At some point, almost everyone has taken a wrong turn or missed an exit. In fact, 86% of Americans say they’ve gotten lost while driving. But with smartphones and built-in navigation systems, getting back on track has never been easier.
To find out just how much drivers depend on GPS today, we surveyed over 2,400 people across the U.S. We looked at how often they use GPS, how they’d manage without it, and what features they rely on most to create a ranking of the most and least GPS-reliant states.
Here’s what we learned about the parts of the country where drivers trust their own sense of direction and where GPS is the real one behind the wheel.
Which States Rely Most on Their GPS?
Whether they’re navigating unfamiliar streets or just avoiding traffic on the way home, GPS has become a necessity for many drivers. But across the country, some states rely on it for navigation more than others.
To find out where drivers lean on their GPS the most, we surveyed residents in every state and created an index based on how often they use navigation, how lost they’d feel without it, and the ways they use it beyond directions. Here’s what we found:
States that rely on GPS the most:
- New York – 77.8 out of 100
- Massachusetts – 72.8
- Connecticut – 69.7
- Arizona – 68.1
- Florida – 66
Drivers in the Northeast topped the list, which makes sense given the dense road networks and heavy traffic in cities like New York and Boston. In places where detours and congestion are common, GPS isn’t just helpful — it’s practically essential. Arizona and Florida also ranked high, which could be tied to growing populations and city expansion. These are also warm-weather states that attract some snowbird travel so even locals may need to turn to GPS to stay on course and avoid the traffic that brings on.
States that rely on GPS the least:
- Vermont – 13.5 out of 100
- Louisiana – 25.2
- Montana – 26
- North Dakota – 27.5
- Michigan – 28.5
Many of the least-reliant states are rural or sparsely populated, where roads are more familiar and traffic is lighter. In places like Vermont or North Dakota, residents may not need GPS often because they stick to routes they’ve driven for years. Even in a larger state like Michigan, the spread-out populous and less congested highway system may make getting around feel more intuitive.
While GPS use is common everywhere, these rankings show how local geography, population density, and driving conditions can shape just how much residents rely on technology to get from point A to point B.
Next, we’ll dig deeper into the data to show just how heavily Americans lean on their GPS.
How Much Do Americans Rely on Their GPS?
Most drivers use GPS at some point, but for many, it’s more than just a convenience. They wouldn’t be able to get around at all without it.
Our survey revealed just how dependent Americans have become on navigation tools:
- Over one-fourth of Americans said they could not easily navigate their own city without a GPS.
- 13% reported feeling lost without GPS, and only 12% said they feel completely comfortable driving without it.
- 35% do not feel confident reaching a new destination in their own city without GPS.
- Nearly 7 in 10 do not feel confident reaching a new destination elsewhere in their state without it.
- More than half (53%) said they would not feel confident driving anywhere at all if GPS weren’t available.
And it’s not just about getting from one place to another. Drivers rely on GPS for a range of other needs:
- 76% use it to get accurate ETAs.
- 57% use it to find alternate routes.
- 52% count on it to alert them to traffic issues.
- 37% use it to locate stops along their route, like gas stations or restaurants.
These results show that GPS has become deeply embedded in how Americans drive, plan, and adjust their travel. It has become an essential tool for many to feel in control behind the wheel.
Closing Thoughts
GPS has become a driving companion for millions of Americans, guiding them through daily commutes, road trips, and unfamiliar streets. But how much drivers rely on it varies widely across the country, often depending on how complex or congested their local road systems are.
From the crowded roads of the Northeast to the open highways of rural states, GPS can make all the difference in helping drivers feel confident and stay on track.
While relying on GPS isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s not a guarantee of a smooth trip. When the unexpected happens, like a crash or traffic-related injury, Murphy & Practhauser is here to help. Our experienced car accident attorneys focus on getting you the support you need to move forward safely and confidently.
Methodology
To determine the states that are most and least reliant on their GPS, we surveyed over 2,400 people from 48 states and asked them a series of questions about their use of navigation systems while driving. The survey took place over two weeks in March 2025.
Our GPS reliance score is based on the respondents’ answers to 10 questions about their GPS usage. Our questions got insight into the frequency of GPS use, navigation confidence without it, and how they’d react if they could never use GPS again, among others. Answers were provided using different scales and were assigned values after the survey was complete. Answers that indicate someone used GPS more often got a higher score.
The average value for each question was calculated for each state and scaled. We equally weighted each question and totaled the values to give us a GPS reliance score for each state in the study.