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The Best GPS Navigation Systems for Your Road Trip

Ranked #3,110 in Travel & Places, #98,373 overall

The Best Reliable GPS Navigations Systems to Get You on Your Road Trip Across the Country

Map? What map? With the advent of GPS, you may no longer need to have one around. Navigate your way around the country with one of these recommended (and well reviewed) GPS navigation systems that will take you seamlessly between road trip destinations without getting off course. No more gas station directions, no more lost map, no more bickering about where you are! Technology is here to the rescue in the form of these acclaimed navigation aids built by Garmin and TomTom, the two largest and well respected GPS companies. Read on to find what units are the best selling, have the lowest malfunction rate, and which ones you can depend on for years to come.
The road to Offen 2 by Jasmic
The road to ... by Davide Restivo
country road by joiseyshowaa
The serpent road by Délirante bestiole [la poésie des goupils]
Endless road by TheFriendlyFiend
curated content from Flickr

Garmin Nuvi 360 Portable GPS Text to Speech Navigation System

One of the best sellers on Amazon, includes text to speech and turn by turn directions

The Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant is one of the best selling navigation systems on Amazon. With an incredible personal translator, multi-media entertainer and tour guide all wrapped into one, it will get you going across the United States without having to stop at sleezy rest stops for directions (or rifling around in the backseat during 90 degree weather for that tattered road map). The Garmin Nuvi portable 360 also has an MP3 player and audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, and hands-free Bluetooth technology that's reliable and consistent. Garmin is the world's #1 selling navigation system because of this reliability, and it's also the best reviewed.
Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Text-To-Speech

Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Text-To-Speech

Amazon Price: $54.49 (as of 06/05/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $54.49

Features of the Garmin portable 360 Navigator:

* Bluetooth wireless technology, built-in microphone, and speaker for hands-free calls with compatible phones
* MP3 player with pre-loaded sample songs and audio books, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters
* 2D or 3D views; pre-loaded with most recent Navteq-driven maps for United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Canada
* Turn-by-turn directions with actual street names; real-time traffic and weather info
* Super-bright 2.8 x 2.1-inch sunlight-readable color screen

What's Your Favorite Thing About the Garmin Nuvi 360?

Vote or add your own reason why this navigation system is the best!

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Turn by turn directions with actual street names

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Bright sunlight readable screen

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Bluetooth technology

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MP3 Player

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Currency converter

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JPEG picture viewer

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Garmin nuvi Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

FM traffic updates, MSN content, fast satellite lock, and text to speech

Garmin's nuvi 255W has made some significant improvements with faster satellite lock, terrain maps, and an incredible new photo navigation feature. It also is more specific than the 200 series with its directions. Instead of vague "turn left in 50 feet" directions, it will tell you the name of the street (which saves a lot of headaches!).
Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Amazon Price: $144.00 (as of 06/05/2012)Buy Now
Used Price: $55.00

* 4.3 Inch Auto Navigator with Anti Theft Feature
* Voice Prompted Turn by Turn Directions
* With HotFix, It Calculates Your Position Faster to Get You There Quicker
* Compatible with Optional Enhanced MSN Direct Content
* JPEG Picture Viewer, World Travel Clock, Currency Converter, Calculator and More

What's Your Favorite Thing About the Garmin Widescreen 255W GPS Navigator?

Vote on your favorite features, or add your own (or you could do both!)

If you submit an item, simply refresh the page so it will appear.

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Voice prompted turn by turn directions

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Hotfix quick satellite positioning

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Anti theft feature

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Enhanced MSN content

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JPEG picture viewer

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Currency converter

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World clock

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TomTom One Third Edition Auto Navigation System

The world's best selling portable navigation device

This is one of the best selling GPS navigation systems in existence. TomTom is another reliable, awesome brand to take with you on any road trip, or simply to work everyday. The 3rd edition update to the world's bestselling portable navigation device features an updated chipset that provides better satellite lock and TomTom's new MapShare technology that lets you add your own map corrections.

The model you see below is refurbished, which means it's been returned to the company and repaired to like new conditions. It also includes a 6 month warranty on the parts and labor. You can save a bundle of money buying refurbished. I've done it before and I was happy with the quality I received.
Could not locate item B0016NDD2C. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

What's Your Favorite Thing About the TomTom Third Edition Navigation System?

Vote for your favorite part of this TomTom navigation system!

Simply submit an item or vote for one of the ones below! Refresh the page to vote for it!

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Turn by turn directions

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Reliability in use (it's consistent, and it doesn't break!)

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Sensitive GPS chipset (for fast satellite tracking)

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Garmin Forerunner

Garmin Forerunner more...1 point

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3.5" full screen color LCD

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A full GB of internal memory

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Easy, compact style for travel and on-the-go lifestyles

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Important!

Just think...

..no more pulling aside to read a map. No more wrong turns (well, they can't drive for you, but it's the next best thing).

More Garmin GPS Navigation Systems on Amazon Right Now

The best selling GPS systems and accessories to hit the road in style

Hit the Road in Style with Road Trip T-Shirts

These are too good to pass up, so I thought I'd include them here...

What road trip is complete without some comfortable snazzy clothes? These t-shirts were found on CafePress, which you can visit to find other unique clothing and gifts.
Road Trip Family Van Jr. Raglan

Road Trip Family Van Jr. Raglan

From: Custom Shirts and Party Supplies

A retro style womens Raglan with a hippy-like feel to it. Come on everybody, pile into the van for a road trip!

Price: $23.99 Buy Now

Road Trip Family Car Retro Kids Light T-Shirt

Road Trip Family Car Retro Kids Light T-Shirt

From: Custom Shirts and Party Supplies

A classic car that reaks of road trip on this kids style tee.

Price: $18.99 Buy Now

Road Trip Baseball Jersey

Road Trip Baseball Jersey

From: Symbol Gear

Hit the wide open road in style with this baseball style jersey available in black, red, or blue.

Price: $22.99 Buy Now

Road Trip USA Jr. Ringer T-Shirt

Road Trip USA Jr. Ringer T-Shirt

From: planetkris wearables

No one does a road trip like the USA. Features the classic interstate symbol/crest that you'll see on roadsigns throughout the country.

Price: $21.99 Buy Now

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Rustic Falls, Yellowstone National Park by Alaskan Dude
2008-04-14 Florida Keys 271 Key Largo by Allie_Caulfield
2008 Fall Great Smoky Mountains, TN by scmikeburton
curated content from Flickr

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Take a peak at these U.S. destinations to take a road trip to

Find out where I've headed recently or what place I recommend on the road trip blog.

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Prepare for your trip with these guides on how to start planning your road excursion!

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Prepare for your next road trip with the right reading material and checklists so you can have peace of mind while on the road.
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Navigation systems

are no longer in the "unaffordable" category. They've drastically come down in price compared to just a year ago.

More Road Trip Essentials

Items that are must-haves to bring on your next road trip

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What's Your Favorite Road Trip Lens?

Vote for your favorite road trip lens below!

Winding Road Near St. Tropez, Cote d'Azur, Provence, France, Europe

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Planning a US Road Trip: The Southern Route

If you love warmth and sunshine, this is the perfe more...1 point

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How to Plan a US Road Trip

There's nothing like taking a road trip across the more...1 point

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New England Road Trip

Six states, 71,991 square miles, and over 14 milli more...0 points

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Grand Circle Road Trip

The area of the United States that includes northe more...0 points

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California Road Trip

California has some of the most famous, scenic and more...0 points

Yup, Even More Road Trip Information

Recommended destinations and tips for the road

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Did you turn off the lights? Set the light timers? Put the mail on hold? This guide will give you a checklist of things to do before you leave for your long vacation.

Own a GPS System? Have a Certain Navigation That You Prefer?

Tell everyone what you recommend!

Tell everyone the GPS system that you have and how it's working for you! Comments are moderated and will show up once approved. You don't have to be a Squidoo memeber to comment (but you can sign up here for free if you'd like).

  • ShamanicShift Feb 14, 2011 @ 8:26 am | delete
    I have yet to use a GPS -- and I'm no techno-peasant -- well, one of these days, I will indulge, I'm sure & it's good to know how the units measure up -- blessed by a SquidAngel!
  • morach2009 Sep 23, 2010 @ 12:51 am | delete
    Vehicle GPS tracking Ireland is a system which can be used to improve the security of a car for an individual. For companies the technology has many useful applications such as saving money on fuel and improved customer service.
  • alteredkat Mar 31, 2010 @ 11:48 am | delete
    My sister has a TomTom...my Magellan (sp?) works just fine for me.
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Save Some Bucks with Refurbished Navigation Systems

Ebay is the be all end all of finding good deals on refurbished Navigators

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kiwisoutback

I'm Kiwisoutback. I write about traveling, marketing, video games, and the music I like. I started writing on Squidoo in 2007, and was slowly sucked into... more »

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