But is it better? Buying maps and planning a road trip is satifying. Blindly following the voice on waze, not really. Worst part is getting there and not knownig how to get back without waze because I was zoned out of the surroundings.
Although the one part that is unequivocally better is the real-time traffic/incident info to reroute around trouble.
I think it is. I can recall driving alone trying to steal quick peeks at the paper map. Safer (but more difficult) was doing map-based navigation in light aircraft.
Database-backed GPS transformed both of those to be easier and safer to use while traveling.
I can remember in the early 90s going to AAA to get paper maps for upcoming trips, buying a Rand McNally almanac for the car, etc.
First getting mapquest and then later in-car GPS and later Waze has been super convenient.