Mike's NBC-TV stories

YES Parking: Apps to Make Parking WAY Easier

Finding a parking spot that doesn’t cost a fortune can put a damper on going to the big game or concert – or even when headed to an important meeting. This week. we have found some apps that are designed to eliminate parking stress by giving you a way to book and pay for a parking spot ahead of time – and they aren’t limited to bigger cities like Chicago or New York, either.

ParkWhiz offers services for more than 150 cities across the United States. Using the app is simple: enter your desired time and location to see available parking options listed at the cheapest rates possible. Users can then purchase parking with just one touch and show the parking pass on your smartphone screen when you arrive. ParkWhiz also provides directions to parking locations and an estimated walking time to final destination. The app is free for Android and iOS.

Parking Panda helps users find and book parking for more than 40 cities from New York to San Francisco. Find a parking garage or lot near your destination, book a spot. Parking Panda offers real-time pricing and can offer savings of up to 70 percent. It also lists available amenities, such as hours and the availability of handicapped parking. The app is free for Android and iOS.

ParkMe bills itself as the largest database of accurate parking information in the world, offering service to more than 81,000 locations in 500 cities globally. ParkMe shows available parking on a map with real-time rates. It provides specific directions to where you book parking – right up to location of the driveway you need to enter.

Check out the full PC Mike report for NBC-TV on finding the perfect parking spot below:

Mike is a veteran journalist whose video "PC Mike" reports have been distributed weekly to all 215 NBC-TV stations since 1994, making him one of the most experienced tech reporters in the country. His tech stories and videos have appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, the Today Show, The New York Times, USA Today and in numerous national newspapers and magazines. In addition to the PC Mike tech blog, he also publishes the Roadtreking.com RV Travel Blog in which he travels North America in an RV reporting about interesting people and places.