Jump to: How do you get Wi-Fi for your car? Is car Wi-Fi worth it? What providers offer Wi-Fi service for cars? Benefits of car Wi-Fi How is Wi-Fi in your car different than a mobile hotspot? How else can you get connected in your car? Wi-Fi in cars FAQs How do you get Wi-Fi for your car? What has four wheels and Wi-Fi? Possibly your next car, truck or SUV.Or, with some new equipment and a Wi-Fi plan, it could be your current car.If you want Wi-Fi in your car, whether to appease the kids in the backseat or accommodate your associates in the carpool, you have a few options.
Here’s what you need to know: Many newer model vehicles come with built-in Wi-Fi equipment If you aren’t in the market for a new car — or the one you want doesn’t come with the technology — there are a few devices to help you bridge the gap Once you have a means to receive internet service, whether through a built-in system or add-on equipment, you’ll need an internet provider with a Wi-Fi plan What cars have built-in Wi-Fi? Many manufacturers are adding built-in Wi-Fi equipment to their new vehicles, but that doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi service is included.These popular manufacturers are producing select vehicles with built-in Wi-Fi technology, including: Acura Audi BMW Buick Cadillac Tesla Jeep Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ford Honda Infiniti Jaguar Land Rover Lincoln Mercedes Nissan Porsche Subaru Volvo Kia Toyota Hyundai Mazda Lexus Volkswagen Integrated Wi-Fi programs Some vehicle manufacturers have built-in programs that are good for hands-free calling for the driver, listening to weather reports and alerts, and accessing mechanical and emergency help.Passengers can also use the internet on their devices via the vehicle’s Wi-Fi hotspot.
These are the most recognizable in-vehicle internet systems: OnStar: Included in General Motors vehicles (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac).Basic OnStar features are included for eight years in all 2025 or newer vehicles.Monthly subscriptions range from $19.99 to $34.99/mo.
Entune: This multimedia app system is included for no charge in Toyota vehicles; however, adding mobile Wi-Fi costs $20.00/mo.through Verizon Uconnect Web: Found in Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles, this multimedia app system is Wi-Fi capable with internet subscriptions starting at $17.99/mo.with AT&T However, not all new vehicles from these manufacturers come standard with built-in Wi-Fi, so check the specific models that do before your next purchase.
Mobile hotspots Using your phone as a hotspot, or purchasing a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is the quickest way to get internet in your car.Both methods let you connect multiple devices in your car to Wi-Fi, but remember to monitor your data plan, so you don’t end up with any surprises on your monthly internet bill.OBD II devices Some car Wi-Fi devices can plug into your car’s OBD II port.
An OBD port is where vehicle mechanics plug in to run your car’s diagnostics, but you can use it to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.It’s generally found under your driver’s side dashboard, near the steering wheel, or hidden under a small cover on the vehicle floor, nearest the gas tank release lever.These devices are often available from the service provider and may cost $100 or more.
The device gets power from the 12-volt OBD-II port, which is standard on 1996 and newer vehicles.The device has a SIM card and a modem, like a cell phone, to access cellular networks and transmit data via Wi-Fi.Is car Wi-Fi worth it? Wi-Fi in your car may be worth it in situations where multiple passengers could use the connection either daily or on a trip.
But if you aren’t frequently playing chauffeur or don’t have any big road trips planned, you may not need an in-car Wi-Fi connection.The next time you buy a new car, however, it’s likely to have Wi-Fi technology built in, whether you plan on using it or not.As technology becomes more widely available, expect cellular service providers to offer more Wi-Fi plans and features for your vehicle.
What providers offer Wi-Fi service for cars? Regardless of what equipment you use, you’ll need a mobile plan.Major cellular providers including AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon offer Wi-Fi plans specifically for vehicles.ProviderStarting priceRequired plan AT&T$15/mo.Unlimited Verizon$20/mo.Unlimited or Data-Only T-Mobile$20/mo.Unlimited Car Wi-Fi plans Car Wi-Fi pricing varies by provider and plan.
Additionally, you may need cellular service from a specific provider to be eligible for their service or special pricing.Pay-as-you-go plans may also be available, ideal for a summer road trip or long drives to visit family over the holidays.With these plans, you pay for an allotted amount of data and use it at your convenience.
Verizon, for instance, has non-cellular customer plans for $20/mo.for Bentley, BMW, Kia, Mazda, Toyota, Lexus and VW.Contact your cellular service provider for more information about car Wi-Fi plans and equipment costs.
