Before internet maps, one typically had a buy a roadmap of every new place they visited. I had an accordion-style folder in the back of my car with about 40 maps. For big metropolitan areas one could buy a Thomas Guide, which is essentially a book of maps. If one is just driving through a new area, then travel maps covered the roads adjacent to typical gas stops. Often these were given away free because they had hotel and restaurant ads.
Some did have mistakes. Boo boo's aren't new.
In the mid 90's one could get reasonably priced software maps of every road in the USA, to print out before starting a trip.
Once on a date I got lost and dug out the Thomas Guide. My date said, "Screw the map, go that way!" She never learned to read maps, but had an instinct for finding freeways based on studying the town. There are certain patterns actually. I was impressed. People make do.
That's my whippersnapper story of the day.