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Using Google Maps

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by MooneyBravo, Oct 9, 2017.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Oct 9, 2017 #1
    MooneyBravo

    MooneyBravo Heavy Load Member

    849
    1,216
    Feb 20, 2012
    Vermilion, Oh
    0
    Drivers I thought I would pass this on to you. I have a tablet that I keep mounted on the window at the far left side of my dash and I monitor Google Maps all day long. The reason I do this is in case you aren't aware there is a traffic feature on Google Maps and if you click on it the interstates will either be green or orange or red.
    Green means clear roads Orange signifies a slow down and red means traffic is moving very very slow or stopped.

    Since I have monitored Google Maps all day there have been several instances where I was glad that I was informed about a traffic jam not too far ahead of me but other drivers that weren't as informed as I was we're hammering down and one driver almost plowed into the traffic in front of him and he was following way too close to begin with.

    I used to carry a CB radio where I can inform other drivers but it just got to a point to where nobody was paying attention anymore and the only time they had their CB radio on was at the end of the day in the truck stop and then it was all a bunch of BS so I finally just got sick of it and ripped mine out and I never put one back in again.

    I also use an app called My Radar when there are bad storms in the area to see where the storm is and where it's tracking in reference to where I am and which direction I am heading.

    Two great apps I'll tell you. I love technology.
     
    MooneyBravo, Oct 9, 2017
    MooneyBravo, Oct 9, 2017
    #1
    crb, cybill234, Oldironfan and 5 others Thank this.
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  3. Oct 9, 2017 #2
    albert l

    albert l Road Train Member

    1,040
    1,505
    Feb 10, 2013
    On the Road
    0
    Google Maps Traffic is essential for any motorist
     
    albert l, Oct 9, 2017
    albert l, Oct 9, 2017
    #2
  4. Oct 9, 2017 #3
    IluvCATS

    IluvCATS Road Train Member

    4,091
    8,976
    Dec 1, 2014
    Seattle, WA
    0
    I agree. I use google maps for traffic.
     
    IluvCATS, Oct 9, 2017
    IluvCATS, Oct 9, 2017
    #3
  5. Oct 9, 2017 #4
    skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,737
    12,185
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    Don't let a LEO see you touch it. I know, all you want to do is zoom out and check for an alt route around whatever is going on. But that's all it will take to get slapped with a huge mess.
     
    skellr, Oct 9, 2017
    skellr, Oct 9, 2017
    #4
    tscottme and Jeck Thank this.
  7. Oct 10, 2017 #5
    Korodoch

    Korodoch Bobtail Member

    47
    40
    Oct 8, 2017
    0
    I do understand using it to check on traffic. Being able to reroute is great. I wish the Rand McNally GPS was as nice.

    It should never be needed to maintain safe following distance.
     
    Korodoch, Oct 10, 2017
    Korodoch, Oct 10, 2017
    #5
    MooneyBravo Thanks this.
  8. Oct 10, 2017 #6
    GreenMonster9669

    GreenMonster9669 Medium Load Member

    356
    332
    Aug 16, 2014
    St Louis
    0
    You might also check out the Waze app. It gives you more specific traffic information than Google maps. (Police ahead, vehicle on road ahead, debris in the road, etc)
     
    GreenMonster9669, Oct 10, 2017
    GreenMonster9669, Oct 10, 2017
    #6
    RustyChops41, MooneyBravo and Diesel Dave Thank this.
  9. Oct 10, 2017 #7
    rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

    1,608
    3,782
    Feb 7, 2009
    mt. pocono. pa.
    0
    Nice doors; by the way.
    Even that won't wake some of them up.
     
    rolls canardly, Oct 10, 2017
    rolls canardly, Oct 10, 2017
    #7
  10. Oct 10, 2017 #8
    jammer910Z

    jammer910Z Road Train Member

    2,446
    6,522
    May 28, 2015
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    How much data does it eat to keep it running all day long?
     
    jammer910Z, Oct 10, 2017
    jammer910Z, Oct 10, 2017
    #8
  11. Oct 10, 2017 #9
    scythe08

    scythe08 Road Train Member

    2,832
    3,635
    Mar 19, 2007
    Portland, Or
    0
    I checked google maps about 50 times a day. I don't like waze. It uses more data and I have to look at it longer to see what I need to see. Google, takes about 5 seconds on intermittent scanning it to see what I need.

    My stupid Garmin GPS is supposed to warn me of traffic way in advance and sometimes it does.......80% it doesnt.
     
    scythe08, Oct 10, 2017
    scythe08, Oct 10, 2017
    #9
    crb and fargonaz Thank this.
  12. Oct 10, 2017 #10
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,963
    29,154
    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
    0
    Do you have a newer Garmin or an older one? I have an older one but upgraded the power cord to receive "digital traffic". Works much better than the analog system with much more frequent updates. I suspect the units bought in the last year or two have digital receiver out of the box but you might look into it.

    Regardless it's only worthwhile near larger metro areas. but when it's working, it seems to mimic Google traffic for the most part. I use Google regularly in traffic and crash prone areas and for confirmation of Garmin, but often my Garmin will alert me to an issue before I had caught it on Google.
     
    STexan, Oct 10, 2017
    STexan, Oct 10, 2017
    #10
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