# Offline maps and directions

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 10, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550 "2009-07-10T13:14:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550/1 "2009-07-10T13:14:01Z")

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I’d love to have something like Google Maps that can be used with no internet connection.

Going on vacation without a GPS, but with a laptop, I figure this could be a great way to do a cheap improvised substitute for a GPS. I once had a desktop program (I think it was called Street Atlas USA or something like that) and it would certainly be adequate, but I can’t find the cd and don’t want to buy another copy. Anyone know of anything which is downloadable for cheap (\<$10) or free?

advTHANKSance!

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550/2 "2009-07-10T13:41:46Z")

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I use Google Earth but on a machine with a full-time Internet connection. I suspect that it downloads content dynamically as needed rather than storing it all locally, but I don’t know for sure. It’s free so may be worth a try.

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550/3 "2009-07-10T17:06:22Z")

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Not free, but free for 60 days:

Microsoft Streets and Trips

[http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products\_Streets2009.aspx](http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products_Streets2009.aspx)

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**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550/4 "2009-07-10T17:20:30Z")

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> [@jtgain](#):
>
> Not free, but free for 60 days:  
> Microsoft Streets and Trips  
> [http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products\_Streets2009.aspx](http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/Products_Streets2009.aspx)

Yes!!! Thanks!!!

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**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/offline-maps-and-directions/502550/5 "2009-07-10T19:37:04Z")

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[Thomas Guide](http://store.randmcnally.com/category/thomas+guide.do?code=tbhome) also has digital editions of their books. They are not free, but the print editions (the only type I’ve used) are excellent.