iPhone 7/Plus inefficient gps street routing

[jeyf]

on an iPhone 7 with 11.4.1
when going from point A to B Maps likes to take me north to the freeway than south on the same gridlocked freeway where i can literally see see the initial point A start from the freeway. It exits the free way and back tracks a little to the final point B destination. All this extra driving when points A & B are connected by a single city street with lite traffic.

if the gps offers several rout options; all the options do a random zig zag through the highest traveled streets

i dont remember Maps being this bad till recent

 

[Shirasaki]

I'd like to say the same to Google Maps -- inefficient.
Several weeks ago I needed to go to a unit. That unit was kinda close to the train station but I needed to walk 1km after leaving the station. Not a big deal. Because I was not familiar with the surroundings, I used Google Maps to navigate. It told me I could go there by crossing the warehouse area, with all of those forklifts, workers and stocks. As crazy as it looked like, I chose to follow because I knew no other route. It took me 20 min or so to arrive, involving crossing a busy road with no pedestrian passage (it is still under the main motorway though).
Last night, I left the same unit after finishing my work and went back home. This time, I chose to walk myself and did not use Google Maps. Surprise, surprise. I walked back to the train station WITHOUT crossing that busy road. ALL I needed was exiting from another road when leaving the train station!
All I wanted to say after arriving at the train station was "Ugh".

 

[cynics]

There is likely a road that has incorrect data so it’s avoiding it (ex one way street or dirt road).

Report the routing inconsistency to Apple via the app.

ALL maps have errors. Generally it’s overlooked because the user doesn’t know the roads so they think that is/was the best/only way.

I use Apple maps but if I don’t like something it’s doing I consult Google. Then I just pick the best. For me for example Google will try to cut me directly thru Baltimore City (MLK Blvd passed Ravens stadium, horseshoe casino, Camden yards, etc) which is NEVER the easiest, fastest, or safest way. Garmin does the same thing whereas Apple takes me around it.

My errors reported to Apple when I’m clear about the problem and include pictures have been fixed in 2-6 weeks.

 

[NoBoMac]

As others have mentioned, have also had Google route me on odd routes. Recently, Google and Apple both did not know about a highway crossing lane and routed me four miles further down the road to take a different crossing and back track to the destination. Google has tried to send me down a one way street in the wrong direction.

Also, can fault both apps re: time of day. Have seen where suggested routes go down normally short/quick way, but if during rush hour, longer timewise vs a longer round about direction road.

As mentioned, report the error. Have done for Apple and Google and both fixed errors. Maybe not real quick, but has been generally within a few days to a week.

Personally, I generally do know where I am going, and know which roads are congested, construction, etc. I use the map apps only when need to know general location, and might use them for the last couple of miles. A bit along the lines of common sense and not treating the app as gospel and driving off a cliff, as some have done.

 

[flyinmac]

on an iPhone 7 with 11.4.1
when going from point A to B Maps likes to take me north to the freeway than south on the same gridlocked freeway where i can literally see see the initial point A start from the freeway. It exits the free way and back tracks a little to the final point B destination. All this extra driving when points A & B are connected by a single city street with lite traffic.

if the gps offers several rout options; all the options do a random zig zag through the highest traveled streets

i dont remember Maps being this bad till recent

I’ve had Apple Maps try to send me in loops.

I drive to the town the address is in. Then use the maps to find my way to the address. It wants to put me back on the freeway and head back where I came from.

So I instead drive through the town looking for the right road. And find my way to the address. The whole time, Apple Maps wants me to turn around and leave town.

Sitting in the parking lot for the place I’m going. And Apple Maps still says to get back on the freeway.

At least it’s getting better. Always tried to put me in the ocean before. So I guess it’s an improvement.

I prefer Google Maps. Usually gets me there without trouble. Unless it tries to put me on a road that hasn’t been built yet. Sometimes construction is 20 years behind the official street maps in the state files.

 

[jeyf]

its difficult to appreciate a $1000+ iphone with such a junk street map situation.
the cheep bastards could spend a little of their trillion dollars?

 

[Newtons Apple]

I have never seen any of these navigation apps be efficient. All need human intervention.

 

[2ndHalfCor]

I have never seen any of these navigation apps be efficient. All need human intervention.

This.

Last week I drove my home near Boise, Idaho, through SW Wyoming, into NE Utah to Vernal. I used three GPS devices, the VW sat-nav in my Tiguan, with the most recent (2016 I think) update, a recently updated Garmin on the dash, and my phone running Google Maps (which worked off and on when I had data service). I knew the Idaho route well enough, but was glad I had a 12 year old Wyoming highway map. The devices often disagreed about the best route and at one point, the Garmin wanted me to drive about 80 miles out of the route I had planned on paper. I ignored it and picked whichever device gave me the route I already knew I wanted to go. At one point in southern Wyoming, only my VW maps gave me the correct routing; the other two would have sent me off into the wilds to be devoured by the local wildlife. (OK, tongue in cheek, mostly I saw non-hostile pronghorns!). Even then, it misidentified the road I was on.

Electronic map routing works best in unfamiliar cities where you don't mind a circuitous route as long as it gets you there. I would never bet my life on it.

 

[Shirasaki]

I have never seen any of these navigation apps be efficient. All need human intervention.

Could not agree more. fk those people who believe "GPS is everything". When we rely on tech too much, we are giving up our intellectual abilities to a cold machine. Does not sound good.