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Navigation and travelling to new places
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Was just curious to know about other people's navigation skills and their experiences travelling to new places. Does it come easy or do some find it difficult? How much planning do you do if you're travelling to a place you've never been before? Sorry if I come across as a total novice here but that's because I am!
I've only been driving a relatively short time and the only time I get a bit apprehensive is if I'm travelling to places I haven't been before. I'm clueless when it comes to motorways and things. In fact I'm thinking of getting satnav.
It seems many find travelling the length and breadth of the country easy. I'd like to be able to do the same. Anyone got any tips for navigating around or is it just a case of you picking up the experience the more you do it? Are you the sort of person who just goes 100% with satnav or do you like to know exactly where you're going without such aids? Or are you a person who hates travelling to new places and gets lost easily? Any tips or advice is very welcome, thanks. |
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I like to have a look at map/directions so I have an idea before I set off and I have a map/sat nav thingy on my phone if needed.
Not been driving v long either but I enjoy the adventure ... if I get lost or go wayward I don't mind, I'll get there eventually lol |
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Hiya!
It comes with experience.
What I usually do now, is:
Have a quick study of a map to find out the general orientation of places. I draw up a line in my mind which represents which way I'm going. I try to memoriese the motorway names which I need.
At the end of the journey, I rely on my satnav. |
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I've been driving nearly 2 years now, right from the beginning I just started driving to new places. Within a week of passing I drove 50 miles to a union meeting down the M25.
If you are nervous, do the Pass Plus.
I use a sat nav at the end of the journey to find the more local un signposted places, but usually just use road signs. |
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i have never had a sat nav apart from one that we got given in work which i lobbed out of the van window in frustration after a week. get youself an up to date road map and use that. look at google maps before you go on a pre-planned journey. if you're using the motorways check the number of the junction you need to leave at or change motorways at before you set off. the more you use the road network the more you understand it. stop and ask people for directions, a bit of human interaction is always nice. if you get lost don't panic, just use the oppotunity to explore if you have time. oh, and be aware of where the sun is in the sky for the time of day (when there is some sun to be seen) you can pretty much tell if you're heading in the right direction just from that. |
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I drive up and down the country every day for my job and am quite good with my geography knowledge  usually know a rough route but always use my built in sat Navy even if I know the route but mainly because I like to see the miles counting down so it doesn't seem to drag on as much |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My ex was the same as you OP about driving to new places and he's been driving for years.
He bought a sat nav and says it made a world of difference.
I named the sat nav Phoebe |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Never had a sat nav,just a look at a map and road signs.you can just about get anywhere using the m1,m6,m5,m4,A1,m62.That's just about most of the country covered. |
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just enjoy it. if you have time keep off the main roads and explore a bit. if you see summut interesting stop and get out. you find some right nice little places like that. i had an old classic lorry i used to travel in that would do 45mph max so i never used the motorways or dual carraige ways. i saw so much more that way and learned all the back road routes that are handy when main roads and motorways are gridlocked. try not to use sat-nav or you'll end up relying on it too much and it won't be quite so much of an adventure. |
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I drive by fatnav .. Primarily using the sun to give orientation then Signposts closer to destination. Then if all else fails ... Ask directions... If you want to know the way ask estate agents.. They sometimes give you little maps too |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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We have a GPS that has maps of the US, UK, and 46 countries in and around Europe. We love our GPS.
Otherwise, I just ask Marc where to go. He is amazing at directions and spacial reasoning. He tells me I'd get lost going in a straight line. 
-Courtney |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting  |
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"I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting "
 It's nice hearing peoples stories and tips. Makes me feel less apprehensive about it all. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think I must have been a racing pigeon in a previous life 
I've an excellent sense of direction, and never admit to being lost 
Probably why I ended up being a cartographer
I only use satnav for when I'm driving through an unfamiliar city. But only need it the once |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting "
We are totally going to get one of those voices for ours, now
-Courtney |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting
It's nice hearing peoples stories and tips. Makes me feel less apprehensive about it all."
If you are planning to drive somewhere you haven't been before go through the route a few times, I sometimes use Google maps on my laptop to familiarise myself with motorways and junctions |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I work in transport and logistics and wouldn't be without my Tom Tom but as another poster has mentioned it all counts down the journey time which I like to beat the eta aswell |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting "
How does Katie P pronounce all of the Welsh town names ? |
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"I bought a Tom tom when I used to travel around North Wales and the midlands for work, I would have never of found half the places otherwise, I downloaded new voices for it, One of them was supposed to be Katie Price I think and she used to say things like "take the next left big boy" or "You have arrived at your destination now get your cock out while I suck you off" It made the driving a little more interesting
How does Katie P pronounce all of the Welsh town names ? "
Very badly I imagine |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I like to get a map and plan a route. If we are walking the map and compass . If I am driving a post it note with various rout tips on .
I am a map geek |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I look at maps and print out directions that I can quickly look at while driving. (Big print, in very short bullet points.)
I also use the Google man/ Street View or whatever the heck it's called. I even do this when walking somewhere new. You can see what the streets look like and I find it really helps as you know what the area looks like before you go, and what to watch out for.
I also use SatNav but as backup really.
