Do you know how to read a real roadmap?

I actually prefer to use a road map than a gadget to direct me, there have been a few reports when these machines have given wrong directions. I think we rely too much on technology and less on our brains. If you give me a map and providing I was in my own country then yes I could plot a route, mind you I do find the roadsigns useful as well as a navigational aid so I am going in the right direction. Providing they are Motorways and A roads I am fine, it's the B roads that get me, especially if I am going somewhere for the first time. It is a good skill to have, young or old.

i dont think majority of the people in my country are not yet fimiliar with GPS.. so we use still real roadmap.. and me.. i usually am the one who 'navigates' while my husband drives.. so i think i could still survive using a roadmap.. it may take me some time to try and figure out where i am at in the first place, but once you got that sorted out.. reading a roadmap is quite easy, i think..

I can read a real roadmap. Mind you I would rather look out the window and see the signs, and I really hate folding up the roadmap. What we usually do is print out a map from Mapquest, etc. but when we go on a trip we will buy a roadmap of that particular city or area, and try to find the shortest route. I hate doing it though especially when I think it is easier to see where you are going by watching the scenery and seeing the landmarks. then I have a husband who wants me to figure out the mileage between this and that and this and that, and the other places, and me not being good at math.

I use paper road maps or an atlas many times when traveling. I have driven across the country many times. After awhile, I start to memorize the routes. But when traveling an area for the first time, a road map is very helpful. 1,000 miles is nothing to me. That is a day's drive. I am looking at moving in the next few month's. I will be traveling 2,200 miles minimum to get to where I am going. I will be teaching my daughter how to read the maps as we go. She has learned how to read maps in school. It is different to put that knowledge into real world application. It will be a good experience for my daughter. We will also have the laptop and wi-fi service, so she can compare the paper maps to the internet maps.

Well, yes... i know how to read a real road map... it would be a shame not to because i thought Geography for a couple of years... and i made it a point to teach my students the basic rudiments of reading a map... even required them to make one... from their home the the school...

Good question, Bethany1202....but I would have to reverse it, do I have trouble operating a GPS....Why, yes! A traditional road map, I am old enough to read, as simply as a novel....but the GPS!, is another world! Last summer, twice I travelled with my son, whom is outfitted in his vehicle with a GPS, and he truly got frustrated with me, as I had a traditional map out...and truly, I argued with the GPS vs. my map! The GPS would read something, the map something else, and of course, I argued that the map was right! Give me a road map, I'll find my way there and back....and furthermore, I found the voice that was used on his GPS truly annoying! Cheers!

I have never given a try for 1000 miles, but I can manage for 50/60 kilometres. Especially, I have managed many trekking that way.

yes I can read them to a point, but I don't really read maps very well, better than I used to be though, only I don't drive so really I never really had to learn.

I learned to map read when I was still in school (a very long time ago) and I still much prefer to use a paper map to find my way about a strange place. I have used GPS, but only as a boat navigator when it was very useful in bringing me into harbour in the dark! I'm also blessed with a good sense of direction and I am quite capable of studying a map for a few minutes and then proceeding directly to my destination without needing to consult the map again. I did that in Milan once when I arrived in the city by train I was expecting to be met at the railway station and taken to the youth hostel were I would be staying. However, no - one turned up and I had no idea how to get across the city to the hostel, though I did know the name of the street that the hostel was on. I wandered about for a bit until I found an information office which was closed, but they had a map of the city in the window. I spent several minutes studying this, found where I was on the map, located the street where the hostel was and noted the route between the two. With that information in my head, I set off walking and arrived at my destination without any trouble. You might ask: why not just take a taxi? where's the fun in that though?

If it is the first time youll be going to a place it is quite difficult but if familiar it is just easy to go in there. Yes, I noticed that also, many dont know how to follow or locate street maps. That must be taught in school, primary school. I dont know of any school of course from my place that includes teaching how to use the map. I am a librarian before so I know how to.

I can read real road maps, but I know many people who can't, or have lost their knack for it due to today's technologies. Growing up, my family used to drive a lot of places, rather than fly, because there were so many of us, and my dad was really big on making sure us kids each got the chance to read the directions to him, and he made sure we learned how to read a map and open our eyes to multiple ways of getting from point a to point b, based on what we saw. It's been incredibly helpful, even in today's world where everything is made simple by GPS. I have a better sense of direction because of it, and have been able to get out of binds while traveling, thanks to the use of a real, paper map :) Thanks Dad!

not only can I read them but I own one for every state that I have ever been in. My husband does not like to fly and so we drive and I am incharge of the maps. I love maps, they make the distace seem real. I also work with my neices and nephews with the maps so they can see on a map the places that we have been together.

Well I must say I could do this with ease :O) a drive a lorry all over Eruop at the moment :O)

Bethany1202 Girl that pic is too cut.... Yeap can read a map a little bit when I moved from my home town after 40 years to another state and knew not a one I had to learn a little bit. But girl I still get so lost map or no map. I usually find my way and all when you know your sense of directions and see how street run. But I am the queen of getting lost although I do stop for help.

I've been able to read a map since the age of 13 or so so I'd have no difficulty in navigating any distance with just a paper map.

This sounds crazy but I struggl ewith my left and right which makes reading roadmaps very confusing fo rme. Have you ever seen that episode of friends where Joey is in London and he has to step in to the map. That is pretty much like what I have to do. I do hate the electronic things though as they say which direction to turn and I have to keep reminding myself which way is left and which way is right.

I could drive 1000 miles or from East coast to West coast with just a roadmap. I learned how to read maps at a very young age. And I still keep one in my car, particularly if I move to a new state or city. Mapquest is fine, but those sites are not always correct. I looked up the area I used to live in in Texas, it had a highway going through what I know is a man's pasture! There is no highway there lol. GPS is fun to use, but it is after all a computer of sorts, and it's only as good as the programmer.

I'd still rather use my GPS to get me where I'm going. However, I can use a map or written directions to get me where I'm going, just as long as they're detailed. It's rather frustrating when you're trying to get somewhere, and you can't make heads or tails our of the directions you've been given. It's enough to make someone what to hurt someone. lol

I love maps of all types. I drove for years before GPS and always used paper maps. I do have GPS in my car but I also have a road atlas just in case! I know that I could do that 1,000 mile drive. You buy the gas and I'll drive the car! ALL children should learn how to read a map as well as an analogue watch.

My dad made me start learning when I was four. Now I'm 22 and I feel I could get anywhere with just a map. I have traveled around Europe with just a map and with the language barrier I have been lost a lot, but it is such a fun way to challenge yourself.