Once you start using Android Auto, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it. It provides excellent functionality for connecting your Android phone to your car, making your trips more enjoyable. While Android Auto is fantastic for in-car entertainment, it’s also a valuable utility to enhance your driving experience.
All you need is the correct set of apps to make the most of Android Auto. With them, you can check the weather while on a drive, see when the next charging station is approaching, and estimate the cost of completing your trip. You’ll also get all the latest updates on what’s happening around you without being distracted.
Know the weather before the next stop
Checking the weather before hitting the gas is always a good step, but the weather keeps changing with every passing hour. Having a companion app that tracks the weather along the way lets me plan breaks accordingly, and MyRadar helps achieve that.
MyRadar shows real-time weather in the area near your current location, so you know what’s coming your way. If I notice that a significant change in weather is approaching, I take a quick break, make a U-turn, or adjust the route as needed. The downside of MyRadar is that you will need to purchase its premium subscription, which costs $30/Year.
Waze
From signs and stops to routes—everything on one map
For most Android Auto users, Google Maps is the default navigation app; however, I prefer Waze as an alternative. While Google Maps is excellent, it lacks some features that Waze offers, either due to a staged rollout or simply because they’re not available. This is why I chose Waze; it has some fantastic functionalities.
Waze displays all nearby EV charging stations, so when I’m out in my electric vehicle (EV), I can easily locate the next charging station on my route. Additionally, Waze alerts me to police sightings reported by other users along my path, which gives me peace of mind about the safety of the route I’m taking.
Fuelio
Everything about fuel in one app
Fuelio is not exactly part of Android Auto apps, but it is one of the apps that I must have when I am out driving. It tracks my car’s fuel expenses and consumption. Fuelio provides me with a close-to-accurate mileage reading for my vehicle. It helps me plan my trip and refueling breaks.
Fuelio can now even scan my fuel receipts, and I can add my trip route to estimate my overall fuel expense and consumption. What’s more is that Fuelio also supports multiple cars, so even if you are in a friend’s vehicle or have multiple vehicles, you can still make the most out of it.
Radio FM
Radio from all around the world
Sometimes I struggle to find the right playlist or podcast to binge on while driving. Sometimes it gets boring, and at other times, it can be monotonous. So I tuned into the radio. However, radio connectivity isn’t the best in all areas, and some stations are not worth listening to.
To tackle this, I installed the Radio FM app, which offers a vast collection of FM radio channels from various regions and languages. With this app, there’s no room for boredom! I can switch channels at any time, selecting from any available language and region. It even supports podcasts, so the burden of choosing the right music for my driving is no longer on my shoulders.
TuneIn
Live news, sports, or podcasts. It does it all
TuneIn is an online radio app, but it may not be the best choice for music and podcast streaming. So, why is it on my list of apps that make driving easier? The TuneIn app excels at providing live news and sports coverage.
While a free version is available that includes everything except Fox News updates, premium subscribers to TuneIn can enjoy personalized 24/7 news and music channels from Fox News Radio for a monthly fee of $9.99. With a premium subscription, you gain access to over 100,000 radio channels, commercial-free live news, commercial-free live music, and live sports commentary.
Overall, TuneIn is a valuable companion app that enhances your driving experience by delivering live news and sports commentary. It lets you stay connected to live updates in audio format, without needing to rely on your phone while on long drives.
Make your drive better and easier with the right apps
These apps significantly enhance the driving experience through Android Auto integrations for several reasons. Waze provides real-time information about charging stations, fuel stations, obstacles, and more, thanks to contributions from users. Apps like TuneIn and RadioFM keep in-car entertainment alive. Meanwhile, Fuelio and MyRadar help me plan my trips and schedule better breaks. Overall, these apps are effective and significantly improve the driving experience.
