The Ultimate Guide to Developing an App Like Roadtrippers in Australia
January 27, 2025
You probably know Roadtrippers—or maybe you even used it. It’s that app that makes road trip planning fun rather than the hassle it usually is. Launched in 2012, it was created to solve the universal road trip problem: the chaos of trying to plan everything. We’ve all been there—Googling endless places, scribbling down notes on napkins, and trying to remember where the best pit stops are. Roadtrippers took the stress out of all that, becoming the trusty assistant, every road tripper didn’t know they needed.
Since its unveiling, Roadtrippers has planned more than 35 million itineraries, amounting to the unbelievable figure of 24 billion miles. And it’s only getting bigger: the road trip app market is projected to reach $1.12 trillion by 2031. With its devoted user base and good support, Roadtrippers continues to be the first choice for people looking to make a road trip as easy as possible.
What does it take to build an app like Roadtrippers? Here’s a peek into what goes into creating an app that could be the ultimate road trip companion.
Must-Have Features for a Road Trip App
Thinking of building a road trip app like Roadtrippers? There’s a lot more to it than just showing the quickest route from A to B. To make your app a true game-changer, here’s a list of essential features that will turn your app into a must-have for every traveler:
- Smart Route Planning
The smart route planning offers to map any multi-stop routes you might plan. Even for the updates you can make online in real time, it gets them around roadblocks and advises them on routes where they have an option for a detour, should you be feeling more adventurous. Bottom line: stress-free and the best possible flow of your route.
- Hidden Gem Discovery
No one likes ending up in the same touristy spots as every other traveler. But what if your app could recommend those secret little spots—like the quirky café with the best coffee or that beach no one knows about? By tapping into local insights and using AI, your app can offer users these hidden gems, letting them enjoy a truly unique and crowd-free experience.
- Hotel & Food Booking
Let’s face it, road trip food can go either way. Some meals are a delightful surprise; others might not be. If your app integrates hotel and food booking, travelers can simply plug in their location and instantly book a room or reserve a table at a place worth stopping for. No more scrambling for Wi-Fi or scouring places when they’re already tired of the drive.
- Fuel & EV Charging Finder
Nothing ruins a trip like running out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Or worse, finding out your EV is out of charge and the nearest station is a hundred miles away. A fuel/charging finder makes sure your users never have to face that dreaded panic. It’s about saving time, energy, and a lot of frustration.
- Offline Maps
Some places have awful signals. Offering offline maps means your app can work even when there’s no connection, which is especially useful for Australia’s more remote areas. Users can feel confident that no matter where they are, the app’s got their back.
- User Reviews & Community Tips
No one knows better than other travelers. Allowing them to share tips, reviews, or even road stories make your app more than a tool—it makes it into a community. That diner down by the highway or that quiet spot on the outskirts of town? It’s more than a simple icon on the map; it’s a man-who’s-been-there tip.
- Emergency SOS & Road Alerts
Safety first, always. Whether it’s a quick alert about bad weather or a sudden road closure, your users will feel more secure knowing that the app can instantly notify them of any road issues. Plus, an SOS button ensures help is never too far away if they find themselves in trouble.
- Budget Estimator
Road trips can quickly rack up costs, from gas to food to accommodation. Having a built-in budget estimator means users can see what they’ll spend before they even hit the road—keeping the trip under control financially and reducing any “Where did all our money go?” moments.
What Can Make It Even Better?
You’ve got the basics, but how can you make your road trip app truly unforgettable? Here are a few features that can turn a good app into a great one:
- AI-Powered Personalized Suggestions: Imagine if your app could start offering suggestions based on previous trips. For instance, if a user always opts for scenic routes or enjoys beach towns, the app can remember and recommend those kinds of stops. It’s the difference between just a good app and one that truly gets its user.
- Live Weather & Road Conditions: Let’s face it, weather can change in a heartbeat. Adding live weather and road condition updates means your users are always in the loop. They can avoid a nasty detour or delay, making their trip smoother and less stressful.
- Augmented Reality (AR) for Attractions: Want to turn every roadside stop into a little adventure? Add AR! With just a tap, users can point their phones at a landmark and get instant details—perfect for that quirky roadside diner or an unexpected roadside attraction. It’s an engaging way to keep travelers intrigued.
- Collaborative Planning: Road trips are often about group travel. A collaborative planning feature would let friends or family add their own must-see spots, swap suggestions, and plan stops together in real-time. It’s a great way to keep everyone involved without the headache of long group chats.
The moment the user is rewarded for frequent visits or visits to the same place, it encourages him to come back. Discounts on their future booking, free upgrades, or simple points can work in favor of the business. Of course, this adds an enjoyment factor and an incentive to the entire experience.
Key Factors Affecting Development Costs
When you’re thinking about building an app like Roadtrippers, you’ll quickly realize there’s no one-size-fits-all cost. It all depends on a few things. Here’s what really impacts the cost to create an app like Roadtrippers:
Platform Choice: Will your app be for iOS, Android, or both? If you want it on both platforms, you’re going to be paying more. Each platform needs separate development work, which naturally adds to the cost. But sticking with just one? That’s going to save you some money, but you’ll miss out on reaching half of your potential audience.
App Complexity: Adding more features only means an app is more complex, and that equates to a higher cost. You got things like real-time data syncing, offline maps, and advanced navigation—all of which take much more time and effort to build and test. Keep this in mind if you want to go all out with your app’s functionality.
Design & UX: An easy-to-use and beautiful app that is loved by everyone. If you truly want your users to be continuous, the design must be smooth and intuitive. That means putting effort into user experience (UX) and investing in solid design—things that are crucial but also come at a cost.
Development Team: The team you choose is a big factor. Hiring an experienced development company in Australia will cost you more, but they’ll get things right. Cheaper developers may offer lower rates, but you risk delays, bugs, or poor-quality work that could hurt you later.
Here’s the rough estimate based on what you want. If you’re building a basic version with the essentials, expect to spend AUD 50,000 to AUD 75,000. Want more advanced features, plus a version for both iOS and Android? Now we’re looking at AUD 100,000 to AUD 150,000.
Then, there’s maintenance. Apps aren’t a one-and-done deal. You’ll need to keep them updated, fix bugs, and improve things over time. That can add around AUD 10,000 to AUD 20,000 a year to keep the app running smoothly.
It’s not a small investment, but if you’re serious about building something worthwhile, it’s worth considering. The most important aspect of app development is partnering with a reliable tourism app development company. One can tackle all major challenges surrounding app development by partnering with an expert app development company in Australia.
Why Partner with an App Development Company?
You don’t need to do it all on your own. You can definitely make your life easier by having some well-established partnerships with tourism app development companies. They have the know-how, the wherewithal, and the experience to do all of this for you. They can also help you cut through unnecessary challenges and avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re sure about creating an app similar to Roadtrippers, the time is ripe for a bigger step forward. Join a company that truly gets it. Clavax is a leading app development company in Australia and can turn your concept into reality with utmost efficiency.