Paper maps are slowly being replaced by online maps, but you can still find a good supply if you know where to look. Would you rather have something of quality that you can hold in your hands? you may be wondering where you can find these paper maps. I thought I’d share some font ideas for your next road trip, vacation planning, DIY, or craft project.
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free or low-cost paper maps
If you don’t have a stock of paper maps on hand for your next trip or craft project, you can find them in a variety of places. remember that someone (possibly your own tax dollars) pays for the printing of these maps. please be courteous and don’t just grab loads of them. be conservative and considerate and only take what you will use right away.
reuse maps for DIY and recycled crafts
I’ve shared some ideas in the past (like this one) about creating fun crafts and gifts using printed and paper maps or recycling maps as wrapping paper. these are perfect personalized items for yourself or gifts for your favorite travel lover. you can customize the project with maps of loved places. And the best news is that you’re helping the environment by reusing paper that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
free pick up in usa. uu. state, city or region maps
Pass by any state, regional, or local visitor center in the United States and you’ll likely find dozens, if not hundreds, of free printed maps and brochures. If it’s the first visitor center you pass after entering the state, you’ll often find a wide variety of maps and information about each region of the state. then, as you travel throughout the state, you can usually find smaller visitor centers specific to that region, city, or town with more localized information. in almost all cases they will have maps for free or at a very reasonable cost.
Remember, their business is to help you have a good time in your area to help the local economy, so they’re usually happy to give them away. sometimes they even have topo maps, biking and hiking maps, national and state park maps. I’ve also seen paper maps that highlight a specific theme, such as historic sites, winery trails, farms, artists, or anything people would like to see in the region.
the fun of using paper maps
Some people might think you’ve gone crazy if you’re looking for paper maps to use on your next road trip. our culture has become so dependent on technology, smartphones, personal computers, smart watches and much more to plan and navigate our trip. I am as guilty as anyone. If someone asks a question about anything, I’ll probably be the first person to pull out my phone and look for the answer. my brother, on the other hand, still has an old flip phone with no data or gps service. he gets around with maps and written directions and even walks everywhere he can. his life is much slower than most and he likes it that way.
It may be incomprehensible for you to imagine how to manage your trip the old-fashioned way, but I’m here to tell you that it’s possible. It takes a little more time and effort, but it brings a whole new perspective on travel. you might be surprised how much more fun you have interacting with humans instead of devices. I recently came across this fun book called “Paper Maps, No Apps: An Offline Travel Adventure“. Johnny Welsh delivers a creative and hilarious travel memoir that encourages us all to unplug more than we do now. Check it out. It will give you a lot of laughs and maybe a new perspective on technology.
Have Them Mailed to You
Not on the road and can’t get to a visitor center or tourist office in person? you can find all the us state tourism websites and how to contact them in this u.s.a. government page travel and tourism. they often have visitor packages that they mail out. or find a phone number, email, or website where you can order the items you’re interested in receiving. As postage and printing rates rise, promoting paper map shipping may not be as easy to find, but it never hurts to ask. remember not to waste taxpayers’ money (including your own) on postage, printing and paper. only order what you know you will use.
for example: this is where you can request a travel guide and map of virginia
amazon print and wall maps
Of course, amazon will also have a wide variety of maps. You can find anything from individual printed paper maps of cities, states, countries, or the world to beautiful wall maps, map wallpaper, globes, laminated maps, vintage and historical maps, and pretty much anything else you can think of.
etsy paper maps and craft maps
If you still haven’t been able to find exactly what you’re looking for, etsy is packed with all sorts of options for old, vintage and modern maps. some will be authentic and others will be reproductions. you can even find maps already cut into circles or hearts for your next project. if you’re using them for a craft project, a reproduction is probably your most cost-effective option. there is no need to pay for an original map if you are just going to cut it. Plus, you won’t have to deal with any crease marks.
USGS and Federal Land Maps
have you ever heard of the usg? The United States Geological Survey is a scientific bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. These scientists research and provide vital information on natural hazards that threaten the lives and livelihoods of Americans and the world.
one of the services that the usgs offers on its website are the maps of each of the united states. national forests and grasslands. You can search for these maps by state or name here. These US Forest Service visitor maps are not free, but offer information on attractions, facilities, services, and opportunities within each National Forest or Grassland.
usgs also offers a wide variety of other maps in different formats for scientific, educational, or personal interest. some can be downloaded in pdf format (often free), some are paper maps and can be ordered to be mailed to you. Below is a list of some of the different types of maps you’ll find there. I can’t list them all because there are so many different types.
Antarctica maps, county maps, geological maps, hazard maps, historical maps, hydrological maps, national atlas maps, national park maps, planet and moon maps, state maps, topographic maps, world maps.
If you love maps, science, beauty, or just love to learn, I can guarantee you will spend hours on this site exploring all the interesting information, educational materials, and maps available there. The colorful Colorado Geological Map above is just one example of the magnificent maps you’ll find that turn science into art. have fun exploring!
bonus: educational institutions can also receive discounts of up to 50% on qualifying usgs products!
international paper maps
if you reside in the us. uu. and look for maps of other countries, many of them have tourist offices in the United States. this link takes you to a list of foreign countries/destinations and regions and their tourist information offices within the united states. where available, include each other’s address, phone number, and website. If the country does not have a tourist office in America, the address of the embassy or consulate and the website of the tourist board (if there is a website) are provided.
Garage sales, thrift stores, antique stores, libraries, used bookstores
Prices will vary greatly at these locations depending on the value of the map. you can sometimes find loads of road maps at yard sales and they’ll pay you to take them off your hands. Antique shops can be another story on price, but you never know what treasures you’ll find there for a reasonable price if you want to haggle.
Libraries often sell outdated books for $1 each at their book sales. you could find old atlas books that are no longer accurate with hundreds of pages of maps. Used bookstores are another great source of maps and atlases and their prices are generally very reasonable. some stores will even allow you to trade or sell some of your own books in exchange for their products. As a side note, these are also amazing places to find old or vintage postcards. They’re also great craft and DIY projects for those who love to travel.
american automobile association – aaa paper maps
If you or someone you know is a member of AAA, you (or they) can pick up a current state map, a map of the us, and a map of the United States. uu. or various regional and city maps for free. some international maps are also available for free. all you have to do is stop by an office and show them your aaa membership card. the selection at each branch will vary and they will generally have more detailed maps for your region. If you’re visiting the other side of the country, stop at an AAA office and get more specific maps for that area. these free maps are part of the benefit of being a paid member. You can also download and print some maps from their website here.
custom mapbox maps
If you still haven’t found the perfect printed map for your purposes, check out “mapbox studio” online. This mapping tool is available online and through iOS and Android apps for your phone.
“mapbox studio is like photoshop, for maps. We give designers control over everything, from colors and fonts to 3d features and camera angles, to the tone of the map when a car enters a curve.”
As a mapbox user, you can create exactly the map you want and then print the static map yourself. you can also send it to your local print shop for higher quality color or large format printing. the possibilities are endless.
DIY tabletop project with custom map
I recently used free maps to make two upcycled ikea tables that highlight places my husband and I have lived. it was so much fun, easy, and really spruced up a couple of dingy looking tables that were still usable. you can find all the instructions on how to make them here.
Do you have a good source for free or low-cost maps that I’m missing? Have you used maps for a DIY, craft, or recycling project? I’d love to hear about it. if so, let me know in the comments below.
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