6 Travel Apps You’ll be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving travel season is upon us, and with it comes one of the busiest travel periods in the calendar year. Each year, millions of Americans take to the highways, train stations, and airports to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family. However, traveling to your destination is easier said than done. AAA reported that nearly 50 million people traveled for the holiday last year, with 2017 promising similar or even higher numbers.

The result is any traveler’s nightmare—long lines at airport security, congested traffic on roads, and higher rates of automobile collisions. Unfortunately for many, all the travel headaches come with the season, and there’s no way around a prolonged and arduous travel experience.

For that reason, we’ve decided to help you out by highlighting some of our favorite travel apps to get you through your pilgrimage this turkey day!

#1. Waze

Anyone traveling by automobile will likely need some sort of GPS service, whether it’s a part of your car’s entertainment features or on your phone. Instead of relying on shoddy and outdated services, opt instead for the hottest smartphone navigation app, Waze. Waze updates in real-time throughout your trip, alerting you to changes in traffic patterns and trip duration. If there’s an accident or an unexpected traffic jam, it will automatically re-route you to give you the fastest route available. With voiced turn-by-turn guidance and other traffic-related notifications, you’ll have the perfect tool to make Thanksgiving travel a breeze.

#2. Netflix

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but Netflix can seriously help you avoid boredom in the airport or in the backseat. Many are already familiar with the premise—watch thousands of TV shows, movies, and documentaries all from your phone to help pass the time. However, one of Netflix’s lesser known secrets is the ability to download certain titles to watch offline. Available on mobile devices through the app, you can download a few episodes of your favorite show to watch while you’re in the air, or plan ahead for a long car ride to ensure you don’t empty your monthly data allotment from your mobile provider.

#3. Amazon

Why wait for Black Friday to do your holiday shopping? Amazon’s shopping app lets you browse an endless number of products for those special someones in your life. Gather ideas through an interactive and adaptive interface and add to your cart as you go. Pair with with your Amazon Prime account, and your gifts could be at your doorstep when you get home! A great way to beat boredom and take your eyes off the clock, there’s no better way to pass the time than shopping!

#4. Audible

Hate traveling solo, especially if you’re driving? Is that podcast you’ve been listening to getting a little old? Another offering from Amazon can help with that. Audible entertains you by making your favorite books and stories available via audio. Kindle enthusiasts can even sync whatever they’re reading with Audible to pick up right where they left off, promising seamless consumption of some of the best-selling titles available. Perfect for any bibliophile, Audible can help make long car rides that much more tolerable.

#5. News in Slow

Sure, you made a resolution to learn that new language way back in January, but it’s not too late! News in Slow is an innovative way to help teach you new languages in the best way possible—by keeping you up-to-date on current events. Available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, this app reads you the latest news stories slowly enough for you to catch all the words and sounds. Why not spend all those hours on the road or in the sky acquiring a new skill?

#6. Spotify

If you haven’t made the jump to Spotify, now’s the time. Curate a master playlist for your trip by exploring all the music streaming service has to offer. Use the service for free to shuffle through millions of tracks in your favorite genres, or start a free trial of Spotify’s premium service to listen to select albums, skip as many songs as you want, and access other exclusive features. Spotify’s adaptive service also curates playlists based on your listening preferences. Check out the Discover Weekly playlist to find new music, or explore your Time Capsule playlist to reunite with some of your favorite songs from your youth.

Plan Ahead for Seamless Thanksgiving Travel

Though it can be one of the most hectic and chaotic times of the year, your Thanksgiving commute can be easier with one of these spectacular travel apps. If you’re still looking for a place to stay, or opting instead to celebrate Thanksgiving from afar, check out some of the last-minute deals right here on Resort Rentals to save thousands on your accommodation costs.

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