Summer is the best time for road trips with the grandkids.

Think about your travel memories growing up. As a child, it had less to do with how much money your grandparents spent but more about the shared laughter, sightseeing and new places.Planning a trip is half the fun. Do your homework and invite the grandchildren to join in the research. Together you can visit destination websites for value packages, discount tickets, downloadable coupons and passes to multi-attraction offers.But before getting into the car, be sure the smartphone is loaded with these fun apps to make your vacation less complicated and more enjoyable.• Flush Toilet Finder pinpoints public bathrooms in your current vicinity. It displays over 190,000 restrooms around the world. Free.• Tollsmart calculates toll costs on routes anywhere in the USA and Canada. $2.99 per month.• iExit helps plan your pit stops and tells you what's ahead at upcoming exits from restaurants, gas stations, hotels. Free.• Glympse will share your location with fellow travelers. Just select contacts and give them permission to view your location for a set amount of time. Free.• GasBuddy locates the closest gas stations, with reviews. It's the largest community-based fuel app. Free.• HotelTonight searches for last-minute hotel deals while on the road or at home. Search as early as a week ahead. Free.• Roadtrippers is a route-planning app that marks the starting and end points of the trip. It tells you what's in between, where to eat, stay and closest attractions. Free.• Waze helps you steer clear of traffic congestion and sends alerts about accidents or other snags, even shows the fastest route. Free.• RepairPal is an app to find help when having car trouble. Type in the make of the car and problem, and it tells you area mechanics and estimates. Free.• Podcast Addict (Android) and Podcasts (Apple) offers a way to listen to stories about sports, politics, crime, dramas, and radio shows. Free.Carol Marak is an aging advocate and editor at Seniorcare.com.