I guess I'm showing my age......

[suprz]

Is there anyone else that just can't get into using trip planning software when wanting to map out a trip? Ok, I use my garmin, and I use google maps to get from point A to point B, but when taking a roadtrip and wanting to see what is off the main roads, etc... I just find that for me, to have a good ol fold up paper map / road atlas is better....

[Shot-N-Az]

My GPS is akin to watching a sporting event through a drinking straw. My atlas gives me a feel for where I am in the world.

[suprz]

Well, so far I have 3 books on my list of things to get.... A rand mcnally road atlas, the "next exit" book, and "off the beaten path" book

[amandasgramma]

🙂 We have folding maps, 2 atlases (don't ask why), Microsoft Streets and trips on my laptop, DeLorme topographical on hubby's (good for elevations, etc) AND 2 GPSs......why 2?? Because I hate his and he hates mine. Do we still get lost.....yes

[TexasShadow]

I still use paper maps and have a truckers atlas stashed next to my seat so I can check out possibles ahead while we're in route.
I use a de lorme map program at home to hunt routes and then google earth to view sites from the sky.
ain't technology (old and new) great? 🙂

[2oldman]

map and compass

[BB_TX]

I also still like paper maps and atlas. I like to just open them up and look at all the various possibilities. But I do use google maps for most of my trip planning. I like to use the google street view and satellite view to review smaller roads I am not familiar with.

And as far as the GPS, I use it primarily for the estimated time of arrival feature, distance to next turn, and upcoming lane changes for turns on multiple lane highways. Although I also do use it for a specific address in an unfamiliar area.

[skipnchar]

When I use maps at all, they are usually paper maps for planning. MOST of the time my planning amounts to deciding which direction we'll be traveling in and the rest of it is done dead reckoning style with a paper map used only to see what's on the route as we travel along. Never have seen any benefit to using GPS on the open road but it's a BIG benefit when navigating to a specific point in a metropolitan area. Watching the road simply go on and on doesn't seem to be very valuable to me 🙂

[camperpaul]

I use Google to find attractions along the route from point "A" to point "B".

Search on: "what to see and do in (name of city/town)".

e.g. "what to see and do in racine wi"

[Stefonius]

I'm firmly in your camp. I use internet maps to do my initial route scouting and trip planning, but once I'm on the road I prefer to have an atlas. I refuse to get a GPS, much to DW's chagrin.

[mockturtle]

I love maps and atlases! I get my Benchmarks out and read them just for pleasure.:) The only use I have found for my GPS is for traveling through cities to help me know which lane to get into well before my exit. Traveling through cities is something I avoid when possible. But I do use MS Streets & Trips for planning and find it very useful.

[Oasisbob]

No school like old school.

[bob_nestor]

I'm in the same category - I use maps and "follow my nose" to get me there or get me lost; I use Garmin to get me un-lost.

My trip planning is having a destination and a rough path to get there. If I find interesting things along the way I will go off-route to investigate, experience and explore. Don't need an application telling me I need to be at point X by time Y because I have reservations Z.

[WyoTraveler]

I carry the truckers Atlas but I find myself using gps software more and more on my laptop.

[artguys]

Life can be lonely, but not when you have a fold-up map...your'e not alone. My choice is the atlas with many pages to peruse.