If you are going to go somewhere you won't have data either because it is the middle of nowhere or because you don't have data in the US, the TomTom app is good, but very pricy.
It downloads the entire map onto your phone and uses your phone GPS even when you have no data connection.
You can cache Google maps for offline use too but you have to remember to do it in advance and on a few occasions i got burned and didn't have the map cached when I needed it after lost data, which is a real PIRA, so....
If you will just be driving in Canada in urban areas or if you plan to have data when you drive in the US Google maps is great.
Yes they both give goodverbal directions. My only gripe with Google is it sometimes gives directions a little late, "take the exit left" when you are within only seconds is missing it and can't do anything.
But overall it works great and Google is the best for adapting in real-time to road construction, closures, and traffic better than most alternatives. With others I find they can keep trying to send me through a roadblock even when I try to mark it unless I drive far enough around that there pick a different route.
