Best overland gps mapping apps for Android / iOS - 2023

In this article, we are going to review the best overland gps apps for iOS and Android.

If you are looking for the nearest campground, want to download offline maps, use different layers on maps, save and export the trail miles, these apps will be useful for you. We tried to choose the best overland mapping software based on user reviews.

Overland Bound One

Overland Bound One is an app for traveling. It offers offline navigation, hiking and mapping routes, and other features necessary for overland adventure. In addition to the built-in features, the user can contribute to the development of the app and participate in the travel community.

The app provides a virtual map with marked points that will be useful for overland travelers. Users can make changes to the map, for example, add layers and points to it.

Overland Bound features:

• Database of landmarks and places useful for travelers: cafes, hotels and other infra-structure.
• Large number of available maps: Satellite Maps, Topo Maps, off-road / hiking trails, USFS MVUM Roads & Trails.
• Full offline navigation, downloading offline maps to a mobile device.
• Off road route recording and saving in GPX format
• Communication with other Overlanders directly through the mobile app.
• Search for nearby campgrounds (USFS and BLM locations supported)
• Trip Planner: familiarize yourself with a location, read reviews and add to your list of must-see places during the trip

iOverlander

The app will be useful to overlanders for everyday use.Using the iOverlander app, you have access to a comprehensive database with locations that experienced and novice travelers and overlanders need. This includes hotels, campgrounds, attractions, restaurants, and other places needed while traveling.

By clicking on a point on the map, you can find out the necessary details: GPS coordinates, attitude, last visited time, reviews, description of the place, photo.

Main functions and features of the app:

• All locations planned to be visited can be added to favorites or sent to colleagues with whom you plan to travel.
• Recording your travel route
• Adding your own places to the virtual map
• Offline use of maps

Pros:

• Many useful overland mapping functions
• Free of charge
• Simple user-friendly map interface

Cons:

• Offline functions are unstable
• Can't save places to visit them offline

Map & Directions

Map & Directions is an indispensable application for overlanders to find coordinates. With the help of this web-service you can find out the geographical position of a city or town and calculate your current coordinates, which is extremely important when traveling.

Go to the official website Maps & Directions to find the exact gps coordinates of a place or location. You can easily select the desired location and see its latitude and longitude.

The Map & Directions service is very easy to understand, it includes an option to zoom in on the map and the ability to share your location online with other people.

In addition, Maps & Directions allows you to determine the coordinates of your location on the map for free - with just one tap. Click on "Find my coordinates" - the overland mapping service will immediately put a marker and determine the latitude and longitude of the place.

On the Map & Directions website you can:

• measure the distance between cities or the regions,
• calculate the shortest route between given points,
• create a map using Google Maps tools,
• find a location by GPS coordinates,
• calculate the travel time of a pedestrian / bicycle / car.

Waze

Waze is a mapping software that will be useful for travelers who prefer to travel independently and often find themselves in difficult and unpopular overland places. This application can be used as a car navigator. It shows you how to get to your destination by the most optimal route. Also this application will be extremely useful if you get lost in an overland place and want to send GPS coordinates with your current location.

How to find out current location with Waze:

1. Download Waze.
2. Give all the necessary permissions to track your location.

3. Waze will ask you to register but you can skip this step if you like.

4. Turn on GPS on your device.
5. Select the mode of transportation you are using (if you are not moving anywhere you can just tap on the car icon).
6. Tap on the point where you are located on the map
7. Tap on the "More" button.
8. Tap "Submit" to get a link to your current GPS location.

One of the best features of Waze is voice-activated GPS navigation. It has a choice of transportation to get around - motorcycle, car, bicycle. There are also the classic functions "avoid toll roads", "add a place to favorites, etc.

In addition, the overland mapping software can find places such as gas stations, parking lots, hotels, hospitals and other places necessary for travel.

Pros:

• Constant notification that the app is running in the background. This helps avoid wasting battery power.
• The app can keep track of traffic cameras, traffic, police reports, and road closures.
• The basic features of the mapping software work well even in small communities.