Car Wi-Fi restrictions Some providers may have data restrictions, so keep that in mind while shopping for a plan.Not all providers require you to be a cellular or internet customer and you may be able to get a Wi-Fi plan for your car from them without signing up for other services.Signal quality depends on your proximity to towers, so your service may fade in and out as you are traveling.
Parking at a lot or rest area can ensure you have a more stable connection.Benefits of car Wi-Fi Wi-Fi in a vehicle can be a good option if you: Travel long distances with children who game and or stream on tablets Want live traffic and weather conditions updates Prefer easier access to emergency or roadside services Need to stay in close contact with your office or business Remember, most states have a hands-off device or no texting-and-driving law for motor vehicle operators.So while it’s handy to stay in contact on the go, safety remains your top priority when driving — everything else can wait until you reach your destination.
How is Wi-Fi in your car different than a mobile hotspot? Most smartphones come equipped with a mobile hotspot function with a certain amount of data included at no extra charge, so why would you need a Wi-Fi connection in your car? There are a few reasons why you might prefer a car Wi-Fi over a mobile hotspot.You’re likely to get a stronger signal.With a mobile hotspot, your phone uses a built-in antenna to receive a signal.
With Wi-Fi, your car is essentially the antenna, bettering your chances of receiving a strong, reliable signal.It’ll save your phone’s battery… If you’ve used your phone as a mobile hotspot, you know how it can drain your battery.This may not be a big deal if there’s a charger handy, but that basically means no one else gets to charge their phone.
…and your mobile plan’s data.Sure, everyone in the office carpool has a smartphone with hotspot capabilities, but who is willing to sacrifice their data so that others can connect? And what happens to the connection when you drop them off at the end of the day? It works with your vehicle.Features like location sharing, driving history and crash response come with Verizon’s Hum device and service.
Additionally, select vehicles with built-in Wi-Fi can run diagnostics and software updates remotely, without needing a trip to the dealership.How else can you get connected in your car? There are other options than a Wi-Fi connection if you need internet in your car, truck, RV or SUV. Mi-Fi You can use a Mi-Fi device to access the internet (through Wi-Fi) when you are on the go.This mobile Wi-Fi router can get you online in your car, a bus, an RV or a train.
The benefit of a Mi-Fi device is that you won’t be relying on cellular data to run it, and you can connect multiple devices at once. RV satellite Satellite internet providers like Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat offer plans specifically tailored to getting internet in a recreational vehicle.They can be pricey, but you can buy them on demand and pause when you stop traveling.You must be parked to receive the signal, but it is far better in speed and availability than using your cellular data.
Portable and mobile hotspots As mentioned above, mobile and portable hotspots are always an option for internet in a moving vehicle.Most newer cell phones have a built-in mobile hotspot that you’ll need to turn on with your provider.Some of them have extra fees, data caps and can strain your phone’s battery with extended use. Purchasing your own portable hotspot with a data plan that is outside of your cell phone plan.
They can get pricey, but they are an excellent option to get internet in your car if you intend to use it other than in an emergency. Wi-Fi in cars FAQs How can I get Wi-Fi in my car? You can get Wi-Fi in your car via your cell phone’s hotspot, by purchasing a separate Mi-Fi device and plan or getting a recommended plan from your car’s manufacturer for nationwide providers like AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon.Is a car hotspot worth it? If you need to access the internet while traveling locally, regionally or nationally, yes, having a dedicated Wi-Fi plan for your car will be worth it just not to pay overage fees on your cell phone plan. How much does car Wi-Fi cost? If you use your cell phone’s hotspot, it can get costly if you go over your data cap.
For built-in car Wi-Fi, plans run around $20/mo. How many devices can connect to car Wi-Fi? That depends on the plan you have, but generally an average of five to seven devices can run off of a car’s Wi-Fi connection. What to read next Read more Featured Airlines with in-flight Wi-Fi: How to stay connected in the air Camryn Smith — 3 min read Featured Can other Wi-Fi networks interfere with mine? Robin Layton — 4 min read Featured Tips to improve your internet connection and boost Wi-Fi signal Camryn Smith — 6 min read Latest Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Car Wi-Fi: How to get connected in your vehicle Lisa Iscrupe — 7 min read Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Best service outage maps and resources Camryn Smith — 4 min read Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Where to stream the 2026 Winter Olympics Lisa Iscrupe — 3 min read
Read More
