The best GPS devices for hitting the open road

This foolproof GPS device will get you from home to work with ease (even if you know the route, traffic and road conditions can change, so you might need a GPS). For less than $200, the Garmin DriveSmart 51 NA LMT-S features a five-inch touchscreen GPS that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth to also give you the hands-free option of placing phone calls, reading text messages, and getting calendar reminders without taking your eyes off the road.

The GPS is equipped with Garmin’s detailed travel and traffic maps that will show you when and where a traffic jam or road repairs may occur in real-time. It also comes with free lifetime updates, so you’ll always feel good about getting to your final destination safe and sound. It's a bit older than Garmin's newest models, but the price reflects that, and the reliability is all there.

The Garmin Speak is a GPS device that combines the convenience of Amazon Alexa with the reliability of Garmin, if you’re looking for a completely hands-free solution for getting directions and driving at the same time. It’s also really simple to use and pairs directly with your smartphone and the Garmin app via Bluetooth. In fact, there is only a simple display and no touchscreen, so it’s really all about using the power of speech.

If you need directions to Starbucks, just say: "Hey Alexa! Ask Garmin to get directions to the nearest Starbucks" and the assistant will give you turn-by-turn directions. It’s basically like having an Echo Dot on your dashboard. And since it’s Alexa-enabled, it has the same functionality of any Amazon device, so you can pull up news and weather, shuffle play your playlists, order items from Amazon, and get information on just about anything on the Internet.

In addition, the GPS also has the option for a built-in dash cam that will record and save car footage with a simple voice command. That could save you from theft or accidents, or make the consequences of either unfortunate circumstance a little easier to deal with.

The TomTom Via 1525SE is pretty simple device, but it's well-designed. The 5-inch resistive touchscreen is very responsive, so you won't need to be distracted any longer than is necessary from driving. Lane guidance is one very important thing for automotive navigation (definitely not speaking from recent experience), and TomTom makes sure to incorporate that into the user interface seamlessly and clearly.

Road changes are reflected in quarterly updates, although you do have to connect the GPS to your computer to install them. That and the fact that the TomTom Via 1525SE only supports North American and U.S.-only maps prevents it from being a good GPS across borders, but if you're just looking for a simple device that will guide you around your local area/country, this option won't break the bank.

The Garmin dezl 580 LMT-S is built for professional drivers and commercial use of long-haul semi-trucks. Even if that's not you, a professional-grade GPS designed for larger vehicles can be helpful if you drive a pickup truck, an RV, or have a trailer attached to your car.

Some of the features that might come in handy are its customizable vehicle weight/height inputs, which it uses to warn you of bridge heights and weight limits. It can also alert you to bends and curves in the road that could be unremarkable for a smaller vehicle but potentially dangerous for a taller or longer one. A built-in directory factors in ratings by professional drivers to point you to the nearest parking, accommodations, Wi-Fi, and more.

This GPS is particularly useful for road trips, since it has options for break planning that include timed notifications and its directory can be filtered by brand or amenity, if you're particularly attached to a certain food option or want a shower at your next rest stop.

The Garmin dezl 580 LMT-S is a bit pricy, but packs in extra features for those going off the beaten path or driving larger vehicles.

The TomTom GO Supreme is the perfect GPS for traveling the world. With its five-inch screen, the GO Supreme delivers maps and real-time traffic information just like any other good GPS device, but it comes with the added bonus of lifetime updates and access to maps from around the world at no additional cost. Plus, the updates are automatic, which is extra convenient for traveling — no need to tote around a laptop to ensure that your route calculations aren't outdated.

World maps are ready for download whenever you need them, so you can rest assured that you’ll never get lost, even if you’re in a foreign country. The device is even compatible with Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant via Bluetooth (with notifications showing up on the bottom of the screen), so you can drive with both hands on the wheel (as you should, all the time, everywhere).

Whether you're planning a lengthy road trip across the continent or picking your child up from school and wanting to avoid traffic or road closures, this device from Garmin has something to help. From small things like driver alerts for potential hazards like school zones, sharp curves and speed changes, to specific ones like a database of the history behind points of interest and a directory of national parks, the DriveSmart 76 not only navigates for you, but also improves your overall driving experience.

Plus, this option comes with a camera that attaches to your license plate and transmits the image to your screen, so you can reverse with confidence. Or, if you'd rather, you can get a mount for easier installation. Unfortunately, there is no option for both mount and camera with the GPS unit itself. Another drawback is that it requires connection to an Internet-enabled phone for access to all its functions, but if you're fine with that, there are few better GPS options out there.

Although most GPS devices have WiFi built-in, the TomTom GO 620 is the perfect smartphone companion to get the most out of your mobile device and your GPS. It's not as new as the TomTom GO Supreme, but it's a bit cheaper.

Compatible with Apple Siri and Google Assistant, this GPS device can sync directly to your iOS or Android smartphone for up-to-the-minute traffic alerts and re-routes to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic. It can also read your text messages and emails aloud, so you can keep your eyes on the road and not your smartphone. 

The TomTom GO 620 features the bells and whistles you'd come to expect from a GPS device, like free lifetime maps (worldwide!) and an interactive touchscreen display, but it also comes with the peace of mind you need when driving and texting is just not an option.

If you're looking for a GPS that will aid you in your adventures while also helping you find new ones, then this it. The TomTom Rider 550 is the perfect GPS for motorcyclists who live for the feeling of wind flowing through their hair. (Or around their helmet.) The Winding & Hilly road function lets you intentionally choose paths that are more difficult and exciting.

This GPS was made with bikers in mind, and was designed with a screen that easily allows riders to still use the device even when they have on gloves. If you're a biker who lives for adventure, or just one in need of a good GPS, the TomTom Rider 550 is a great option.