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.

INDULGE
Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Madrona Opens
What: Tucked inside the Madrona Laundromat, the latest outpost has frozen confections and pints.
Why: Sticky hands be damned. The new Mollypops are completely worth a few drips.
When: Daily, noon-11 p.m.
Where: 1408 34th Ave.

BRANCH OUT
Garden Tots
What: Drop in for plant-related activities and crafts (ages 2-7).
Why: This week, green thumbs-in-training make leaf monsters.
When: Ongoing. Fri., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th Ave. NW, Shoreline (206-546-1281). Admission is $5 per family.

IMAGINE
Lost in Wonderland
What: Bainbridge Theatre School students stage a multimedia performance based on Lewis Carroll’s enchanting tales.
Why: Scenes in front of the green screen add a little magic.
When: Wed. & Thurs., 7 p.m.
Where: Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island. Tickets at 206-842-8569. Adults and children, $10.

Photo: Image Source / Getty Images