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How do you write driving directions?

Do you have any tips for making better driving directions? My mom doesn’t have a smartphone so I have to write out her directions by hand. I know that my directions can be really confusing sometimes, so I’d like to improve them if I can.

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While your driving directions will, of course, be different for every route, there are some general rules that you can follow to improve their quality and effectiveness!
Here are some tips to make your driving directions clearer:
  • Be specific with street names. When you need to make a turn, make a note of the direction you’ll be turning and the street you’ll be turning on.
  • Use landmarks. Sometimes, telling someone to
    turn
    right at the McDonald’s is much more effective than giving them a street name.
  • Be concise. Remember, the person reading your directions will be driving. Try to keep your directions as short and informative as possible.
  • Use directions. If your mom is really good with cardinal directions, you can tell her to head south down the highway. Otherwise, stick to left and right when writing out your directions, since that requires a lot less thought while driving.
  • Maintain a logical progression. Make sure that your directions are ordered correctly and formatted in steps so that your mom can easily make out when she has to make each turn.
  • Stay by the phone. If all else fails, be prepared to give your mom verbal directions over the phone if she gets lost.
Since you’re already researching how to give good directions, why not take an extra minute to research your car insurance options? The
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