Helpful driving companions for every trip

Driving is part of daily life, but are you using the right tools to make it easier? From avoiding traffic jams to understanding that check engine light, your phone can be the ultimate co-pilot. We’ve rounded up some essential apps to make every drive smoother and smarter.

Take the mystery out of that blinking check engine light. This app helps you read diagnostic codes and gives you a plain-English explanation of the issue, potentially saving a trip to the mechanic. You can also create a custom dashboard to watch live data or turn your phone into a heads-up display that projects your speed on the windshield.

Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. This app brings a simplified version of your phone to your car’s display, helping you stay focused. Use voice commands to ask Google to get directions, queue up a playlist, or reply to messages, all hands-free. Even without a built-in screen, the For Phone Screens mode provides the same driver-friendly experience right on your phone.

Never worry about losing your signal in a dead zone again. Download maps for entire regions to get full turn-by-turn navigation even when you're completely offline. You’ll also get helpful alerts for speed cameras and accidents ahead. Its smart routing actively works to guide you around traffic jams as they happen, ensuring you're on the best path.

Turn your drive into a money-saving opportunity. Find the cheapest gas prices near you with a real-time, crowd-sourced map. For even more savings, you can use the Pay with GasBuddy feature to get automatic discounts at the pump. Planning a long drive? Use the trip cost calculator to estimate your total fuel costs before you leave.

Outsmart traffic with a little help from your fellow drivers. Waze gives you a heads-up on what’s happening ahead with real-time alerts about police, accidents, and road hazards reported by the community. This live info means the app can automatically reroute you around a traffic jam, saving you time and frustration on your commute.