Friends & Family Beta

Planning a Midwest Trip? We Built Something for You.

Whether you're road-tripping through the Great Lakes, exploring Kansas City BBQ, or hitting every ballpark in the heartland — this is the offline travel companion I wish I'd had. We're asking 100 people to test it before launch. Free access, honest feedback. That's the deal.

67 of 100 spots remaining
Sign Up ↓

What You Get

📱

Everything Offline, One Screen

Directions, restaurant picks, current prices, local tips — organized in one place instead of scattered across bookmarks and group texts. Works when cell signal drops on the highway.

📍

Beyond the Places You Already Know

You know your hometown. The Companion fills the gaps — reliable directions to cities you haven't explored, updated prices, and honest restaurant picks across 13 Midwest destinations.

💬

Direct Line to Us

Questions, suggestions, things that are wrong — just reply to any email. You're helping us build this, so we want to hear everything. It goes straight to Scott.

⭐

Lifetime Discount When We Launch

Founding Explorers get a permanent discount on all future Trip Companion access. You helped us build it — you shouldn't have to pay full price for it.

Here's the Deal

  1. 1

    Tell Us Where You're Headed

    Quick form below — where you're going, when you leave. Takes 90 seconds. We use it to set up your Companion with the right destinations.

  2. 2

    Use It on Your Trip

    Check directions, find restaurants, look up prices — whatever's useful. No special tasks. Just use it like you normally would.

  3. 3

    Tell Us What Worked (and What Didn't)

    When you're back, a 5-minute feedback form. What was helpful, what was wrong, what's missing. Your answers shape what the next person gets.

  4. 4

    Share a Testimonial If You're Up for It

    Totally optional. But a sentence or two from someone who actually used it helps more than anything we could write ourselves.

And if you discover something along the way — a fare that changed, a restaurant that blew your mind, a tip you wish you'd known — share it in your post-trip survey. We'll add it to the site with your name, and you'll get lifetime free access to the Trip Companion as our thank-you.

Destinations We Cover

Chicago Milwaukee Minneapolis Detroit Cleveland Cincinnati Indianapolis St. Louis Kansas City Columbus Omaha Des Moines Madison
Testimonials coming soon from our first Founding Explorers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really free?
Yes. Full access, no cost. The Trip Companion is free for everyone through June 30, 2026. Starting July 1, 2026, it will be $7.99 per trip. As a Founding Explorer you get a lifetime discount on future access.
I've been to the Midwest many times — is this still useful for me?
Absolutely. Even if you know Chicago like the back of your hand, the Companion covers 13 destinations with current prices, updated directions, and offline access. It's especially useful when you're exploring beyond the cities you already know.
I already know some of these cities — can't I just use Google Maps?
Google Maps gets you there, but the Companion tells you where to park, what to order, and which neighborhoods to explore. Plus it works offline — great for road trips through rural stretches where signal drops.
What exactly is a PWA?
A Progressive Web App — it works like a regular app on your phone but you install it from your browser instead of an app store. Just visit the link we send you, tap "Add to Home Screen," and it's ready. No app store download, no storage bloat. Works offline once you've saved your destinations.
What if my trip dates change?
No problem. Just reply to any of our emails with your updated dates and we'll adjust. Your spot is secured regardless of when you travel.
I live in the Midwest — should I sign up?
If you're planning to explore cities outside your home area, definitely! The Companion is great for discovering destinations you haven't visited yet. If you'd rather contribute local knowledge about YOUR city, we'd love that too — reach out to us.
Can my travel partner sign up too?
We'd love that — we need each person's own feedback to improve the product. Send them this page and they can grab their own spot while they last.
How much time does the feedback take?
The signup form below takes about 90 seconds. The post-trip feedback takes about 5 minutes. That's roughly 7 minutes total. We kept it short.

Quick Setup — Tell Us About Your Trip

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please select your departure date.
Which destinations are you visiting? *
Please select at least one destination.
How do you usually plan trips? *
Please select an option.
Who are you traveling with? *
Please select an option.
Is this your first Midwest road trip? *
Please select an option.
How did you hear about us? *
Please select an option.
🎉

Welcome to the Founding Explorers!

What happens next

  1. Check your inbox for a welcome email from Scott
  2. Two weeks before your trip, we'll send setup instructions
  3. Install the Companion and download your destinations for offline use
  4. You're all set — everything works even when signal drops

Know someone else planning a Midwest trip? Send them this page — we still have spots.