[reificator]

Looking at these comments I'm realizing I might be an outlier.

If I'm traveling to an area I've never/rarely been before, I'll use turn by turn navigation the first few times.

But once I'm familiar with the area I just look up the specific place for the nearest cross streets before I leave.

I kind of assumed that's how everyone navigated, minus taxi/delivery/other professional drivers who probably use GPS more.

[Aerroon]

I'm the same. I look at a map beforehand and try getting there on my own. If I can't then I can always use some navigation assist later.

[reificator]

I'm not ashamed to say I've gotten lost doing this occasionally and either turned on directions or just double checked the GPS.

But it's fairly infrequent and it doesn't happen twice in the same place.

[wool_gather]

Heck, sometimes it can be fun to get a little lost. "Oh, _that's_ where $FOO is!", as you accidentally go by it. Or "That looks like a cool $BAR, I'll have to come back and check it out"

[waihtis]

This is definitely part of the fun. I sometimes take new routes to places I’ve visited before without particularly checking beforehand if road XYZ actually connects to the intended destination (it’s enough if it leads to it’s general direction) - once in a while you end up in a cul-de-sac, but mostly you end up with your described situation

[ezekiel68]

I "third" this sentiment (along with my fellow replyer).

[tgb]

This is what I do if I'm walking, but I mechanically follow the GPS if it's on and I'm driving. Means I have no clue where things are unless they're in walking distance.

[HenryBemis]

The benefit of Google maps (for me at least) is that although I know the areas I drive in, I am using it (Google Maps) traffic information, so if there is an accident, or there is he at traffic, I will take an better alternative road.

[reificator]

Yeah that's definitely a benefit. Is there a way to enter a destination and get traffic updates and detour directions, but otherwise no turn-by-turn directions?