# NC History Highway — NC history narrated

> Interactive map and narrated audio for North Carolina historical markers. (iPhone/iPad app by NATHANAEL JOHN ERNST.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nc-history-highway/id6756218109 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [NATHANAEL JOHN ERNST](https://appshunter.io/developer/1859274797)
- Category: Education, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 5 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 48 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-03-09
- Data updated: 2026-07-17
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nc-history-highway/id6756218109/reviews.md

## What is NC History Highway?

NC History Highway delivers all 1,653 of North Carolina's state historical markers - content maintained by professional historians at the NC Office of Archives and History. Hear each story narrated aloud as you drive, with hands-free Trip Mode.

DISCOVER HISTORY EVERYWHERE

- Browse 1,600+ historical markers on an interactive map
- Search by location, county, or keyword
- View high-quality historical photographs
- Read detailed historical essays
- Hear each marker narrated aloud - word for word from the official record

TRIP MODE - HISTORY WHILE YOU DRIVE

Our signature feature automatically detects when you're near a historical marker and plays its story while you drive. Perfect for road trips, commutes, or exploring your neighborhood.

- Hands-free education while driving
- Automatically plays nearby markers
- Background audio - works even when phone is locked
- Adjustable alert radius (500 feet to 50 miles)
- Queue system manages multiple nearby markers
- Works with CarPlay and Android Auto
- Safe and distraction-free

ACHIEVEMENTS & EXPLORATION

Unlock 50 achievements as you explore North Carolina's history:

- Listen achievements for hearing markers and audio time
- Save achievements for bookmarking favorites
- Explore achievements for visiting regions and counties
- Trip achievements for using Trip Mode
- Fun achievements for special locations

FEATURES

- Sign in with Google or Apple to sync across devices
- Save favorite markers for later
- Hide markers to reduce map clutter
- Light and dark themes
- CarPlay and Android Auto support
- Fully accessible with VoiceOver support

EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE

- All content is G-rated and suitable for all ages
- Perfect for students, educators, and history enthusiasts
- No ads, no tracking
- Free to browse and explore with 3 hours of weekly audio
- Optional premium subscription for unlimited audio
- Guest mode - no account required

NC History Highway is created for anyone curious about North Carolina's past. Whether you're a lifelong resident or just visiting, discover the stories behind the places you pass every day.

From colonial settlements to civil rights landmarks, from BBQ capitals to university towns, every marker tells a story. Start exploring today!

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
All subscription tiers unlock the same premium features: unlimited audio narration and achievements. Tier choice reflects your desired level of support.

- Explorer: $19.99/year
- Historian: $39.99/year
- Preservationist: $59.99/year
- Monthly: $6.99/month

All yearly plans include a 7-day free trial. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase.

## Key features

- Interactive map of historical markers
- Hands-free Trip Mode for driving
- Audio narration of marker stories
- Search by location, county, or keyword
- Unlockable achievements
- Save favorite markers
- CarPlay and Android Auto support

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Explorer | $19.99 | per year |
| Preservationist | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Historian | $39.99 | per year |



## Frequently asked questions about NC History Highway

### What is NC History Highway?

NC History Highway is an educational app that provides narrated stories for over 1,600 historical markers across North Carolina. It features an interactive map, hands-free driving mode, and achievement system for exploration.

### How does the Trip Mode in NC History Highway work?

Trip Mode automatically detects when you are near a historical marker and plays its narrated story. It offers hands-free, distraction-free education while driving, with adjustable alert radii and background audio functionality.

### Is NC History Highway suitable for all ages?

Yes, all content in NC History Highway is G-rated and suitable for all ages. It is designed to be educational and engaging for students, educators, and history enthusiasts alike.

### What are the subscription options for NC History Highway?

NC History Highway offers a freemium model with 3 hours of free audio weekly. Optional premium subscriptions provide unlimited audio narration and achievements, with monthly and yearly plans available at different support tiers.

### Does NC History Highway have ads?

No, NC History Highway is ad-free and does not track users. The app is free to browse and explore with a limited amount of audio, with an optional subscription for unlimited access.

### How often is NC History Highway updated?

The app was last updated on May 8, 2026, with version 1.2.0. Content is maintained by professional historians, suggesting regular updates to historical information and app features.

### Can I use NC History Highway offline?

The description does not explicitly state offline functionality for marker content. However, features like background audio and CarPlay/Android Auto support suggest it is designed for active use while traveling.

### What devices support NC History Highway?

NC History Highway is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It also offers compatibility with CarPlay and Android Auto for in-car use.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.2.0 — 2026-05-08

A lot has changed since the last update. Here's what's new:

The daily quiz is here - a quick five-question spin through NC history every day, with a streak to keep up. It draws from the same 1,659 markers you already know.

Listen faster (or slower) - narration speed (0.9x to 1.5x) is now free for everyone, not just premium. Pick what feels right.

Trip mode got a lot of small upgrades that add up: it recovers when you grant location permission mid-session, refreshes correctly the next morning so the homepage shows today's quiz instead of yesterday's score, and bounces back from spotty cell service on back roads without giving up.

The map searches by county now, and it's smarter about how you type marker IDs ("D113", "d-113", "D 113" all work). Save a marker from the detail page and the map's pin updates right away - no more tab-switching.

Settings are reorganized into clearer sections, and there's a new "About the marker content" page that explains exactly where every word and image comes from - no marketing fluff.

Lots of accessibility improvements throughout, especially for screen reader users and folks navigating with reduced motion or higher contrast.

Thanks for driving these stories. If anything sounds off, send a note from Settings - every report comes straight to me.

### 1.1.2 — 2026-03-17

Thanks for trying out NC History Highway! In this update, I've made Trip Mode updates, found more historical images, and added better app preview screens.

### 1.1.1 — 2026-03-11

Thanks for being one of the first users ever of NC History Highway! I'm trying ton continue to find relevant images and marker information. I've also fixed a few bugs.

### 1.1.0 — 2026-03-09

No release notes.

## Related topics

[nc historical markers](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nc-historical-markers)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-17.*
