It’s time to ready the family truckster and hit the road. And we’ve got some apps to ease your travel angst.

Best Road Trip Ever
The app-eal: It highlights the coolest offbeat spots along your route.
Helpful factor: Among the 7,000+ locations, pit stops like Route 66 landmark Snuffy’s Grill make Mom and Dad the best tour guides ever.
Who’s driving: Front-seat passengers.
Works on: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Cost: $4

GasBuddy
The app-eal: Find service stations with the cheapest gas for miles.
Helpful factor: Save money. Upgrade to a motel with HBO. Need we say more?
Who’s driving: Front-seat passengers.
Works on: iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
Cost: Free

Family Car Games
The app-eal: One hundred activities entertain on long stretches of interstate.
Helpful factor: The alphabet and license plate games will eventually play out. Arm yourself.
Who’s driving: Backseat passengers.
Works on: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Cost: $2

Bartleby’s Book of Buttons Vol. 1: the Far Away Island
The app-eal: Buttons, switches, and sliders, oh my.
Fun factor: The interactive puzzles that kids need to solve before moving on with the story are ideal for readers, amusing for everyone.
Who’s driving: Backseat passengers.
Works on: iPad.
Cost: Free

Faces iMake
The app-eal: Choose from hundreds of items like food, utensils, tools, toys, and candy for eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
Fun factor: Thousands of combinations make it a time-passer of cross-country proportions.
Who’s driving: Backseat passengers.
Works on: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Cost: $1-$2

Road-Trip-Bingo
The app-eal: Watch for signs, animals, and types of cars to get the heralded five in a row.
Fun factor: Roll down the windows and be prepared to hear squeals of “Bingo!”
Who’s driving: Backseat passengers.
Works on: iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
Cost: $1-$2

	Getting there is half the battle. We’ve found games and gear to get little ones from point A to point B — as well as more ideas on where point B should be.

GO
Daytrip Jr.
What: Daytrip Society opens a little sister store stocked with books, locally made toys, and Fjällräven backpacks for well-traveled tots.
Why: Let her hop on the vintage kiddie ride (that well-spent quarter is donated straight to Save the Whales).
When: Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 9 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport (207-967-8345).

LICK
Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
What: Proceeds go toward the fight against cancer at the all-you-can-eat ice cream smorgasbord.
Why: Fight brain freeze with games at the Jungle Speed Zone.
When: Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m.
Where: City Hall Plaza, Government Center, 1 City Hall Plz. Tickets online at kintera.org. Adults and children 10 and up, $8; children 3-9, $4; under 3, free.

TWIST
Yoga in the Park
What: Teachers from Stil Studio lead half-hour classes for yogis of all levels.
Why: Your tyke’s already mastered child’s pose.
When: Sun. Ages 3-6, 10 a.m.; ages 7-12, 10:30 a.m. (Also July 10 & Aug. 14.)
Where: DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd., Lincoln (781-259-8355). Family, $25.

Photo: Image Source / Getty Images