Cons:

• Lack of GPS navigation features in small towns

iNaturalist

This app is focused on overland travelers and amateur naturalists who love to study nature. iNaturalist allows you to find out information about animal and plant life in any location. Essentially, iNaturalist is a social network of scientists and naturalists from all over the world. Through this network, anyone can get the information they need for free.

Key features of iNaturalist:

• A database of data on animals and plants
• Add your own records to the online knowledge base or to the application, for example, an animal or plant that you have met during your travels.
• Gaining access to the community knowledge base.
• Getting help and feedback from professionals on request
• Dedicated tool to check the species of plants, animals by photo. The iNaturalist application offers about 10 identification options.

GPS, maps, voice navigation and destinations

The first time you start the overland mapping app, you can select a dark or light color theme. After giving you all the necessary permissions, you are taken to the main application screen, where the following functions are available:

• Download maps for offline mode;
• Navigation and mapping; - Address search;
• Traffic alerts;
• Weather Forecast
• Useful places nearby (pharmacies, cafes, hotels, etc.)
• Compass
• Translator

Via the settings, the user can change the sound of the notifications, the color theme and units.

The app uses its own GPS mapping tools, with a nice minimalist design. Near the search icon, places nearby are available - cafes, pharmacies, hotels, etc.

The user also has the ability to add several overland places to favorites, such as home and work.

Once you select a travel address, you only need to tap the navigator icon on the right side of the screen to enable voice navigation. Of the available navigation voices, the default is English, but you can download any other from a large list. It is recommended that you do this before you start your trip, as the voice navigation is divided into subcategories - points of interest, streets, etc. All sections are downloaded separately.

Pros:

• Weather forecast mode for hiking;
• Convenient traffic alerts;
• Overland mapping features;
• Built-in translator.

Cons:

• Offline maps are only available in the premium version of the software;
• A lot of frequent pop-up ads that sometimes cut off content.

Download for Android

Maps.me

MAPS.ME is overland mapping software for travelers, motorists in particular. Its full functionality is available in both online and offline modes. The main advantages of Maps.me users are the following:

• Regular update of maps ensures their relevance. Map details are provided by the app users when they mark various objects, including monuments and even fountains.
• The app is distributed absolutely for free. This applies not only to the functionality of Maps.me, but also to its maps (the app uses public OpenStreetMap overland maps) .

Download Maps.me

Traffie Navigation & Alerts

The voice navigation app allows you to build routes from point A to point B in real time, avoiding possible obstacles on the way. The driver is notified about traffic jams, road construction, accidents, dangerous sections, etc. All information is displayed online, and requires an Internet connection.

Features:

• Alternative driving route depending on the current situation on the road;
• Simplified voice navigation in night mode;
• Navigation screen on the car windshield;
• Notification about weather conditions, weather forecast for each particular point of the route;
• Information about speed limits on specific parts of the route;
• Automatic update of data about the current traffic on the route.
• Overland mapping features work all over the world.

You can also use the navigation app to see places near the current driver's position. A paid subscription is available - basic for $1.99, and extended for $3.99. The app doesn't work without a subscription.

Pros:

• Quick fixes for any problems with the app

Cons:

• No free version

Download for iOS

Karta GPS

The mapping app allows you to build a route from one point to another by voice navigation commands. It has detailed instructions for each intersection.

Build the best route to drive depending on the current traffic. Information about traffic jams is updated in real time. This allows you to avoid wasting time standing in traffic jams.

Features of the app:

• No permanent Internet connection is required, maps of the desired regions can be downloaded in advance;
• Effective traffic jam avoidance by analyzing traffic in real time, building the fastest and best traffic route;
• Warning about security cameras. The app will notify the user if there is a speed camera ahead;
• Information about places nearby - monuments, restaurants, stores;
• Voice search for information;
• Help in choosing the best lane for driving on multilane roads;
• Calculation of the approximate time of arrival to the final point of the route depending on the situation on the road.

Pros:

• Quick orientation in a new city
• Maps work without the Internet
• High quality voice navigation

Cons:

• Sometimes it does not show the user's real location

Download for Android