How to get arrested or die from following Google Maps

[noelbotevera]

A spinoff of this thread, which also showed that Google would allow you to do illegal maneuvers if you forced it to. (I think kphoger's post showed an illegal U-turn on the Kansas Turnpike, which Google still thinks is fine.)

Let's take it to the next level, then.

Where are instances where Google will route you on restricted or nonexistent roads? These have to be legitimate suggestions Google probably will or will give you.

No limit to route length, though the longer routes you can find the better. More points if you start and end in a non-restricted area but Google encourages you to break the law anyways.

Some potential points of failure:
-Death Valley National Park, where Google (and other mapmaking services) make up imaginary roads that are nothing. In this case Google used old mapping data that date to when there were more roads, but have since eroded into nothingness.
-Rock Creek Parkway in D.C., where depending on the time of day you can smash into oncoming traffic (Google actually warns of this, but is still happy to route you on it even if you can die)
-Left turns prohibited in major cities depending on time of day (D.C., Boston, NYC), where Google is indiscriminate to the rules and happily suggests you make that left turn

I'll start the thread off with this, where the best way to get dinner is straight through an Army base.

[jeffandnicole]

Rock Creek Parkway in D.C., where depending on the time of day you can smash into oncoming traffic (Google actually warns of this, but is still happy to route you on it even if you can die)
-Left turns prohibited in major cities depending on time of day (D.C., Boston, NYC), where Google is indiscriminate to the rules and happily suggests you make that left turn

These are tough situations. It's one thing if you're jist laying in bed looking at GM. It's another thing if you're on the road actively using the GPS at the time.

[CNGL-Leudimin]

Try doing this route by car . This is how the road trail looks. Luckily Mr. Google won't choose this as first option.

[noelbotevera]

Rock Creek Parkway in D.C., where depending on the time of day you can smash into oncoming traffic (Google actually warns of this, but is still happy to route you on it even if you can die)
-Left turns prohibited in major cities depending on time of day (D.C., Boston, NYC), where Google is indiscriminate to the rules and happily suggests you make that left turn

These are tough situations. It's one thing if you're jist laying in bed looking at GM. It's another thing if you're on the road actively using the GPS at the time.

I mean, a theoretical way to make Google Maps screw up on the fly is to start a route at a time when either (a) the road changes direction or (b) the no left turn becomes enforced. These don't have to be active situations, but fun scenarios to see if the Goog lets you break the law.

Try doing this route by car . This is how the road trail looks. Luckily Mr. Google won't choose this as first option.

Changed the route, but bonus points for Google allowing you to drive on a cliffside trail. And hey, that's the spirit of this thread anyways.

[ErmineNotyours]

You would think Google would be smart enough to know ferry schedules, as it offers schedule bus itineraries in transit mode.  Leaving from just south of Oak Harbor to the Seattle area one night, it suggested taking the ferry at the south end of Whidbey Island instead of driving around.  I had to look up the ferry schedules because I didn't think they ran that late at night, and they don't.

[Ga293]

Normandy Road in New Jersey is off limits to civilian traffic, and anyone caught using it is subject to fines and/or imprisonment. Google Maps doesn't seem to route you on it unless you specify a point only accessible from it. However, don't follow the Streetview car down it.

[STLmapboy]

Using Google Maps in Syria or Somalia could be dangerous (unless Google has an intricate knowledge of military checkpoints, destroyed roads, and unanticipated tolls).

[TheGrassGuy]

I'm thinking of that Death Valley "death by GPS" story.

[1995hoo]

Google Maps will give you a routing by car to the East Front of the US Capitol, a highly-restricted area. Anyone attempting to drive a privately-owned vehicle there is a fool unless he's a member of Congress given authorization to drive there.

[briantroutman]

Google Maps will give you a routing by car to the East Front of the US Capitol, a highly-restricted area. Anyone attempting to drive a privately-owned vehicle there is a fool unless he's a member of Congress given authorization to drive there.

When I get a routing to the east steps of the US Capitol on Google Maps on desktop, I get an amber triangle with a disclaimer: "Restricted usage road" .

I've seen similar disclaimers on other roads which are physically traversable but within restricted areas, like on military installations, airports, private industrial complexes, etc.

[1995hoo]

Google Maps will give you a routing by car to the East Front of the US Capitol, a highly-restricted area. Anyone attempting to drive a privately-owned vehicle there is a fool unless he's a member of Congress given authorization to drive there.

