5 essential apps for beating Bank Holiday traffic

Braving the traffic this bank holiday? These apps are an absolute must.

With over 15 million people potentially hitting the road this August bank holiday, it's likely that if you're one of them, you'll bump into some congestion on your journey.

Whether you're heading to the coast for a family staycation, embarking on a city break, or simply trying to navigate your daily commute, traffic jams are inevitable and can really put the brakes on your day.

We've scoured the app store, done the research, and handpicked just five apps we think you should have in your digital glovebox while on the road.

Waze

Free and available on Android and iOS

Part navigation app, part social network, and part geo game.

Waze relies on its users' data to constantly evolve and improve, and the results have a hugely positive response from the Waze community.

Luckily, with a community of 190 million monthly active users, it has plenty of information and data to fuel its journey.

Essentially, the app is constantly learning.

The more people use it, the more real-time information is fed back in, so active users get updates on traffic, estimated arrival times, and any police presence such as speed cameras.

If you use Waze on your daily commute, it will learn from your routine and pre-empt any anomalies, ensuring that your journey home is as hassle-free as possible, despite any unforeseen roadblocks.

But it doesn't stop at helpful traffic updates.

Users can update and suggest service stations and points of interest along any route and flag petrol stations by price too.

Drivers travelling to the same destination in separate vehicles can even keep tabs on everyone in their party to ensure no one takes a wrong turn or gets left in the dust.

The developers have even pre-empted any hesitation in allowing data sharing by incentivising users with geo-gaming features and the ability to develop a personal avatar.

BBC Weather

Free and available on Android and iOS.

The quintessential British weather app.

Arguably the favourite topic of conversation for many of us Brits, we talk, muse, and speculate about the weather A LOT.

Usually with very good reason. After all, the British weather is notoriously unpredictable.

Let's be honest here. A bank holiday weekend is, for some inexplicable reason, a magnet for extreme weather.

Whether we're heading for a scorching nirvana or a total washout, your journey is likely to be affected.

The BBC Weather app allows you to store up to 10 favourite locations and it will update accordingly as your journey progresses.

The app checks for the most up-to-date weather information every time you launch it.

Whilst avid weather watchers will be aware of how fickle the UK's climate is, using BBC Weather means you can at least prepare for some semblance of rain, sun, or snow before you shift into gear.

Just Park

Free and available on Android and iOS.

Picture the scene – you’re reaching the end of the road following a long and arduous drive only to be faced with the rather daunting task of finding a parking space.

But not just any parking space.

The parking space.

The one that ticks all of the boxes - close to your destination, affordable, and a decent size (not everyone drives a tiny Fiat 500).

Ever tried to visit the capital? A busy seaside town? Or virtually anywhere in peak season? It's no mean feat.

Enter JustPark.

Perfect if you're in a highly populated destination or an unfamiliar area, JustPark allows you to easily find, book and pay for a parking space in advance.

It is surprisingly easy to use, convenient and gets very favourable reviews from users.

You can select a space to suit you. From your normal car parks and multi-storey giants, to private driveways in residential areas – it truly has it all, helping you navigate the final mile with ease.

Plugshare

Free and available on Android and iOS.

Easily one of the most popular apps amongst the growing community of EV drivers, Plugshare is simple but incredibly useful.

In essence, it's a quick and convenient way to find your nearest EV charging point.

It has the most accurate and complete public charging map worldwide, with stations from every major network in North America, Europe, and throughout much of the globe.

It's updated regularly, and users can report on the location and functionality of charging stations so that you can gain a non-biased opinion on a charger before you charge up your electric vehicle.

You can also filter from a variety of factors to find the perfect charger for you, ensuring you're never left running on empty.

In addition to a plethora of public charging points, Plugshare also allows residential charger owners to list their locations on the interactive map too, so you should never be too far from your next charge.

Spotify

Free and premium packages, available on Android and iOS.

No road trip would be complete without a soundtrack.

Spotify is the go-to streaming service for the 640 million monthly active users who just keep coming back for more.

With more than 100 million songs, 6 million podcasts, and 350,000+ audiobooks, there really is something for everybody to enjoy while cruising along.

Free users can listen to pre-made playlists on shuffle but are limited in the number of songs they can skip each day, as well as being subjected to the minor irritation of regular ad breaks.

A premium membership costs around £11.99 per month and offers the ability to download and play music offline and create bespoke playlists too.

They also offer other plans if you're a student, family or duo.

If you're travelling with family or friends, asking them to contribute their favourite songs to create the ultimate soundtrack is a great way to experience a variety of musical styles and genres.

A carefully curated musical compilation can also serve as a reminder of your trip once you're home, which is a great way to banish the holiday blues.

Alternatively, if you're short on time but still want some spectacular summer driving tunes - download our very own Summer Driving playlist.

Ready, steady, road trip

With these five digital co-pilots riding shotgun on your dashboard, you're now prepped and raring to go for whatever the bank holiday traffic throws your way.

So, buckle up, pop on that playlist, and show those traffic jams whose boss.

The road is calling, and you're more than ready to answer.