Technology

Learn how Exit Explorer works behind the scenes.

API Overview

Exit Explorer uses a REST API to provide real-time exit and business information. The app communicates with our backend servers using two main endpoints.

Exits Endpoint

Purpose: Get nearby highway exits based on your current location.

How It Works:

1. The app sends your current GPS coordinates to the server
2. The server finds all highway exits within your search radius
3. For each exit, the server identifies what categories of businesses are available (Gas, Food, Lodging, Other)
4. The response includes exit names, locations, and business category logos

What You Get:

• Exit name/number
• Exit GPS coordinates
• List of service categories available at each exit
• Brand logos for businesses at each exit (so you can see familiar names at a glance)

Example Use Case:

You're driving on I-95 and want to know what's at the next few exits. The app shows you "Exit 42" has Shell, McDonald's, and Holiday Inn, while "Exit 45" has Exxon, Wendy's, and Best Western - all displayed with recognizable logos.

Exit Places Endpoint

Purpose: Get detailed business information when you tap on a specific exit.

How It Works:

1. When you tap an exit marker on the map, the app sends the exit location and your current location to the server
2. The server queries for all businesses near that exit
3. Businesses are organized into four categories: Gas, Food, Lodging, and Other
4. The server calculates the approximate distance from your current location to each business

What You Get:

• Business name
• Brand logo
• Business type (gas station, restaurant, hotel, etc.)
• Customer rating (star rating)
• Number of reviews
• Approximate distance from your current location

Example Use Case:

You tap on "Exit 42" and see:

• Gas: Shell (4.2★, 156 reviews, 0.3 mi), BP (4.0★, 89 reviews, 0.5 mi)
• Food: McDonald's (3.8★, 423 reviews, 0.2 mi), Subway (4.1★, 201 reviews, 0.4 mi)
• Lodging: Holiday Inn (4.3★, 312 reviews, 0.6 mi)
• Other: Wells Fargo ATM (4.0★, 45 reviews, 0.3 mi)

Data Flow

Privacy & Security

• Authentication: All API requests are authenticated using secure, signed tokens
• Location Data: Your location is only used to find nearby exits and is not stored permanently
• No Tracking: We don't track your driving history or movement patterns

Learn More

For general, plain-language background on mapping technology, see the Guides.