Going on long trip... which GPS to use?

[cpals]

So we're doing a long road trip most likely in October from SW Florida to Chicago. I have a few different GPS choices and I'm not sure which one would be the most accurate and best for a long trip passing through multiple states.

Choices:
1. Garmin nüvi 785T
2. Waze (iPhone 5)
3. Google Maps (iPhone 5)

The Garmin I have lifetime maps so can update it to the latest when we leave and wasn't sure if Waze would help for going through multiple states or only the more populated cities.

 

[notposting]

Well, the majority of the trip would be via interstate I assume, should be pretty easy. Throw the Garmin on the dash, doublecheck any city stops with Google maps. Easy peasy.

 

[cpals]

What about in-city... never been to Chicago before. I would think Waze could possibly be more helpful if there are a lot of users up there. Don't know though.

 

[vshah]

i'd use google maps for traffic rerouting etc. waze might be fun to play with for a while as well. throw away the dinosaur garmin

 

[zerocool84]

Google is going to be the most up to date but unless you manually download the areas you're going to, you'll need a data connection. Garmin would probably be better when you're on the long interstates with little to no Internet.

 

[zerogear]

I find that Garmin routing is much better than Google Maps at least where I am.

 

[vshah]

Google is going to be the most up to date but unless you manually download the areas you're going to, you'll need a data connection. Garmin would probably be better when you're on the long interstates with little to no Internet.

all the driving i've done on interstates has always had at least a 2G connection, and this is on tmobile. if OP is on at&t or verizon, i think he'd be fine for data along the interstates.

 

[thescreensavers]

I have driven from Miami to Michigan and back twice using google maps with google navigation. No problem at all.

Once it has directions it keeps it. No matter if you lose reception its only if you go off route hit cant recalculate if you have no data.

 

[Red Storm]

I vote Google Maps. Say you're on route and decide you want to stop for something nearby. Or you want to move the map around and zoom in/out on potential alternate routes. A smartphone is so much easier to use and navigate than a clunky GPS. And using your iPhone means one less device to worry about. Convergence!

 

[Midwayman]

You'll want something that stores map data local and can plan a route without data if you get outside of cities. Nothing like stopping navigation when you pull over for a bathroom break in the middle of nowhere and not being able to plan a route again.

Waze is great if you're sure you'll have data. All sorts of cop warnings, speed camera warnings, etc. Works best in bigger cities where you have a critical mass of users though.

 

[gmaster456]

It doesn't really matter what you use. Florida to Shitcago is a pretty easy drive as is. Take 75 to chatnooga, 24 to nashville and 65 the rest of the way. Whatever you pick should be fine. It's a pretty basic route. Hell even Apple maps would probably be fine.