Do You Still Use Physical Maps? When Was The Most Recent Time You Used One?
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    19 years
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I ran across an article today about VHS, DVS and Blu-ray discs. Many people have switched tos streaming and don't have physical media.
Similarly, with navigation, we use smartphones/tablets/GNSS navigators, which have largely replaced paper maps, atlases, plat books, sectional charts and mapbooks.
However, when I Google this, I get this response:
Paper maps are not entirely vanishing; in fact, they are experiencing a niche resurgence. While digital GPS has replaced them for daily navigation, paper maps are increasingly popular for road trips, hiking, and as reliable, battery-free backups, with some reports showing sales growth in recent years.
Reasons for Resurgence: Increased travel, the need for a "big picture" perspective, and reliability in areas without cell service or power are key factors keeping paper maps relevant.
Continued Use: They are highly favored for backpacking, hiking, and in emergencies, often recommended by park officials and rescue teams.
Market Trends: Despite the rise of digital tools, some, like this source suggest a "revival" in popularity. However, sales generally remain lower than their peak pre-GPS era, note this article.
Where to Find Them: They remain available at tourist centers, national parks, bookstores (like Barnes & Noble), and specialty retailers.
While they are no longer the primary tool for daily, turn-by-turn navigation, paper maps persist as an essential tool for navigation, exploration, and, for many, a preference over screen-based directions.
Two of the hobbies that my wife and I enjoy are biking and ATV/UTVing. Both hobbies have their own navigational challenges. Some ATV/UTVers, who are experienced driving a conventional motor vehicle on traditional streets and highways, find off-road navigating a bit more challenging. The $1,000 iPhone, that does a great job getting them to Starbucks, doesn't always do so well on trails. Cell phone coverage and be spotty, or non-existent, and not all trails are well marked.
There can be similar challenges with biking, too. However, Google Maps does have a biking layer. (I have never seen an ATV/UTV layer.)
So, back to the subject line, do you still use paper maps/charts? When or why do you use them instead of a computer/tablet/smartphone/GPS?
Paper Maps
Most states have paper maps in their information centers, and many hotels will have a map of the city. I use the city maps for street intersections to load into my GPS.
Paper maps!
After I bought my first unit, an old monochrome Street Pilot back in the late 90s, I carried at least an atlas with us for at least five or six years when traveling. I never did need the paper map in those five or six years, so I stopped taking it with me, probably stopped around 2005-2006.
To this day I keep an atlas
To this day I keep an atlas in the car. Batteries have a finite lifespan, even a smartphone battery.
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams
Not any more but ...
Not any more but I still have a backpack full of book maps of the tri state area where I live. Wasn't a fan of folding paper maps as most of the time they were too general, I needed detail, so I used to get book maps that only covered one county for each of the counties I might be in.
I spent 30 years driving a truck for a living, making deliveries working construction collecting trash etc and most of my career was before GPS was really a thing. I watched GPS grow and become a thing and by the end of my career it was a vital tool, however I always kept the book maps as a backup.
Sad to see stand alone GPS fizzling out in favor of streaming map apps on a smartphone.
. 2 Garmin DriveSmart 61 LMT-S, Nuvi 2689, 2 Nuvi 2460, Uniden R3 radar detector with GPS built in, includes RLC info. Uconnect 430N Garmin based, built into my Jeep. .
Paper Maps
I'm a big fan of the Delorme Atlas books. I always carry a current copy for the states where I'm travelling.
The wife likes to get the "bigger picture" when we travel. GPS is great for navigation, but the small screen lacks detail when zoomed out to view a wider area.
They pack easily in a carry on bag for use on fly - drive vacations. They're great to use while flying or on a tour bus to get your bearings while looking out the window.
Used one this past weekend for a short trip in New York state.
Maps
I still carry an atlas when traveling but haven't really needed it for years
johnm405 660 & MSS&T
Every time I take a vacation out of state
I make a trip to my local AAA office and pick up maps for the state that I am going to be in. Just in case I lose cell phone reception or the GPS dies, I will be able to navigate to where I want to go. Of course, reading a paper map may be a dying way of navigating. I don’t know that a 20 or 30 year old would be capable of figuring out directions on a paper map.
