If you’re considering an overlanding or off-roading trip, you’ll need a quiver of off-road driving skills like how to handle sand, mud, river crossings, and steeps climbs. Four 4×4 experts weigh in on the the key overlanding skills to master for a successful journey on the backroads. Learn about the best overlanding maps, tire pressure, and how to develop “trail vision.”
offroading
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Dreaming of taking an exotic vacation? Plan now, travel later with the Nat Geo Baja California maps. Find the best spots for surfing and sightseeing along the coast, or follow remote backroads to reach the rugged 10,000’ peaks of the interior. These maps are available with a Premium membership and cover both the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur — an adventure paradise!
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Take your adventures off-road with the best maps for overlanding. This list includes favorites like Gaia Overland, USFS Roads and Trails, and Motor Vehicle Use Maps. Plus unlock a few bonus maps you might not know about. Discover new trails, go further off the grid, and be prepared for what’s ahead with these key map sources.
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Ditch the crowds with Gaia Overland, our brand new overlanding map. Designed in-house for planning big routes, navigating tricky terrain, and rerouting on the fly, Gaia Overland is the definitive map for all of your overlanding, offroading, and motorized adventures. MVUM, USFS, public land boundaries – it’s all in here. Take Gaia Overland offline and put it right on your vehicle’s dashboard.
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Overlanding upgrades often include expensive add-ons like lockers, a winch, or a new suspension. But there is a simple upgrade that will improve your vehicle’s traction, and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Try airing down your tires. In this article, you’ll learn how to gauge tire pressure, the different methods for airing down, tools to make it easy, and how to air back up when you hit the pavement.
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This year our cartographers and engineers worked hard to generate new maps and features to make Gaia GPS even better for your adventures. Learn about the updates that overlanders can’t imagine living without.
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Android Auto is here! Gaia GPS now connects with Android Auto, bringing all your favorite trail maps directly to your vehicle’s navigation screen. Pull up the MVUMs, satellite imagery, National Geographic Trails Illustrated, and more, all on the big screen on the dash. View waypoints and follow turn-by-turn directions with any saved route on backcountry dirt roads and front-country pavement — worldwide. No cell service needed.
It was such a treat to see so many of you at Overland Expo Mountain West! Thank you to everyone who swung by our tent, and to our partners who put on incredible classes. We’re listening to your feedback to make Gaia GPS even better. Feeling FOMO expo? Catch up here.
We’ve revamped Gaia GPS on Android Auto to give you full functionality from your dashboard. Pan around on your navigation screen to view other parts of the map. Pinch the screen to zoom in and out. Drop waypoints to mark key locations, and enjoy clearer visibility so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
The trails are melting out, and it’s time to start planning spring and summer adventures. The USFS Roads and Trails layer makes finding your next route especially easy. Trails are color-coded so you can tell whether they’re mountain bike friendly, open to motor vehicles, or even allow horses. Plus, this layer shows trails and backroads that you won’t find on any other map.