"Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road."

Jack Kerouac knew that freedom usually involves a vehicle of some kind. Today's travel plans can be just as spontaneous as generations past, but now, they can be safe, efficient, and probably more fun. Use today's technology to propel you into new lands with this list of apps we here at Mountain High just adore. Android or iPhone, plan your next great escape with these 7 best apps for road trips.

Click the app's title to view!

1. Allstays Camp & RV

Sometimes you get sleepy early, sometimes you wanna drive all night. With this app, you can stop whenever you want.

• Pros:  Search for nearby rest areas, campgrounds, RV parks, and overnight parking. Recent guest reviews and links to venue websites are provided for most stops. Other options like low clearance headways, retail stores, and public lands are available.

• Cons:  Not well-suited for people who can’t sleep in their vehicle or don’t feel safe sleeping at rest areas.  Since campgrounds are generally full by after-hours check-in, try to pinpoint a few campgrounds near your stopping point, and call by 6 or 7pm to verify vacancy.

2. Hipcamp

A dirtbag’s version of Airbnb, you'll find serene, private lands to pitch a tent, park an RV, glamp, or book a cabin at a fraction of the cost.

• Pros: Beautiful scenery without the crowds. Can select from a list of amenities like toilets, picnic tables, Wifi, and fire pits. Hosts sell the beauty of their property, not the size of their TV.
  
  
• Cons: Security is limited, as private land is farther away from populated areas. Be sure to book hosts with strong guest ratings.

3. Waze

The best navigation app.

• Pros: Drivers can drop icons on the map to alert others of police vehicles, traffic cameras, objects in road, and stalled vehicles. Waze provides more efficient and reliable routes than Google Maps or Apple Maps.
  
  
• Cons: It's difficult to zoom out on map for bird’s eye view of route. Advertisements take over the screen when your car stops at a light. Also, if you miss a turn, Waze reroutes you to the nearest sequence of right turns, instead of calculating a U-turn. To avoid adding minutes or hours to your drive, use voice narration, or keep track of any sudden changes to your arrival time.

4. Recreation.gov

 Access, edit, and make reservations at national and state parks in one easy app.

• Pros: Modern interface helps you discover new campgrounds. Nationally-linked database to organize your reservations. State and national parks are more secure to stay at, and better for those who prefer to schedule their stays in advance.

• Cons: Spots fill fast during peak season. Cancellation fees apply if you miscalculate your ETA and have to cancel.

5. onX : Hunt, Offroad, Backcountry

Like wandering out of bounds? Use one of onX’s apps to see delineations in property ownership.

• Pros: Boasts a 250-mile offline radius. See who owns the land you’re on to make sure you’re in the right place. Great backup tool for conventional maps. Highlights hiking trails, stops, and shelters. 

• Cons: Maps must be purchased, and can be expensive for maps of every state. Operates off longitude and latitude, lots of raw data. No real travel functionality if you wish to use it to get from A to B.

6. AllTrails

Plan your entire trip around your bucket list trails? Yes, please.

• Pros: Search for popular trails wherever you end up -- no need to research ahead of time, unless you want to. Search by city, park, or trail, read guest reviews, view photos,  download items for future reference when not in vacinity of Wifi. Offers feature-specific tags like Wheelchair friendly, Paved, Stroller friendly, Dog friendly, etc. Provides 4-day weather forecast. Track your progress with start/stop times, distance traveled, and speed, pace, and elevation.

• Cons: You must create an account to use features, which can be slightly annoying if you want quick access.

7. FarOut
(formally Guthook Guides)

Reliable offline maps for hikers, bikers, and paddlers.

• Pros: Find water, campsites, shelter, and more. Offers town guides for finding replenishment supplies and food. Data meticulously collected by users and business partners, so you know it's up to date. View current trail conditions, like closed sections and weather-beaten terrain. Create custom routes.

• Cons: Each map costs $15-$50. Given the resources needed to keep it going, we think it's a small price to pay for a curated exploration of nature's chaos.

Written by Lindsay McDuffie for Mountain High Outfitters

Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash