I am a good driver but with no sense of direction?

Question

I cant drive with a map on my lap and I have tried suggestions like following the sun etc. but I really struggle. It has become a family joke that I am always the last to arrive because I have taken an hour detour somewhere. Is there some way I can improve my sense of direction?

Answer 1

I'm right there with you..but I would get lost on my way! HaHa!! My sense of direction is terrible..especially when it comes to taking the shortest route to somewhere around town...and I live in a small town! It seems that my mind is always a million miles away and people always tease me and tell me that I always take the longest route! And if I am in a room with someone and we are talking about a place..like for example...a store that is four or five miles away and someone is referring to it with a hand gesture in conversation...I will always point in the wrong direction! It is like I have absolutely no sense of direction and have been the blunt of lots of jokes...good humored of course, but still! Do you know what I am talking about? I'm not even sure if one of these devices would do me any good! lol  When I am going somewhere that I have never been, I will write down the directions and I have to make sure that I leave nothing out..even small details..and I am obsessed with constantly referring back to the directions every few seconds even if I know that it is still several miles to my next turn! I am an intelligent person otherwise and so far it hasn't really affected my life in a big way, but it has made me late plenty of times when I do this..I am always having to turn around..always passing up the road that I need to turn on and going way out of the way, then have to turn around and try again! I have always wondered why I do this...I don't have any problems reading a map...as long as I'm not driving! I sometimes wonder if I have just gotten used to it and I overthink it...but I wish I could improve my sense of direction as well..without some sort of device that I can't afford right now. Other than directions, I am a good driver as well and don't have any problems in other areas like this..it's something that I haven't really thought alot about in a while...it's like I have become used to it. So glad you brought this up..and I hope to see some answers that will help both of us! Thanks for asking this question..now I don't feel like the only one that does this! Good luck to you!

p.s. When I am driving, my sons will even tell me.."Mom, you should have taken that road, it's a lot quicker!" I have to admit it is kinda embarrassing and annoying at times that I just don't seem to have a sense of direction! I am almost always late!

Answer 2

try to be more aware or buy a tomtom.

Answer 3

If you are driving with a map on your lap, and actully refer to the map while you are driving, then you are not as good a driver as you think.

Looking down on a map, in a moving vehicle is no different than watching a television program, or reading the newspaper from behind the wheel.

Better to keep the map on the seat next to you, or, open, but kept tucked somewhere it will not distract you.  When you need the map reference, pull over to a safe place and re orient yourself.  Once you get your bearings, you can memorize two or three moves, get them completed and then refer to your map again.  The delays would only amount to a few seconds each stop, totalling up to less than a couple of minutes for even a longer trip.

A "sense of direction" may come easily to some, and with more difficulty for others.  There is no substitute for practice.  The more times one uses a particular road or route, the more familiar it becomes.  Most of us who are on the road a lot, eventually stop navigating by street names and signs, and beging to, subconsciously, use landmarks to navigate.

I used to train taxicab drivers on how to navigate like a pro.  It is a skill that CAN be learned, and, one that need not interfere with safe driving.

Answer 4

I am exactly the same as you and I drive for a living. So I did the most sensible thing and bought a satnav. End of problem. I now rely on it 100% to get me to my destination and it has never let me down.

Answer 5

Hi! I have pretty much the same problem; on the other hand, "even though" I'm male, I have perfectly NO problem with asking for directions ... as a GPS is too expensive for me, whenever I go to a new place, I try to look up a map on the Internet, get a high resolution, then look at the satelite picture; very often, that reveals landmarks I'd miss otherwise, like rock formations, forests, lakes, etc. in the country, or churches or other specific buildings in towns and cities.

Answer 6

My sense of direction is pants too - I always joke that I could remember my way if instead of street names there was a shoe shop on every corner!!

What works for me:-

Get start location.

Get post code of finish location.

Pull up two maps on internet.

Trace my route and jot down important bits.

Use abbreviations that I understand L and R being obvious, X meaning crossroads and O meaning rounabout.

I'll also add the occassional road name, just incase I take a wrong turn! I then right this on a sticky-note and stick it in my line of sight so I don't have to keep looking down.

So, for example:-

1) Leave home R.

2) End of Rd, L.

3) Over X, next L.

4) O. 3rd exit (R).

5) Location on L.

Answer 7

As stated above the gsp would be a great investment for you not only for help with this but it would also save you gas as well....................

Answer 8

get a gps sat nav......problem sorted

Answer 9

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I use post it notes with one navigational point per note.

By far the best way that I've found (apart from GPS), without getting distracted, is a trip meter. Work out the distances involved from one map point to another and you will not be distracted from driving so much.

When you reach the next map point reset the trip meter to 0000 for your next stint.

Practice on roads that you know and to places you are familiar with to get used to the new system and to adjust it to your requirements.

Please don't become too concerned with your navigational skills, you've always arrived in the past. Drive with SAFETY in mind first and continue to arrive.

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