Community Forums

RV Vagabond · 06-23-2021, 07:28 PM

I use Google Maps which I really like, but it does not show which roads are unpaved, and I have several times found myself having to drive long distances on dirt/gravel roads, caking my motorhome with dust.

Is there a good map app or website that does show which roads are paved and which are not?

Massparanoia · 06-23-2021, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

I use Google Maps which I really like, but it does not show which roads are unpaved, and I have several times found myself having to drive long distances on dirt/gravel roads, caking my motorhome with dust.

Is there a good map app or website that does show which roads are paved and which are not?

old fashioned paper road atlas

twogypsies · 06-23-2021, 09:22 PM

Benchmark series of individual state atlases are excellent. We started out with DeLorme's but found Benchmark much easier to read and pick out details. The thickness of the printing of the road determines if it's paved or not. They also have lots of public land information.

F4Gary · 06-23-2021, 09:34 PM

RV Vagabond · 06-23-2021, 09:41 PM

THAT'S NICE GUYS BUT...... I am not about to use paper maps. I need to zoom in to more detail, plus use a website or app that gets updated regularly.

Hurricane-TX · 06-23-2021, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

THAT'S NICE GUYS BUT...... I am not about to use paper maps. I need to zoom in to more detail, plus use a website or app that gets updated regularly.

Why not?

F4Gary · 06-23-2021, 09:51 PM

I'm out. Good luck.

GFC · 06-23-2021, 10:55 PM

Hmmmm, Gen Z?

Massparanoia · 06-24-2021, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

THAT'S NICE GUYS BUT...... I am not about to use paper maps. I need to zoom in to more detail, plus use a website or app that gets updated regularly.

When I need to zoom in on the road atlas I just hold it closer to my face.

Fiesta48 · 06-24-2021, 04:00 AM

Never trust a GPS or technology. I've used paper all my life. It does not tell you to turn the wrong way, take you down dirt roads, take you to wrong locations. I preplan my routes on paper because Google maps does not always take you best way. ie wide RVs on narrow roads.

charliez · 06-24-2021, 05:21 AM

When I use Google maps, which I do often to plan my trips, I'll drop the street view guy on the road path to see it. I'll also drop him at intersections that I need to turn at so I can get a visual on what's around. I'll use it to see exit numbers as well. I might make a note to turn on Road whatever by the Cracker Barrel or whatever is at that intersection, or maybe when I see the Ford dealership, it's after that.

carl.swoyer · 06-24-2021, 05:27 AM

We use Good Sam's RV Atlas.

richard5933 · 06-24-2021, 05:31 AM

Garmin has 'avoidances' in their mapping system, and one of the avoidances is unpaved roads.

That said, learn to read a map. Need to zoom? Get a magnifying glass.

I use the Garmin & Google Maps for most initial work, and then I'll confirm the route on the Trucker's Atlas to make sure that the apps don't lead me astray.

Route planning is not easy, and there is no single foolproof way to do it.

Spidergawd · 06-24-2021, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Garmin has 'avoidances' in their mapping system, and one of the avoidances is unpaved roads.

That said, learn to read a map. Need to zoom? Get a magnifying glass.

I use the Garmin & Google Maps for most initial work, and then I'll confirm the route on the Trucker's Atlas to make sure that the apps don't lead me astray.

Route planning is not easy, and there is no single foolproof way to do it.

Yup. My RV660 knows where the unpaved roads are, and as Richard mentioned, there is a specific "avoidance" setting for them.