In many parts of the west we have wide open spaces with long stretches of road that seem to be endless to the eye and to the backside. It comes to mind too little just how unprepared most of us are when it comes to planning a trip, even 100 miles away. A car, by design, is usually equipped with all the bells and whistles, as we say. Any who have been lost, even within a cities' borders understand that frustration.
Technological advances can eliminate getting lost anymore.
However, I wonder if it is still enough. I know several people who have vowed after a harrowing experience to never be unprepared again. Several were stranded by tire damage, others by engine trouble and even one by fire in the engine which incidentally destroyed the entire vehicle and injured two people. Years ago, when my children were young, we lived in Southern California. We were making our annual trek back to Utah for Thanksgiving.