Why does this happen so often on the left coast?

wilber1 wrote:
Never, ever select the shortest distance option.

Well, I'll qualify that. On my GPS you can select "No unpaved roads" Do that and then shortest distance is much safer. In fact when I'm towing I always use the "no unpaved roads" option.

why so many folks get lost out west vs east????

Well, the west has lots of FS roads that interconnect lots of major paved roadways. Many FS roads are pasable by passenger cars, many many others aren't. But gps if you make the wrong choices will try routing you on those for the shortest route.

And a hint, if your on or see a FS road. If the sign has the road numbers horizontal, the road should be passenger car passable in good weather. If the sign has the road numbers Vertical, then it is designated as high clearance 4wd passable. that should be clue #1.

And in the case of "high clearance" roads, the top of the sign will in most cases have the connecting passenger passable roadway number labeled horizontally in smaller type on the top.