"Everything I need can be found in the presence of God. Every. Single. Thing." Charley Hartmann 2/11/1956-6/11/2022
my wife and i
Use paper maps quite frequently. They give you the "big picture" of an area and are great for estimating distances or attractions.
Illiterate? Write for free help.
GPS radios and salt water don't get along well.
Sailors like hard copy backup maps since GPS radios and salt water don't get along well.
Do You Still Use Physical Maps?
Occasionally when canoeing and I need to see the "big" picture.
I have a Garmin Montana 700 handheld which I use when I canoe.
I have a Garmin Tread 2 for my vehicle.
...
Last time I used a physical map, it was the Thomas Guide, probably up to possibly the late 90's since I started using mapping GPS beginning with the Garmin eMap and then the GPS V
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Guide
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area
military maps
Roughly 30 years ago there was a period in which United States government would sell military maps from several of their series to the general public. I purchased quite a stack. I remember carrying one with me on a flight to Israel and carefully noting our passage over Thessaloniki and Cyprus. But I confess I haven't lifted a map off that stack in decades.
personal GPS user since 1992
site specific
I will pick up a physical map when hiking if there is low cell reception where my saved maps don't have enough definition.
Yep
Rand McNally atlas when traveling out of state.
.
When planning a trip my wife uses google maps to lay out out trip and marks notes, places to stop and eat, hotels and highlights the route. We then print it out, multiple pages, and it goes into a duotang. As we drive we can make notes on it and adjust for the return trip or a future trip to the same area.
Do You Still Use Physical Maps? When Was The Most Recent Time
...it goes into a duotang...
I learned a new word today.
A duotang (or Duo-Tang) is a Canadian English term for a lightweight folder with three metal prongs (or tangs) used to secure three-hole punched paper. Originally a brand name, it became a genericized term for these school and office staples, often made of paper cardstock or plastic. They are primarily used to organize school assignments.
That phrase
That phrase is about 70 years old
...it goes into a duotang...
I learned a new word today.
A duotang (or Duo-Tang) is a Canadian English term for a lightweight folder with three metal prongs (or tangs) used to secure three-hole punched paper. Originally a brand name, it became a genericized term for these school and office staples, often made of paper cardstock or plastic. They are primarily used to organize school assignments.
A month or so ago
Tends to help when it comes to a new, unfamiliar area, especially somewhere where I can't use Google Maps.
Live and learn
That phrase is about 70 years old
'Twas new to me
This makes no sense
...it goes into a duotang...
I learned a new word today.
A duotang (or Duo-Tang) is a Canadian English term for a lightweight folder with three metal prongs (or tangs) used to secure three-hole punched paper. Originally a brand name, it became a genericized term for these school and office staples, often made of paper cardstock or plastic. They are primarily used to organize school assignments.
This makes no sense. TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang TRItang
Agreed....
and I do the same.
RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot
Jonathan
Puts together a travel binder whenever we head out for a trip that requires multiple documents, like flight info, hotel info, sections of maps if the path seems a bit tricky. I found it helpful when I visited Toronto in 2018 and turned my phone data off in favor of just using WiFi when at the hotel.
As far as paper maps, I am old enough to have had a section in our geography class on learning to use maps, but the closest I've used in recent years are the ones often put out by the local visitors bureau, they're usually a bit cartoonist and designed to help you navigate walking to the most popular sites.
~Angela
Road atlas
I just picked up the newest Rand McNally Atlas for 2026. I use them for long trip over-views. I also use them when I know I have a weird interchange on a trip. I like to have some big picture reference particularly if I take a wrong turn it can be way easier to find the way back on the highway if you know what the next interstate is on your route.
I also do full cross coast to cost trips at least twice a year. I still do not trust any electronics in some of the deserts and mountains.
Paper Maps
I never use them but I keep U S Paper maps in my trunk space, just for back up.
Road Atlas
I still use a road atlas to get a bigger picture of the area when I am traveling.
Compass
I use atlas and also carry a compass
10 years ago.
10 years ago.