Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Maps.me

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The Best Navigation Apps for Roadtripping & Tips for Making the Most of Your Tech

When you’re on the road in a foreign country – perhaps juggling a shaky international data plan and uncertain terrain – navigational apps can make or break your trip. So, who wins in the Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Maps.me competition? We like to superpower our route by using both Waze and Google Maps in tandem, and supplementing with Maps.me for specific needs.  

Why? Because all three apps have strengths and weaknesses. But if used properly, they can be combined to form a hard-to-beat team. Is it a pain in the bagel? Not once you get the system down. Plus, it could mean the difference between an impassable route or traffic jam, and smooth sailing.

To keep this article concise, I won’t address every pro and con of these apps, just the ones related to your travel needs, like inconsistent cell signal or when roaming cost is a factor. Even if you’re intimately familiar with these three apps, there might be some new insights. So, read on!

WS&T Travel Tip: So, unless we really need it, we try to avoid our $10/day Verizon Travel Pass for cell signal. Depending on the country, it’s not even that useful once you get into rural areas with limited reception.

Instead, just before setting out, we use Waze’s best function (real-time data) to check the route we’re about to take. Scanning the route for road work, speed trap cameras, detours, accidents, etc., is so helpful. Sure, you can’t memorize all the obstacles, and yes, things change over the course of a drive, but you’ll get sense enough to be prepared. Plus, if there’s a major slowdown, Waze might just give you an idea of when you should leave or offer a revised route. But of course, the fastest route is not always the best.

The Lowdown: Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Maps.me

Waze: Real-Time Traffic Hero

PROS

• User-Sourced Updates: Waze thrives on real-time information submitted by its community. Traffic jams, accidents, speed traps, road closures, and police sightings get flagged quickly.

CONS

• No Offline Mode: You need an internet connection. If you’re traveling abroad without a reliable data plan or a local SIM, you could lose navigation the moment your signal drops. Doesn’t matter if you started the nav before leaving the cozy embrace of Wi-Fi.

• Battery Drain: Because it’s constantly updating in real time, Waze can be more taxing on your phone’s battery.

Google Maps: The Offline Marvel

PROS

• Offline Maps: A game-changer if you have limited data or unreliable connectivity. Download entire regions in advance via Wi-Fi, and you’ll still get turn-by-turn directions without an internet connection.

• Extensive Global Coverage: Google’s mapping database is enormous, covering even smaller towns and rural routes in many countries.

• Street View & Satellite Imagery: Handy for visualizing your destination, spotting landmarks, or checking road conditions ahead of time. Read our article about how we determine road conditions using Street View.

CONS

• Less Dynamic Traffic Updates: While Google Maps does feature live traffic, it’s not always as immediate or granular as Waze’s user-based reporting.

• Limited Community Interaction: Waze’s core advantage is real-time, crowd-sourced alerts. Google Maps depends more on aggregated data, so it can be less detailed about random incidents like speed traps or potholes.

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Alas, the problem of being able to get information about businesses and points of interest is sorely limited without cell service. Google’s Offline Maps can take up a lot of space. That’s why they offer only bare-bones navigation.

So, we keep a third option available.

Maps.me: Offline, But with Business Listings

Maps.me allows us to download offline maps. The file sizes are certainly bigger because this app stores more information about businesses and points of interest, often including hours of operation.

So, why not use Maps.me for all your navigation? Ah, yes:

PROS

• Complete Offline Functionality: You can download entire countries or regions without a cell signal.

• Business & POI Details: Maps.me often includes interesting points of interest and smaller businesses that may not appear on Google Maps.

• OpenStreetMap Base: Because it’s built on OpenStreetMap data, community corrections and updates can be very fast.

CONS

• Large File Sizes: High-detail offline maps can be huge, so download via Wi-Fi before your trip.

• Navigation Isn’t Always Perfect: The routing engine can be quirky, leading to questionable detours or slower routes in some areas. We’ve had complete screw-ups in several instances inside of cities and towns. It’s actually better with walking directions in offline mode than it is for driving to some destinations. Perhaps on longer straightaway routes, you’d be in great shape. But its granular navigation has caused us to make circles several miles from our ultimate destination.  

Other Apps Worth Noting for Roadtrip Navigation

• OsmAnd: Another OpenStreetMap-based app offering robust offline features, detailed hiking/biking trails, and customizable map layers. Great for adventure travelers but can have a steeper learning curve.

• Sygic: Premium offline maps, real-time traffic (with a data plan), and advanced lane guidance. Generally well-suited for road trips, but some features require in-app purchases.

• Apple Maps: Recently added offline functionality (on iOS 17+), and it integrates seamlessly with Apple devices. Still catching up in some regions and lacks the crowd-sourced updates you’d get with Waze.

Which App Is Right for You?

1. If You Have a Solid Data Plan

   • Waze: Fantastic for dense urban areas, real-time updates, and active communities.

   • Google Maps (online): Great for exploring restaurants, user reviews, and thorough place details.

2. If You’re Data-Conscious or Offline Often

   • Google Maps (offline): Download your maps in advance for reliable voice-guided navigation.

   • Maps.me / OsmAnd: Perfect when you need to know about a business or point of interest in offline mode .

WS&T Travel Tips:

• Download Before Departure: Regardless of which app you choose, download necessary maps on Wi-Fi. Data can be painfully slow or expensive on the road.

• Carry a Power Bank: Waze, Google Maps, and GPS usage in general will drain your battery faster than usual, especially if you have your screen on for navigation.

• Check Local Community: Some countries have robust Waze communities; others rely on local apps or prefer Google Maps. Do a quick forum search before your trip.

How to Download Offline Maps in Google Maps

Roadtrip navigation apps have under-the-hood features that really make them useful in situations where signal is spotty. The process for downloading offline maps in Maps.me is really straightforward, so we won’t be going into that here. But if you’re trying to do this in Google Maps for the first time, it’s not as easy to figure out. So, here’s a quick tute for your phone!

1. Open Google Maps: Make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and logged into your Google account.

2. Access the Menu: Tap your profile icon (or initial) in the top-right corner.

3. Select “Offline maps”: A new screen will appear with options for managing your downloaded areas.

4. Choose “Select Your Own Map”:

   • You’ll see a rectangular selection area.

   • Zoom in or out and move the frame so it covers the region you plan to visit.

   • The app will display the approximate file size of the download.

5. Tap “Download”:

   • The map data will begin downloading.

   • Download speeds vary based on your connection and the size of the area.

6. Optional: Set Updates & Preferences:

   • From the “Offline maps” screen, tap the gear icon (Settings) to choose if you want updates to occur automatically over Wi-Fi or if you want the app to auto-delete maps after a certain period.

WS&T Tip: Make sure you choose your download regions carefully. Navigation will work unless you route to a location outside the grid you’ve selected for download and saving. If it’s even slightly outside the grid, the rest of the navigation can fail.

Got other navigation apps you swear by? Let us know—our goal is to keep travelers informed about the best ways to stay on course no matter where the road leads.

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