GPS vs. Mapquest vs. a good ol' map - how do you get directions?

[mshanson3121]

For those that drive any distance to Florida, what do you use? My MIL gave me a TomTom but I'm sitting here playing with it and it just seems too confusing. It doesn't want to configure the route I want to go. Seriously, what happened to just using a frigging map?

For those that print off directions from online, what do you find better: MapQuest or Google Maps?

Or do you use the maps you buy at the gas station?

 

[ImDMous]

We use the Waze app on the phone as we go. It tracks traffic, driving speeds, closures, etc to route you as your going and as conditions change. We've found it to be very accurate.

 

[Alesia]

Google maps.

 

[joedplumber]

Car GPS and Waze...

 

[han22735]

Google maps and Waze on the phone.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I love having a paper map to augment whichever electronic system I am using. I am a very visual person and like looking at a paper map first to get a general sense of where I am going. Then I use my GPS for the actual directions.

 

[supersnoop]

Despite having navigation in both our vehicles, I always use my phone. The phone knows about traffic and construction; it can find the fastest route, even when it isn't the most direct.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'll look at googlemaps online to get a general idea where I'm going, then use my 4 year old Garmin while driving. If I need something supplemental to that, I use my phone (w/google maps).

 

[goofy4tink]

I love having a paper map to augment whichever electronic system I am using. I am a very visual person and like looking at a paper map first to get a general sense of where I am going. Then I use my GPS for the actual directions.

That's me too! If I can look at a map, beforehand, I can get a visual in my head. Then I use m phone GPS. I'll have to look into Waze....that's new to me.

 

[maciec]

Google maps app on my phone. Hasn't failed me yet

 

[Lewisc]

Google bought Waze. Waze traffic is incorporated into the google maps app. You can use a paper map. You can print directions. An app will route you around traffic

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Google maps on my phone. I used to use mapquest but it seems to send us way out of the way.

 

[rwdavis2]

For those that drive any distance to Florida, what do you use? My MIL gave me a TomTom but I'm sitting here playing with it and it just seems too confusing. It doesn't want to configure the route I want to go. Seriously, what happened to just using a frigging map?

For those that print off directions from online, what do you find better: MapQuest or Google Maps?

Or do you use the maps you buy at the gas station?

Google maps if I want a hardcopy which I almost never do.

Usually use my phone. Waze or Google maps. The advantage of Google maps is that it will detect a significant slowdown on a highway and almost give you an alternative. Saved us about 2 hours once by getting us around an accident.

But electronic devices won't necessarily give you the route you prefer. They are designed for shortest, fastest, avoid highways, avoid toll roads or however you configure it.

 

[minnie mum]

I'm married to a retired Air Force Navigator, so we've got just about everything but a sextant in the car. Maps from CAA with the route marked out in highlighter. A detailed CAA Trip Tik that also shows food, lodging and gas stops enroute. And the GPS with all of our overnight stops saved. BTW, you can "force" your GPS to follow your desired route by programming a few intermediate "via" points into your trip each day. Our GPS also has a traffic option which has come in handy to warn us of problems ahead.

 

[Jimsig]

A combo of my GPS and phone (google maps), my GPS has lifetime maps and traffic. Make sure to keep your GPS maps up to date. This past weekend we went from Boston to Montreal for the Woman's World Cup and the U2 concert. I have drive this route probably 20 times, but had not in a number of years. On the way up while following the GPS I missed the sign for a new highway that would have saved me 10-15 min, in my defense they only had one sign and it was located maybe 300ft before the on ramp and it was raining. I had even updated my maps mid-April for a trip from Boston to TN and the new road was not on there so I'm not sure when it was opened.

 

[tobikaye]

Before leaving, I use online maps, mostly Google, to get an idea of where I am going. I usually print out a map with at least 1 set of directions. Then I usually use my phone to give me directions. Lately, I have used Waz with good success.

If I want to go a specific route using an app on my phone, I just go that way and it usually updates.

 

[mondragon]

Car GPS. gives me traffic and alternate routes if there is traffic

 

[canadiankim]

I use a TomTom in the car but usually have a look at the route on either Google Maps or MapQuest. I have never heard of Waze but wondered how much data do the phone apps use?

I will only have a limited amount of data travelling from Canada (too expensive to have a lot!) but would like to have the ability to know if there are road works or congestion ahead.

 

[pooch]

Ok, I'm old. I hate using on line anything for directions. Give me a good ole map & I can get you anywhere. As a PP said, I need the visual to orient myself.

 

[Jedana]

For those that drive any distance to Florida, what do you use? My MIL gave me a TomTom but I'm sitting here playing with it and it just seems too confusing. It doesn't want to configure the route I want to go. Seriously, what happened to just using a frigging map?

For those that print off directions from online, what do you find better: MapQuest or Google Maps?

Or do you use the maps you buy at the gas station?

We check with Google Maps at home, and then use the GPS on the road. I have the Google maps printed out, in case the GPS does something funky, like have us drive into a residential area when we're trying to reach a business on the other side of town.