I really wish Google Maps wouldn't be pushing these reroutes by default. A friend was pulled over a few days ago in a small town off the Interstate (the sort of

I really wish Google Maps wouldn't be pushing these reroutes by default. A friend was pulled over a few days ago in a small town off the Interstate (the sort of place with bored LE) and got embroiled in all sorts of legal nonsense thanks to this "feature". There's only one obvious route (and I know it well), so I couldn't figure out how she was "caught up" in the aforementioned city. She said Google Maps had redirected her off the Interstate and that she had spent 40 minutes driving back roads. I didn't believe her. The next day I was driving as she played navigator with her phone. It was a highway route that I know well. Several times it redirected us around "slowdowns" and (what it referred to as) construction. Out of curiosity due to the prior events, I begrudgingly obliged it's instructions. It was completely nonsensical... Not only did it not save time, but it added a whole new dimension of additional stress driving through unfamiliar, unsigned, back roads. I don't know that I feel comfortable using or recommending the current incarnation of Google Maps navigation to others. It's great and all when you already know exactly where and how you're going someplace. The traffic estimates can be invaluable. However until they scale back this rerouting business, I'd be really weary of using it any further. There are plenty of decent "dumb" navigation apps that won't fuck you like this.