Google Maps? Locally stored maps?

[HadEnough]

Planning to go "wherever" in the USA and am concerned I'll lose signal (and therefore navigation ability using Google Maps) as I get into some much less populated areas.

I have Verizon.

Is this a legitimate concern?

What's the latest everyone is doing to navigate in the middle of nowhere?

Coming from boats, this is a core requirement of mine; not getting lost or stranded in the middle of nowhere.

[GordonThree]

2gypsies wrote:

Google Maps: Once you have a beginning and ending route, can you add vias to go the way YOU want to go? How?

You'll need a desktop or laptop to do this. It's a Google product called "My Maps"

You plan your route however you want on the computer and when you save the map, it will show up on your phone or tablet.

[GordonThree]

Check the android app store for mapping apps... there's more than just the free Google Maps out there, and some of them are better.

I forget the name of the one I'm using, it was $9 on the app store. I can download as many as I want in any size and different maps too, like topographic. Adding a micro SD card to your phone or tablet is highly recommended, the topo maps eat space fast.

Sometimes the maps show ATV trails, hiking trails, visible landmarks, even dispersed campsites... Google never shows this kind of information.

[2gypsies1]

We use Delorme Street Atlas which doesn't require internet. You can buy it with it's own dedicated GPS or you can transfer maps to your Garmin.

Google Maps: Once you have a beginning and ending route, can you add vias to go the way YOU want to go? How?

[Johno02]

Get a good GPS that comes with free updates for life. For what you are planning, I would get one of the larger screen ones, as you can see more of the map. A mapping program like MS Streets and trips on you computer is good, but no longer available. DeLorme sells a good one, there are others available. A current trucker atlas with laminated pages is really good to have, but lacks a lot of detail for off-road. State road maps work but need to be replaced every year or two.

[Naio]

I don't know. I found the size too small, too! I wonder if some third party has made a downloader?

There are also apps like usatopo.

I would think in a month you would sometimes stray into cell coverage;)

[HadEnough]

Naio wrote:
You can download Google maps to use offline (it's a menu item in the app).

I also carry paper maps. I like them better for finding back roads.

I've seen that.

I used the feature once and it seemed to download just a small area.

I'm imagining say... going deep into the desert somewhere out west.

I'm already used to being self sufficient for a month or 2. Plan to do similar things once in a while in the new TC.

I used to like paper maps (and charts on boats) better, but the more recent versions of electronic work so much better for me. They also don't go out of date. I update them for free before major trips.

Can you download say.... "Nevada" on Google Maps and keep it locally?

[Naio]

The other thing is that getting lost in a car is not like getting lost on a boat. There are roads :).

You can always turn around and find someone to ask (or a cell signal). If broken down, you can flag down a passing car.

If you like to into the really wild places, do carry tools, water, food, repair manual, etc. But in an RV you will have your survival stuff handy anyway!

[gbopp]

You could always go 'old school' and use paper maps. They have never left me down or lost the signal.
GPS is a nice tool but, not always accurate.

[Naio]

You can download Google maps to use offline (it's a menu item in the app).

I also carry paper maps. I like them better for finding back roads.

[2oldman]

gps