Road maps

Road maps have to be consulted in the planning stages of any lengthy automotive trip in the past. These maps were frequently offered by gas stations without charge. The maps conveniently marked the locations of the company's stations. They became obsolete for many individuals, some of whom have probably never seen one, thanks to Global Positioning Systems.

What good is a paper map, after all, when a phone can tell you where to turn, how far to drive in a certain direction, and which side of the street your destination is on? But in the near future, printed road maps and its companion, the trip guide, might very well return. Why? Because of the previously quaint marketing approach of notifying the customer where they may find company brand gasoline outlets.

In the future, as more and more electric vehicles roll off the production lines, trip preparation may once more involve more than just packing a bag. The number of miles per charge and the length of time needed to charge an electric vehicle's battery varies greatly. Before leaving, drivers must be aware of the locations of charging stations and other amenities, so they may take advantage of them while waiting for their vehicle to refuel.

Of course, they will also require advance knowledge of the range between charges.While it will be possible to get the information online, it might be more practical to spread out a road map on a table while making travel plans.