A computer-implemented method for managing network connections for a plurality of autonomous vehicles (390; 590), AVs, operating throughout a given region, the method being performed by one or more processors (1210; 1310) of a backend computing system (250; 300) that communicates with the AVs and comprising: storing a network resource map (237; 400) comprising a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types provided by base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receiving network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically updating the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identifying a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the spectrum heat map, determining a connection schedule for the selected AV, the connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection in order to maintain communications between the selected AV and the backend computing system (250; 300) throughout the travel route; transmitting the connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route to transmit and receive communications with the backend computing system (250; 300); and identifying a crowded network and transmitting network configuration commands to cause AVs of the plurality of AVs in a crowded network area to reduce bandwidth usage in order to free up bandwidth for necessary communications between the AVs and the backend computing system; wherein determining the connection schedule comprises identifying, using the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route, wherein each network in the string of networks represents a network having a highest bandwidth among respective available networks at a corresponding location point of the location points along the travel route. storing a network resource map (237; 400) comprising a spectrum heat map in a memory resource, the spectrum heat map indicating network coverage strength for a plurality of network types provided by base stations located throughout the given region; dynamically receiving network quality data for each of the plurality of network types from the plurality of AVs traveling throughout the given region; dynamically updating the spectrum heat map based on the received network quality data; identifying a travel route for a selected one of the plurality of AVs; using the spectrum heat map, determining a connection schedule for the selected AV, the connection schedule indicating location points along the travel route at which the selected AV is to switch from a previous network connection to a succeeding network connection in order to maintain communications between the selected AV and the backend computing system (250; 300) throughout the travel route; transmitting the connection schedule to the selected AV to enable the selected AV to switch connections at the location points along the travel route to transmit and receive communications with the backend computing system (250; 300); and identifying a crowded network and transmitting network configuration commands to cause AVs of the plurality of AVs in a crowded network area to reduce bandwidth usage in order to free up bandwidth for necessary communications between the AVs and the backend computing system; wherein determining the connection schedule comprises identifying, using the spectrum heat map, a string of networks along the travel route, wherein each network in the string of networks represents a network having a highest bandwidth among respective available networks at a corresponding location point of the location points along the travel route.