If I get lost I just turn round and go back to the nearest place that made some sort of sense- such as a major road or a motorway. I also make sure I have plenty of petrol before I set off for if (when!) I get lost. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have no sense of direction and often take the wrong road driving around a city I've been living in for years. I'm pretty good finding my way to places i haven't been before. I use Google maps on my phone and have rarely got lost using it. |
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Get the map out or go online, find a decent route the note down the roads I will need, along with any landmarks I will pass if I can easily gleam it the distance involved as well.
Worked for me on the motorcycle when I first went out and about. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I used to be fearless and would drive anywhere with a quick look at a map book and off I would go...now I have to use a Satnav everywhere and always get lost using it! I fear I have become stupid because of technology and that my sense of direction went south long ago  |
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Op - consider getting some tuition.
I like to know my planned route in advance. Eg, M6, A14 etc.
My phone offers me free maps and voice guided satnav for life, so is a great help.
It's important never to panic or do rash things. You almost miss an exit off a motorway? Drive onwards and return later - don't dash across 3 lanes of carriageway, causing potential death (being late, lost etc is all ok). |
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"I used to be fearless and would drive anywhere with a quick look at a map book and off I would go...now I have to use a Satnav everywhere and always get lost using it! I fear I have become stupid because of technology and that my sense of direction went south long ago "
are you sure it was south  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Study a map. Just the major roads. Know what goes to where and major towns etc.
Get a sat nav. A Garmin Nuvi is a good model. Lane guidance, points of interest and voice commands all help make the journey easier.
My best piece of advice though. Getting lost is just part of the journey and all roads lead somewhere.
But |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I used to be fearless and would drive anywhere with a quick look at a map book and off I would go...now I have to use a Satnav everywhere and always get lost using it! I fear I have become stupid because of technology and that my sense of direction went south long ago
are you sure it was south "
With my sense of direction theres every chance it wasn't lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have a sat nav on th ebike permanty although I generally tend to use Google maps to get it in my mind which way Im sort of going if its somewhere new.
If I'm just out for a random ride , whether its in this country or aborad) the sat nav is useful as a get me home tool.
In this country also worth remembering that generally speaking odd numbered roads run North-South and even numbered roads run East -West |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I swore I'd never have a satnav, but have found one very useful in the 2 years I've had my current car. I still refer to old school road atlases to get a rough idea of a route and am lucky that I have a pretty good sense of direction so whether in a car or on foot, I rarely get lost. It freaks my kids out. "But HOW do you know....?!". When going on longer journeys, OP, I'd make a quick note of the motorways, junctions and towns I'd need and keep it on the dashboard. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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its weird, if I'm travelling by public transport I plan it methodically ~ if I'm driving myself I kind of wing it, very bad habit which has resulted me being 'rescued' s few times when I've got lost.
I use a SatNav on my iPhone which isn't great, I should really invest in a TomTom. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I swore I'd never have a satnav, but have found one very useful in the 2 years I've had my current car. I still refer to old school road atlases to get a rough idea of a route and am lucky that I have a pretty good sense of direction so whether in a car or on foot, I rarely get lost. It freaks my kids out. "But HOW do you know....?!". When going on longer journeys, OP, I'd make a quick note of the motorways, junctions and towns I'd need and keep it on the dashboard."
Oddly one of the most useful aspects I find with the sat nav is the predicted arrival time even (or possibly more so) on routes I do regularly.
Find it helps me to pace myself |
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We always use something like Google maps to check the route and travelling times.
We sometimes use satnav. Frisky has a gamin and I use my phone...
One of the bad things with satnav's is that people follow them blindly...
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"Towing a trailer and navigating the Moroccan border at Ceuta is high on my list of achievements. "
that town is soooo high up on the devils areshole thread ..... a true shit hole
and algerciras ain't far behind |
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"Towing a trailer and navigating the Moroccan border at Ceuta is high on my list of achievements.
that town is soooo high up on the devils areshole thread ..... a true shit hole
and algerciras ain't far behind"
I don't mind telling you the border experience is one I hope never to repeat. 
A western woman driving a Range Rover surrounded by men did not go unnoticed. Scary didn't cover it and then there's so much dodgy stuff going on its quite possibly the least safe I've ever felt. Morocco was an amazing experience after I'd got over the initial shock to the system. |
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"I drove from Edinburgh to Marrakech... it's fair to say I'm happy to drive pretty much anywhere.
Towing a trailer and navigating the Moroccan border at Ceuta is high on my list of achievements. "
I'm genuinely impressed. If I had a hat I'd take it off to you. One hell of an experience I'd imagine. |
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"I drove from Edinburgh to Marrakech... it's fair to say I'm happy to drive pretty much anywhere.
Towing a trailer and navigating the Moroccan border at Ceuta is high on my list of achievements.
I'm genuinely impressed. If I had a hat I'd take it off to you. One hell of an experience I'd imagine."
Thanks lovely... it was an amazing trip and we raised a lot for charity. Learnt a lot too. |
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"I swore I'd never have a satnav, but have found one very useful in the 2 years I've had my current car. I still refer to old school road atlases to get a rough idea of a route and am lucky that I have a pretty good sense of direction so whether in a car or on foot, I rarely get lost. It freaks my kids out. "But HOW do you know....?!". When going on longer journeys, OP, I'd make a quick note of the motorways, junctions and towns I'd need and keep it on the dashboard."
Yes, I'm the same - I can just keep track of the 'right direction' somehow. I used to simply make a list of turnings before I travelled, I have no problem with maps, but the SatNav has made me very lazy.  |
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