About SmartStops — The Family Road Trip App Built by Parents
We built the road trip planning app we wished existed — one that finds parks and playgrounds first, then shows you gas, food, and coffee nearby. Made by parents, for parents.
194,000+ parks · Rated 5.0 on App Store · Built for families with kids ages 0–12
Built by Parents, For Parents
We're not just building an app—we're solving problems we live with every day
J & L — Parents Who Built What They Needed
We're J & L, a married couple with two kids. L is a software engineer with over a decade of experience, and J is the mom who makes sure this app actually works for real families. We know firsthand the challenges of family travel. We road trip because it's more affordable than flying, and honestly, dealing with car seats at rental places is always a gamble—sometimes great, sometimes a nightmare. Renting from third-party platforms? Even more hit or miss.
So we drive. A lot. And like every parent who's ever heard "Are we there yet?" 45 minutes into a six-hour drive, we learned the hard way that the secret to successful road trips isn't about the destination—it's about the stops.
SmartStops came from our own frustration of juggling Google Maps, Yelp, random blogs, and frantically searching "playgrounds near me" while trying to keep kids entertained in the backseat. We built the tool we wished existed: one that finds parks first, then shows everything else we need nearby. If it makes our road trips better, we hope it makes yours better too.
Our commitment to real data: SmartStops is powered by a database of over 194,000 parks across the US, with amenity information for 98.5% of them. We don't use AI-generated recommendations—every park in our system is a real place you can actually visit.
Our Story
Why we decided to build SmartStops
We built SmartStops, a mobile app that solves one of the biggest challenges of family road trips: keeping everyone happy and energized during long car rides. The core insight came from realizing that cranky kids aren't really upset about the drive itself - they're frustrated from sitting still for hours without being able to move and play. And let's be honest, parents need their fuel too - the caffeine kind.
SmartStops flips the typical road trip planning approach. Instead of just finding gas stations along your route, it finds parks and playgrounds first, then shows you nearby gas stations with your preferred brands, plus restaurants and coffee shops for the grown-ups. This way, every fuel stop becomes a perfect opportunity for kids to run around and play while parents grab that essential coffee or a proper meal.
The app lets families plan routes around these multi-purpose stops - a playground for the kids, a Starbucks for mom's latte, dad's favorite gas station brand, and maybe a quick bite for everyone. It transforms necessary travel breaks into planned family activities that actually recharge both kids and parents, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
What started as a personal solution to our own family travel frustrations has grown into something that addresses a real gap in the market. Most travel apps focus on efficiency - getting from point A to B as quickly as possible. SmartStops focuses on making the journey better for families by prioritizing what everyone actually needs: kids need regular opportunities to move and explore, parents need decent coffee and real food, and families need breaks that leave everyone refreshed rather than more stressed.
How SmartStops Works
Four simple steps to transform your family road trip experience
Enter Your Trip
Enter your start and destination, set your stop interval (every 1.5–5 hours), and let SmartStops find the best kid-friendly stops.
Compare Routes
See multiple route options and compare stop locations. Pick the route that works best for your family.
Explore Stops
See parks, playgrounds, gas, restaurants, and coffee near each stop. Multiple city options so you always have a backup.
Navigate & Enjoy
Tap any stop to open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps. Plan in SmartStops, drive with your favorite nav app.
Why Families Choose SmartStops
Designed specifically for families who want to make the most of their travel time and budget
Park-First Planning
SmartStops finds cities with parks and playgrounds first, then shows you gas, food, and coffee nearby. Everything you need in one stop.
Smart Stop Timing for Kids
Stops timed every 1.5–5 hours based on your kids' needs — not arbitrary mileage. Prevent meltdowns before they happen.
Route Comparison
Compare multiple route options and see how each one affects your stops. Pick the path with the best kid-friendly cities.
Built for Families with Kids 0–12
Unlike generic navigation apps, SmartStops is designed specifically for parents — with 194,000+ parks and 98.5% amenity data.
Perfect For:
- Families with children ages 2-12
- Road trips longer than 2 hours
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Parents who want stress-free travel
- Frequent weekend travelers
Our Mission
At SmartStops, we believe that family road trips should be about creating memories, not stressing over logistics. Our mission is to transform every necessary stop into an opportunity for family fun while helping you save money and time.
We understand that traveling with children requires careful planning and flexibility. That's why we've built SmartStops specifically for families, combining the practical needs of fuel stops with the desire to keep everyone happy and engaged during the journey.
Try SmartStops Free — Plan Your Next Family Road Trip Today
Download the app families are calling the best road trip planner for kids. Free plan included — start with a 7-day trial, then 2 trips per month, no credit card.
Rated 5.0 on App Store · Every review is 5 stars · 194,000+ parks