One in five drivers struggle to use a map

Consumer Editor

4 minute read|28th Aug 2026

A survey of British drivers has found that 20% do not feel confident reading a traditional road map or atlas when driving to an unfamiliar destination.

What’s more, 69% of UK drivers admit they make mistakes when driving without the use of sat nav assistance.

A poll of 2,000 drivers by eBay found that a third get stressed when driving without a sat nav, while 45% say they would get lost or take a wrong turn when navigating without a sat nav.

When it comes to continuing a journey without a sat nav, 29% would drive further than necessary while 25% say they arrive late to their destination.

As a result, 21% of drivers say they use sat nav or navigation apps on ‘every or most journeys even when they already know the route’.

This has been made easier with modern smartphones. In fact, 46% prefer navigation apps on their smartphone screen or through phone mirroring. Only 29% rely on their vehicle’s built-in sat nav system.

Of those surveyed, just 5% still use a physical road atlas.

The research suggests drivers are increasingly looking for more from navigation technology than simple turn-by-turn directions.

Among the most valued features are live traffic updates (36%), accurate estimated arrival times (34%), and automatic route recalculation (27%), highlighting a growing demand for smarter, real-time journey assistance.

RAC patrol man in orange helping a family at the roadside next to a orange van with flashing lights.

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Most UK drivers use sat navs, but many do not fully trust them and often ignore directions if they think they know a quicker route.

In fact, 84% of drivers who overruled their sat nav arrived faster than the estimated arrival time, according to RAC research.

A survey of 1,601 UK drivers by the RAC found that 91% use a sat nav, with:

8% using one on every journey
30% using one on most trips
53% using one occasionally

Common frustrations with sat navs include:

52% say they fail to detect upcoming traffic jams
44% complain about being directed down small or narrow roads
19% have nearly become stuck after being sent down a dead end that was difficult to reverse out of
11% have been sent the wrong way down a one-way street

Despite these issues, 12% admit they follow sat nav instructions without question. The vast majority (89%) take a more cautious approach and sometimes ignore directions if they believe there is a better route.

When it comes to the type of sat nav used:

53% rely on free smartphone apps such as Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps
35% use a built-in, in-car sat nav
9% use a standalone sat nav attached to the dashboard or windscreen, a particularly popular option among drivers aged 65 and over

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With over 1,700 RAC mechanics nationwide, help is never far away
Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns

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^*T&Cs apply. ^†At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^{^}Find the same cover cheaper with the AA within 7 days & we'll beat it by 20%.