What is your preferred method of finding a destination or address when driving to a new place?

15 years ago I had a job that required me to travel to 46 states and visit various businesses in random cities. I used to get my navigation on with printed or jotted driving directions from Map Quest. Sometimes I would even get directions from people verbatim which was less reliable.

Then in 2005 I moved to NYC for 5 years and used Hop Stop and Google maps to navigate the bus and subway system since I got rid of my car.

In 2010 I moved to CA and bought a car and a stand alone GPS. I've upgraded it a couple times, but that is still my preferred method.

I've been experimenting with WAZE on my phone via voice commands in the last year. Its really good about finding the route less traveled to navigate around problems, but I don't like that I can't easily see the screen when I'm driving.

Out of curiosity (sorry I provided my background) what methods do you guys use? What have you found most effective getting to new or unfamiliar locations.

If you use WAZE or a phone app, do you use the voice feature, and how are you able to see the screen?

I generally scope out my trip on Google Maps the day before the trip, then plug the address into the build-in navigation system in my car -- and use a combination of voice directions and quick glances at the screen. My system shows traffic and provides traffic alerts, and allows for rerouting.

About 90% of the use of my vehicle's GPS is for the moving maps, and not directions to a particular destination. I can quickly see alternate routes if I run into traffic or view upcoming turns.

My son doesn't have built-in nav system and uses his iPhone 7 Plus (larger screen) in a vent-holder on his dash, and primarily uses the Waze app, which provides voice direction, police alerts, accident alerts, and does a great job or rerouting around traffic jams.

My daughter uses a combination of Google Maps on her iPhone and an older Garmin GPS in her minivan.

I do a quite a bit of traveling and use several methods of navigation. Normally if I do not know much about the destination, I will start by looking it up on either google maps or MapQuest to get an idea of where I'm going. I may print out MapQuest directions to have as a backup, but will use an app called "Here" on my phone. This app allows off line use and updates the maps regularly, One hint, if you do not set it to avoid tolls, it will take toll roads every time there's a choice, even in cases where there are "Express" lanes that charge a toll and the regular lanes are free and moving at the same speed.

Normally I have a good idea of the general area that I'm heading to, and at least for the early part of the trip I do not need to have the GPS active. For example, if I was to be leaving the DC area and going to St Louis, I would know the route that I'm taking most of the way due to having previously made that trip. I would not have to activate the GPS until I was getting close to my destination, using it for the final part of the trip to find the exact location

I use the voice feature and have a mount that I can use to mount the phone in the vehicle where it is visible ( a google search for "Car phone holder" will give you many options

I just plug the address into my GPS nav system and it usually takes me right to the destination.

Google Maps app only because I love the accent.

I use a Garmin GPS.

I sometimes use a stand along GPS that I stick to my windshield with a suction cup. But I also have a suction cup holder where I can mount my phone so it is in my area of vision and I often use that as well.

Google maps, figured out ahead of time, results printed out on paper. Why? I'm usually driving a truck with a horse trailer. I can't afford to go anywhere that is somehow wrong. I usually discuss the destination with my client.

I need to know the best routes, parking, possibility of having to back all the way out instead of being able to turn around, possibility of having to drive through a ploughed field (YES!), even bridges or roads that aren't really there. I certainly can't deal with a magic box that tells me to back up or to make some impossible turn.