Do you still use paper maps?

I have always kept a state map in my vehicle -until I didn't. Got a new truck and never put a map in it, because when was the last time I looked at a map? A paper map anyway.

I had to travel across the state on a highway I don't travel. Iowa had been hit by a deracho the evening before. Guess what. NO cell service, no internet service, no power, no nothin' zip zero nada... nothing. Also no road signs. They had all been blown down. So I was trying to get out of Cedar Rapids to go south east. I could handle going south east, but on what frickin' road. There is a lot of them going out of CR. I didn't guess right the first time, and I finally saw a road sign pointing out the milage to towns and knew - whoopsie, this ain't it! I did get over to where I need to be, but I am glad it was daytime.

I love maps. I used to spend time reading maps, just looking at where things are, etc. But, I no longer have a paper map in the car. We used to have that huge Thomas Guide Book. Even in the house, we have no current paper maps. I have some old ones that I keep for art purposes. If we are going somewhere that might not have cell service, we'll study the map beforehand, and jot down main highways, streets, etc.

ETA - When I drive, I don't use GPS. I use Google or Apple map without the talking. I tried the talking part and it either annoys me, or I can't hear it. 

Yes, the Washington coast (and many other places) have spotty cell service, so I have an atlas in the car.  I also have an Oregon atlas if we happen to be going that direction although I probably need to get an updated one...

Paper maps, no.
Directions I've written, yes.

If and when I am on a road trip, I always write down some basic directions (take the 123 north to the 345, then go west on the 567, then get on  the 789 north, then get off on exit 12 and go left (east), etc..._ past the walmart, hotel is about two down on the left, etc...

Same thing if I am going across the city to somewhere I haven't been.

There's not always a signal, especially in more desolate areas or there are dead zones.....so I at least like to have a backup plan.

Using the phone map and directions can quickly drain the battery. I usually use my basic hand written directions to get the the general vicinity of where I need to go, then I turn on the phone map.

The phone map, sometimes sends the driver on the quickest route, which sometimes may be a less travelled route.
If I am on a road trip by myself, I prefer to use the more heavily travelled route (even if it takes longer or is several miles more).......rather than take a less travelled or more remote >> mountain pass, rural road,  two lane road through the middle of nowhere, etc...

You have just described one of the ONLY scenarios where I could find my way home without a map, lol! Eastern Iowa, Northern IL, I'm good. Limited parts of PA.

The rest of the world, it's hopeless.

Not often but I'm a good map reader and used to be the one with the map while Dh drove in the days before sat nav. I did used to keep a paper map of the country in my car and I liked to use that to get an overview of where I was heading, approx locations en route, basic directions etc before heading off with the sat nav. I think I lost it when we sold my last car.

We still have a couple of the big atlas maps at home but not in the car. The last time I had a printed map book in the car was two cars ago. I don’t really go to too many unfamiliar places that would require a map anymore. I do use the GPS on my phone pretty regularly. I got a wireless Bluetooth thing to plug into my car so the Apple or Google maps automatically show up on the screen in my car without needing to always have it plugged in.

I only use one when I am cutting it up for paper crafting purposes.

I'm in western Iowa, where the roads are few... LOL Was going from CR to Clinton - wasn't too hard to figure it out once I could find a sign on a road that wasn't blown down. But damn - I was lost for a bit! I usually traveled HWY 30 and had taken 20 this time. The 20 exit was under construction, so you had to take a different road. What road? Have no idea! No signs and no idea where I was going -but I knew I was going in the right general direction!

You had only the smell of Quaker oats and meth cooking to guide you from one stench to the next...🤣

Yes - just in case cell service is down or an unexpected detour with horrible signs!

yes.. I always have a paper map with me as we are. often in places with no cell reception I always have a paper map when hiking and backpacking. paper doesn't fail.. electronics do. all my 30'ish old kids know how to read a variety of maps.

I haven't used a paper map in probably 20 years. 

Back when you printed Mapquest, I did that.  But even so, I haven't done that since who knows when.

I haven't ever not been able to find my way, even with no service.  Maybe took a wrong turn here or there. But nothing bad.


NOW drive with my mom.  2 GPSs going on.. two cell phones with GPS AND Rand McNally by her side.  It's like driving the circus around.  And I am not kidding.  Literally could have four GPSs running at the same time.  Her car, her plug in, my phone and her phone.  AND the paper map. God I love my mamma!!  

ETA:  We do have paper maps for backroad ATV riding.  I forgot about those.  You don't want to be caught dead without a paper map.  9 times out of 10 there isn't service, or spotty.  

Also if I am going somewhere that is really different, I will look up the route (on my phone beforehand and jot down simple instructions)

I live in the mountains and cell service will disappear in a lot of spots. Also, I don't have unlimited data. I do have a paper map of El Paso somewhere with Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Joanns highlighted! But then, we haven't been there since 2013. I also have printouts of certain parts of Las Cruces for when we go down there. The other towns are small enough that we can usually find things anyway! I have looked at a map when I need to find something in Roswell, and did have to find a map on the phone before we headed a few places when our three towns were evacuated to there a week in June. None of our vehicles are new enough to have a screen and we don't have GPS.