GPS Thinks Your Driveway Is a Shortcut (And That’s a Problem)
Imagine living peacefully at the end of a quiet, dead end street for six decades, only to suddenly find random drivers in your carport demanding you move your vehicle so they can pass through. This has been the frustrating reality for many, including one Austell homeowner who has had enough.
For residents of Georgia, especially in areas like Cobb County where suburban streets can blend into private lots, this is becoming a surprisingly common nuisance. GPS apps like Google Maps and Waze are incredible tools… until they’re not. While they’re great at navigating you to the nearest Waffle House, they’re not always great at telling the difference between a public road and a private driveway.
So how does this happen in the first place? And what can you do if strangers keep showing up in your yard because of it?
When Private Driveways Become Public Roads
Here’s the deal: Most GPS and digital map systems rely on a combination of public data (like city planning and DOT databases), satellite imagery, and on-the-ground mapping by humans or cars with cameras. When your driveway happens to connect to another road, especially if it's paved and resembles a public street, the software can easily get confused. If a digital map sees a paved path that connects two roads, it might interpret it as a pass-through route, even if it's actually part of your private property.
In the Austell homeowner’s case, his driveway connects to another main road. It’s narrow, it runs right up to his carport, and it's very much not a county road. But to a satellite, it might look like a logical detour. Cue up to five vehicles a day sometimes showing up and treating his property like a shortcut to Kroger.
The issue is worsened when there’s a lack of clear signage. Cobb County, for example, put a "No Outlet" sign at the subdivision entrance, but didn’t follow through with a "Dead End" sign at the driveway itself. This might be enough to confuse human drivers, but it’s definitely not enough for GPS systems.
How to Set the “Route” Straight
The good news is, you don’t need to set up booby traps or install retractable spikes to reclaim your peace. There are actual steps you can take to report and fix GPS mapping errors.
First, you can manually report the issue to the big map platforms. Google Maps allows property owners to report problems through its “Report a data problem” tool. You can even draw on the map and describe the error in detail, noting that the area is a private driveway, not a public road. Apple Maps has a similar feature through the iPhone app. Just tap the map, scroll down, and hit “Report an Issue.” It’s surprisingly cathartic.
In addition to updating digital maps, it may be worth going old school. Contact your local county’s transportation or signage department to request appropriate signage. In Cobb County, residents can reach out through Cobb DOT’s Roadway Maintenance Division. A "Dead End" or "Private Drive" sign placed closer to the beginning of your street, and not just at the subdivision entrance, can go a long way toward deterring both human and digital confusion.
It’s also a good idea to check the county’s parcel maps or GIS (Geographic Information System) data to make sure your property is properly listed as private. Inaccurate public records can also feed into mapping software.
And if things really escalate, say if someone refuses to leave your property or causes damage, you have every right to involve law enforcement. Georgia law respects property boundaries, even when GPS doesn’t.
A Very Georgia Problem With a Very Georgia Fix
It’s not every day you have to explain to strangers that, no, this is not a shortcut to Highway 5, this is your carport. But here we are, living in a world where navigation apps have more power than the old wooden road signs of yesteryear.
So if you’re a Georgia homeowner dealing with unwanted GPS traffic, take heart. You’re not alone, and you’re not helpless. Map apps can be corrected, signs can be installed, and your driveway can once again be yours and yours alone. The next time someone rolls into your yard yelling about road access, you can simply smile and say, “You’re going the wrong way.”
For more information on GPS services, reports, and regulations, GPS.gov is a trustworthy and surprisingly informational resource.
Bonus content: There’s a scene in The Office where Michael Scott (played by Steve Carrell) tries to navigate with a faulty GPS map. It’s relevant to this article, but more importantly, it’s bound to put a smile on your face. If you have 2 and a half minutes, watch the scene on YouTube by clicking here.