, communication, convenience, or safety, these apps have you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone, download these apps, and get ready for your next road trip. You won’t regret it.