When I get a routing to the east steps of the US Capitol on Google Maps on desktop, I get an amber triangle with a disclaimer: "Restricted usage road" .

I've seen similar disclaimers on other roads which are physically traversable but within restricted areas, like on military installations, airports, private industrial complexes, etc.

I got that too, but I didn't understand the OP to be excluding that sort of thing. Obviously there are plenty of people out there who will just obediently follow whatever directions a mapping service or device gives them.

[TheGrassGuy]

Don't military base restrictions also make clinching I-185, I-564, or I-781 impossible?

[Takumi]

Don't military base restrictions also make clinching I-185, I-564, or I-781 impossible?

I-564, at least, is perfectly clinchable, as it doesn't go through any restricted areas. Just stops being an interstate and turns into VA 337, which itself doesn't go through any restricted areas.

[SteveG1988]

Don't military base restrictions also make clinching I-185, I-564, or I-781 impossible?

All three have turn-around points the MPs can put you onto, and the freeway ends at the gate.

NJ68 on the other hand...yeah you cannot go to the endpoint in the circle due to fort dix shutting down all access.

[TheGrassGuy]

Don't military base restrictions also make clinching I-185, I-564, or I-781 impossible?

All three have turn-around points the MPs can put you onto, and the freeway ends at the gate.

NJ68 on the other hand...yeah you cannot go to the endpoint in the circle due to fort dix shutting down all access.

Is there a list of numbered highways that end at military bases?

[bwana39]

If you ask for directions from the Galveston Causeway to Point Bolivar (which is via ferry) . There is often a 90 minute + wait for the ferry.
Google maps will take you along TX-275 to downtown then try to get you onto Ferry Blvd closer to the ferry port  using left turns. 

Left turns are prohibited when there are lines. Cutting is prohibited.  The police actively patrol the line and are not particularly nice dealing with the scofflaws. 

The only time this routing will benefit anyone is if there are no lines. Those using GPS are probably tourists and probably there will be a line. Google maps should have just kept the ferry bound traffic on Broadway (SH87) all the way to the seawall. 

Often the line actually extends past the junction of Broadway and Seawall BLVD, but the no cutting rules do not seem to start before you get onto Ferry Blvd.

[TheGrassGuy]

The OP's example actually doesn't count. The McGuire clinic is inside the army base (as the name suggests). If the directions were between two points outside the army base, then that would be illegal.

[TheGrassGuy]

If you ask for directions from the Galveston Causeway to Point Bolivar (which is via ferry) . There is often a 90 minute + wait for the ferry.
Google maps will take you along TX-275 to downtown then try to get you onto Ferry Blvd closer to the ferry port  using left turns. 

Left turns are prohibited when there are lines. Cutting is prohibited.  The police actively patrol the line and are not particularly nice dealing with the scofflaws. 

The only time this routing will benefit anyone is if there are no lines. Those using GPS are probably tourists and probably there will be a line. Google maps should have just kept the ferry bound traffic on Broadway (SH87) all the way to the seawall. 

Often the line actually extends past the junction of Broadway and Seawall BLVD, but the no cutting rules do not seem to start before you get onto Ferry Blvd.

By Ferry Blvd, I'm assuming you mean Ferry Rd (SH-87)?

EDIT: "Broadway Avenue J" 

[noelbotevera]

The OP's example actually doesn't count. The McGuire clinic is inside the army base (as the name suggests). If the directions were between two points outside the army base, then that would be illegal.

Now I feel dumb. See, on Google you can tell where roads are restricted (a darker shade of white aka gray). I also saw stores around the clinic (an Arby's, Burger King, etc.) and the roads there are not restricted. Guess that's what happens when you assume.

[Rothman]

Don't military base restrictions also make clinching I-185, I-564, or I-781 impossible?

All three have turn-around points the MPs can put you onto, and the freeway ends at the gate.

NJ68 on the other hand...yeah you cannot go to the endpoint in the circle due to fort dix shutting down all access.

Is there a list of numbered highways that end at military bases?

The end of I-185 changed a few years ago, I thought, since they moved the Fort's visitor center out of the middle of the highway.  I don't think the U-turn is available right before the gate anymore (might be wrong).

I ended up at the gate due to the construction.  They just had me turn around.  Wasn't a big deal.