The GPS Got Me

[CR_CRUISER]

It finally happened. We were headed down the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon. It was dark and raining. We'd been driving for 6 hours and just about to the Campground I had programmed into the GPS. The map showed to turn right in 500 feet. It then said turn right here. So I turned right.

It didn't look quite like a road that a State campground would be on but I followed it anyways. It got narrower then turned to gravel and ended a mile later at a locked gate (into the back of the campground).
I wound up having to back up the whole way, about a mile, out to the highway. I then had to back out onto Highway 101. The correct entrance was another 1/4 mile down the road.

The GPS got turned off for the rest of the trip.

[Horizon170]

Always have a plan B, i.e. map printout, maps, etc. GPS units will get you close to the destination in most cases.
I absolutely dread trying to find the CG at night.

[bdpreece]

My best GPS story is on two different occasions ours has had us exit an interstate and run on county roads for a mile or so then put us back on the freeway. Another time it said turn right on a highway in the middle of the desert with no roads in site and when we did not turn it kept saying make a legal U turn at the next legal turn available.

[CA_Traveler]

Years ago we headed to Dead Horse Ranch State Park from the RV park we were camped at. GPS told us to turn right and we did. Ended up on a dead end road.

I know several people that have taken that same dead end.

[Community Alumni]

I have a Garmin and I learned a long time ago not to trust it since it contains errors. I encountered a similar situation last year when going to a campground in the Sierras and the GPS was telling me to take some dirt back-road to get to the campground when I knew the entrance was right next to the highway.

[azjeffh]

Ranger Smith wrote:

azjeffh wrote:
Guess it's better to blame it on the GPS than the wife 🙂

Surprised a state campground wouldn't have a "turn here" sign.

It didn't it was the GPS that told him to turn there

Actually, I don't believe the OP said there was no sign, just that he followed the GPS instructions.

Years ago we headed to Dead Horse Ranch State Park from the RV park we were camped at. GPS told us to turn right and we did. Ended up on a dead end road.

After turning around and heading down the highway, we realized the turnoff had moved a few hundred yards closer than the GPS turnoff. While the turnoff had moved, our maps (which were Garmin current) weren't current.

The funny thing was with 4 adults in the vehicle we drove right by the signs announcing the park and didn't notice. We all laughed at our mistake.

[Robin1953]

Just a question. Were these truck/RV specific GPS units or ones for auto use only?

[wildtoad]

I've had the GPS tell me my destination is ahead on the right when the entrance was on the left. Had them tell me to take the next right only to find an overgrown barrier with a sign stating Road Closed - and had been for quite a number of years.

[cochise49]

Ditto on the Satellite view in Google Maps. Did the same thing several years ago. Had to back up to a highway. I also use the Sat view to check out potential fueling places to see if I can get the RV and toad in and out OK. We all know how harrowing some of those places can be. Used to have a DP. Worked out ok since I could just go where the semis go. Now have a large gasser. I use RV lanes at Flying J whenever possible. Otherwise it's a******shoot.

[Two_Hands]

My CEO/Navigator hates our gps so she often turns it off when she is unhappy with its directions. However, when we were trying to find Liberty Harbor RV Park in New Jersey we kept going down the wrong city streets until I turned the gps back on. We followed its directions and it took us quickly to the park. In Vermont my CEO refused to turn on the gps and we spent an hour trying to find the campground. I like the gps, but you must use real paper maps and common sense.

[Ranger_Smith]

azjeffh wrote:
Guess it's better to blame it on the GPS than the wife 🙂

Surprised a state campground would have a "turn here" sign.

It didn't it was the GPS that told him to turn there

[camperpaul]

I always confirm the gps directions with Google Maps, set fo "Satellite View".

You were lucky.

Imagine following your GPS receiver or Mapquest directions and at the end of the road there are two Jarheads with sub-machine guns telling you that you can't enter the controlled zone and you have to turn around (it's 24 feet between the curbs).

When I was a host at IBSP, I got two or three calls per week from people who were in that predicament.

[azjeffh]

Guess it's better to blame it on the GPS than the wife 🙂

Surprised a state campground wouldn't have a "turn here" sign.

[Road_Runners]

CR CRUISER wrote:
It finally happened. We were headed down the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon. It was dark and raining. We'd been driving for 6 hours and just about to the Campground I had programmed into the GPS. The map showed to turn right in 500 feet. It then said turn right here. So I turned right.

It didn't look quite like a road that a State campground would be on but I followed it anyways. It got narrower then turned to gravel and ended a mile later at a locked gate (into the back of the campground).
I wound up having to back up the whole way, about a mile, out to the highway. I then had to back out onto Highway 101. The correct entrance was another 1/4 mile down the road.

The GPS got turned off for the rest of the trip.

I been there. Done that too. Now if I am in doubt I call the campground. Cell phones are good for something.

[camper19709]

That is exactly the reason I have no use for a GPS 🙂