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.

WHEE
Celebrate Fairfax Festival
What: Hear tunes at the children’s stage, take a ride on the trackless train, and stop at the petting zoo.
Why: The KidWay MidWay’s rides are perfect for your tiny thrill-seeker (just be prepared for a chorus of Just one more time, pleaaaaase!).
When: Fri., 6 p.m.-midnight; Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax. Tickets online at celebratefairfax.com. Adults and children 11 and up, $9-$57; children 3-10, $4-$44; under 3, free.

SPROUT
Jack and the Magic Beans
What: In the classic English folktale, a boy gets more than he bargains for when he sells the family cow.
Why: Take a few nonperishable food items for donation to Arlington Food Assistance Center.
When: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.
Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Rd., Arlington. Tickets at 703-548-1154 or online at encorestage.org. Adults, $10; children, $8.

CREATE
Crafty Tales for Toddlers
What: Stories, singing, and hands-on activities for budding literati (ages 2 and up).
Why: Tackle the ABCs with alphabet-themed books this week.
When: Ongoing. Mon., 10:30 a.m.
Where: Palisades Library, 4901 V St. NW, off MacArthur Blvd. (202-282-3139). Participation is free.

Photo: Image Source / Getty Images