Ah, summertime – a time when the days are the long, and beers are plenty. While some of us tend to stick around in our hometowns and hit up the beach or pool, sometimes we just need to get away.

The road trip is certainly a way to spend quality time with friends while also experiencing and discovering the landmarks and points of interest in all corners of the U.S. So, if you’re hitting the road this summer – whether it’s across the country or a few states over – make sure you have these iPhone (News - Alert) apps handy to keeping you and your companions occupied during your journey. 

GasBuddy: With gas prices these days, we need all the help we can get in not only finding the cheapest gas, but also the nearest gas station – so as to not waste gas trying to find the closest filler-upper. GasBuddy completes both these tasks, for free. As soon as you see the gas dial nearing E, whip out this app to search for the best gas prices near your location – no matter where you are traveling.

Rest Stops Plus: For those of you traveling long distances, you’re going to need a break, which is where this app comes in hand. For a worth-it $1.99, Rest Stops Plus pinpoints the nearest rest stops on a Google (News - Alert)-powered map so you, the driver, and your fellow travel mates can stop, take a break and stretch before getting back on the road.

Roadside America: You won’t let that alligator farm or wine vineyard pass you by on your way across the country with this app. For $2.99, the Roadside America app helps cross-country travelers find interesting and funny landmarks as they cross state lines. Using location data and a GPS, this app searches and recommends the most unique and crazy sites to make a pit stop at. While some sites may be up to 100 miles away, it’s sure to be well worth it if it’s on this app’s list.

Trivia Master: Before you start singing ‘99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall’ or playing the states license plate game, save yourself from boredom and a headache by downloading the Trivia Master app. For $2, players get access to more than 3,000 questions in nine categories. According to PCWorld, this app is simple and “well-produced,” which is all you need to keep you occupied on the long road ahead of you.

Music Car Control Player: What’s a road trip without music? Well, we can all imagine. So, before you hit the road, equip your trip with the Music Car Control Player app, which combines your favorite tunes with speed-based volume automation for the ultimate safe road trip experience. Rather than fumbling with your device, leave it up to your iPhone’s GPS to determine how loud or soft songs the tracks should be. Pair this app with the ultimate road trip playlist (‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ anyone?), and you’ll be singing all the way to your final destination.

As one road-trip-esque song we’ve all belted in the car at one point or another, goes -- “Summertime, and the livin’s easy.” So grab your friends, fill up the gas tank and upload these iPhone apps for the ultimate road trip experience.  

Until next time, safe travels!