I finally gave up on paper maps after getting lost in Austin last month

I used to swear by paper maps for deliveries, thought GPS was for people who couldn't read a grid. Then I missed a turn on Manor Road because the map had a street that got renamed two years ago. Ended up 20 minutes late and a customer called my boss to complain. Has anyone else had a stubborn habit blow up on them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly.charlie6d ago

That part about 40 streets renamed since 2020 sounds a little off to me. I actually looked this up after my Manor Road disaster and the city's own records show way more than that, its closer to 200 streets renamed in the last five years. But your point still stands, paper maps are completely useless here now. I even had a map from 2023 that still showed the old name for Springdale Road near the airport, ended up driving in circles for ten minutes. Digital GPS might be annoying sometimes but at least it knows the current names.

karenh566d ago

The 200 number sounds about right based on what I've seen driving around here. I had a run-in with a map from 2022 that still had Airport Boulevard listed as a different name near the old Mueller airport area. Spent a good 15 minutes going back and forth between a dead end and a construction zone before I just pulled over and used my phone. It's frustrating because paper maps used to be so reliable for me too. I remember thinking I was being old school and smart, but really I was just making things harder on myself. I feel your pain on that Manor Road thing.

jasonallen6d ago

I read a traffic study last year that said Austin has renamed over 40 streets since 2020, which is exactly why I stopped using my old Thomas Guide there. Paper maps just can't keep up with that kind of change, and one missed turn costs you time and money. Even the city itself tells delivery drivers to use digital maps now because of all the renames.