How Do I Get Wi-Fi in My Car?

Having internet in your car means you can stay connected and entertained on long drives and road trips. Car Wi-Fi also gives you access to live traffic updates, satellite radio, weather forecasts, and emergency services while on the road.

So how do you get Wi-Fi for your wheels? There are four main ways:

• Use your phone’s hotspot.
• Use a mobile hotspot device.
• Use your car’s built-in hotspot.
• Use a public Wi-Fi hotspot in the parking lot of a restaurant, library, or school.

Read on for our guide on how to get internet for your car. Trust us, you have lots options.

Use your phone’s hotspot for quick internet in your car

Your cell phone’s hotspot is the easiest—and cheapest—way to get internet in your car.

Most cell phones have built-in hotspots, which you can connect to using data from your phone plan. They’re really easy to use and give you decent speeds as long as you’re in an area with cell service. Just make sure you have hotspot access as part of your phone plan.

Best phone plans with hotspot data

Phone hotspot data is included on most unlimited phone plans from major providers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. We think T-Mobile’s Magenta Max plan is the best because it gives you the most hotspot data, but you can pay for a cheaper plan if you use your hotspot less frequently (and thus need less data).

You can get a much cheaper option from Visible, an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that offers unlimited data on hotspots. The catch—and it’s a big one—is that you can connect only one other device, and max speeds will be 5 Mbps, which is really slow.

To set up a hotspot, contact your provider, sign up for the right data plan, and then switch on your phone’s hotspot to get it working. After you’ve turned on your hotspot, you can search for the network name on other devices that you want to connect to access the internet.

Use a mobile hotspot for longer drives

While your phone’s hotspot works great in a pinch, you can use a standalone mobile hotspot device for more long-term use. A standalone mobile hotspot is similar to a phone’s hotspot, but it gives you more data and a faster connection without draining your phone’s battery. It also lets you connect a lot more devices at once. That makes it great for getting Wi-Fi to the whole family or all your friends on a road trip or long drive.

You can use a hotspot to stream movies, play games, or even attend Zoom meetings—just make sure the driver is keeping their eyes on the road! You can also use a hotspot to access emergency services if necessary.

Best mobile hotspots

Use your car’s Wi-Fi system to sync with on-board navigation and entertainment

Many cars have built-in hotspots included as part of their navigation and entertainment systems.

You have to pay extra for the hotspot, but it doesn’t cost much. Expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 per month to get Wi-Fi in your car through a built-in hotspot. If you don’t use a hotspot outside your car, on-board Wi-Fi makes for a more cost-effective alternative. Also, it connects your car with up-to-date navigation, weather, and safety information and lets you connect your phone and other Wi-Fi devices better with any on-board streaming or music options you may have.

Best Wi-Fi systems and built-in hotspots for your car

Many Wi-Fi hotspots in cars require a Connected Car data plan from AT&T, with prices and features varying based on the specific make and model of your vehicle. Some cars—namely Volkswagens and vehicles that can get Wi-Fi through T-Mobile’s SyncUP DRIVE system—let you get data through Verizon or T-Mobile.

Depending on the car you have and its hotspot features, you can connect five to 10 devices.

Can you get unlimited car Wi-Fi?

You can get unlimited data for your car’s Wi-Fi hotspot if you have the right model. AT&T’s Connected Car data plan offers unlimited packages for a variety of cars, including multiple models of Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Chevrolet. Volkswagen’s Car-Net system also has unlimited plans available.

You’ll have to pay a higher price compared to more limited hotspot plans. Also, you’ll likely get slower speeds—especially if you connect multiple devices at once and use more data in general. But this could be a great option if you spend a lot of time each day on the road and depend heavily on your car Wi-Fi for work and entertainment.

Which cars have built-in Wi-Fi hotspots?

Chrysler, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, and many other car manufacturers provide built-in hotspots in some models.

Generally you can expect a luxury sedan, SUV, or truck built in 2014 or later will come with 4G Wi-Fi and hotspot connectivity.² But that’s not always the case. If you’re considering buying a new vehicle with built-in Wi-Fi, check with your dealership or look up the car maker online to see if it’s an option.

Depending on the kind of car you have, its hotspot will run over a 3G or 4G LTE connection, providing high-speed internet access to five to 10 devices. You’ll need to buy a separate data plan to make the car hotspot work, but prices are reasonable (about $10–$50 per month).

Car manufacturers that offer built-in Wi-Fi hotspots

• Audi
• BMW
• Chevrolet
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• FIAT
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Jeep
• Mercedes-Benz
• Ram
• Toyota
• Volkswagen

Do Tesla models have Wi-Fi hotspots?

Teslas have a Wi-Fi system that manages the car features, but they do not have Wi-Fi hotspots built into the car.

Teslas have a lot of features included as part of its Wi-Fi system, including remote start, streaming, Bluetooth capabilities, and navigational controls. However, according to multiple sources (including someone on our staff who owns a Tesla), Teslas don’t have built-in hotspots.^{1, 3} That sets Tesla behind other luxury car brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which do have hotspot capabilities.

How do you get Wi-Fi in your car for free?

You can get Wi-Fi in your car for free by pulling up to a building that provides a free public hotspot and connecting to that. You can also get free Wi-Fi by using a public hotspot from your home internet provider.

Many public libraries, schools, government buildings, and national restaurant chains offer free Wi-Fi to the public—and sometimes their hotspots have a wide enough range to reach the parking lot. You can get the internet for sure during business hours, and you might be able to get a connection outside of business hours, too, so long as the Wi-Fi remains switched on.

Obviously, this isn’t the most convenient (or even secure) way to get Wi-Fi in your car, but it’s by far the cheapest. You’ll probably also get decent speeds, although the connection will be slower than a home broadband setup.

Another way to get free Wi-Fi is by using a public hotspot from your home internet provider. Xfinity hosts millions of Wi-Fi hotspots in public areas across the country, and you can use them if you have Xfinity internet at home. Just sign on using your home internet username and password. Spectrum and some other providers also host public hotspots which you can use in the same way.

Not sure where to find free public Wi-Fi? You can start with any of the businesses listed below.

Popular restaurant chains with free Wi-Fi: 

• Starbucks
• McDonald’s
• Burger King
• KFC
• Taco Bell
• Subway
• Target
• Best Buy
• Lowe’s Home Improvement
• Dunkin’ (formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts)
• Peet’s Coffee
• Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
• Tim Hortons
• Panera Bread
• Arby’s
• Wendy’s

Additional resources

• Best Ways to Get Portable Internet
• Best Unlimited Wireless Internet
• Best Hotspot Data Plans
• How to Use Your Phone as a Hotspot

Sources

1. Tesletter, “How to Connect a Tesla to the Wi-Fi,” September 24, 2020. Accessed August 4, 2021.
2. NBC News, “Connectivity Cars: A New Generation with Built-in WiFi Hot-Spots,” May 13, 2014. Accessed August 25, 2021.
3. EVGeeks, “Do Teslas Have Wi-Fi?” undated. Accessed August 4, 2021.

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