Navigation uncertainties cleared up

Organic Maps and OsmAnd route without data for driving, walking and cycling. Google Maps and HERE WeGo route offline for driving within downloaded areas. Waze does not offer map downloads.

It can be your main tool, but carry a paper map, compass and power bank, and know how to use them. Cold drains batteries quickly.

It depends on area and app. In our own downloads, a county-sized region ranged from about 100 MB to several hundred MB. Estimate

Not always. Free tools cover most driving and city trips. Subscriptions usually unlock outdoor offline maps, advanced planning and live tracking.

GPX is an open format for routes, tracks and waypoints. It moves a plan between planners, apps and GPS devices such as Garmin or Wahoo units.

Waze allows one added stop. Google Maps and Apple Maps allow several. Komoot, Ride with GPS and OsmAnd handle many route points. Limits change, so check current documentation. Documented

They are reliable for overall shape and approximate total ascent but can smooth out short, steep sections where terrain data is coarse.

Many apps assume steady movement without breaks. Naismith’s rule, about 5 km per hour plus one hour per 600 m of ascent, plus your own margin, is usually more realistic.

It is safest when time-limited, shared with few trusted people and switched off afterwards. It needs a data connection to update.

Some driving apps show chargers, and vehicles with built-in navigation may plan charging. Dedicated tools such as A Better Routeplanner give more detailed charging plans.