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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Android Auto now goes beyond roads, helping you explore outdoors.
- Most of these apps offer offline use.
- Some off-road vehicles already have Android Auto built in.
Android Auto is a fantastic companion for your daily drive, but it can be surprisingly useful other times, too – like long road trips. And thanks to a recent rise in developer support, it’s even expanding beyond roadways.
There’s a growing catalog of Android Auto apps designed to help you navigate and explore outdoors. Whether you’re driving across the country in an RV, heading to national parks for some camping, driving off-road vehicles in a remote area, or just spending some time outside, Android Auto can help.
Also: 6 Android Auto apps I wish I found sooner, because they make every drive easier
Some of these apps are designed for RVs, others for 4-wheel vehicles, and others for off-road vehicles like ATVs. For the first two, most vehicles today have built-in screens. For the latter, a few ATVs come with factory-installed Android Auto screens, but aftermarket multimedia units are more common.
Here’s a look at my five favorite Android Auto apps for getting outside.
onX Offroad/Hunt
Essentially Google Maps for the off-road world, onX Offroad is your best option for exploring in your Jeep or ATV. It lists thousands of verified off-road trails along with difficulty ratings for each one, plus photos and reviews from real riders. The app lets you filter by vehicle (like 4×4, ATV, or dirt bike), and shows clear, color-coded boundaries between public and private land.
onX Hunt is similar, but designed for hunters. It lets you know exactly where you are and what you’re allowed to access on that land. It shows private land boundaries, landowner names in many areas, species layers, and offline maps, which are vitally important in the field.
National Park Service
The National Parks Service app is a must-have for exploring US national parks, offering interactive trail maps, self-guided tours, offline downloads of park information, and more. Much of the app’s information isn’t available through Android Auto, but even the subset that is available makes this one of the more unique offerings you’ll find.
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You can access audio tours for dozens of national parks that offer step-by-step navigation, including ranger-created tours pointing out interesting information.
RV Life
If you have an RV, the RV Life app is essential. It helps you figure out where to stay, how to get there safely, and what you need to know along the way. When you enter your vehicle’s dimensions for the first time, the app creates routes based on your rig’s height, weight, and length, avoiding low bridges and restricted roads along the way.
The app does require a subscription for Android Auto integration, but reviews say it’s worth the price.
Gaia GPS
Driving where cell service doesn’t reach? The Gaia GPS app is the best option for navigation in lesser-traveled areas such as Forest Service roads, Jeep trails, hiking routes, and remote trailheads. It has a large library of map layers, including USGS topographic maps, satellite imagery, and overlays such as recent wildfire activity and public land grids.
Also: 4 Android Auto apps I can always rely on for road trips – beyond Maps and Spotify
Android Auto compatibility lets you follow saved routes, view maps, track your position in real time, and access downloaded maps directly on your vehicle’s screen.
Spotify
This is one of the biggest names in streaming, but it’s on this list because it’s the best option for offline music, and the Android Auto interface is simple. Offline mode does require a premium subscription, but it lets you easily download music and podcasts for listening when you’re not connected.
Due to digital rights, Spotify does require you to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days, but as long as you’re not taking an extended trip offline, you’ll be good.