Garmin Drive 53: The Ultimate Road Trip Companion

Garmin Drive™ 53 with Traffic, GPS Navigator, High-Resolution Touchscreen, Simple On-Screen Menus and Easy-to-See Map, Driver and Traffic Alerts on Amazon

Are you looking for a reliable, easy-to-use, and elegant GPS navigator for your car? Do you want to avoid traffic delays, find the best places to visit, and enjoy your road trips confidently and conveniently? If you answered yes, then you need to check out the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator. This device is the latest addition to the popular Garmin Drive product line that offers a simple, streamlined navigation solution.

What is the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator?

The Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator is a car GPS with a high-resolution 5” touchscreen display, alerts for traffic, speed changes, and a national parks directory. It comes with detailed map updates of North America and is available in two models – one includes a vehicle power cable with a traffic antenna that uses dynamic data to give you alerts and offer alternative routes when delays from road work, accidents, and other traffic conditions arise. The other model does not include the traffic option but still provides you with the core navigation features of the Garmin Drive 53.

The Garmin Drive 53 is designed to help you get to your destination faster, safer, and easier. It has a modern, high-end aesthetic that makes it easy for you to follow your recommended route. It also has several road trip-ready features that help you enhance your expedition. Whether you are making a trip across the country with your family or commuting daily in your own city, you will love the beautiful display and straightforward navigation of the Garmin Drive 53.

What are the features and benefits of the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator?

The Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator has many features and benefits that make it stand out from other GPS navigators in the market. Here are some of them:

• Bright, 5” glass touchscreen display (800×480 resolution): The Garmin Drive 53 has a large, clear, and responsive screen that allows you to see your route and other information easily. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast settings to suit your preference and visibility conditions.
• Traffic option with included cable: The Garmin Drive 53 & Traffic model comes with a vehicle power cable that has a built-in traffic antenna. This antenna receives dynamic data from the Garmin Traffic service, which provides you with real-time updates on traffic conditions, road closures, accidents, and more. The Garmin Drive 53 & Traffic will alert you of any traffic issues along your route and suggest alternative routes if available. You can avoid traffic jams, save time, and reduce stress. The Garmin Traffic service is free and does not require any subscription or fees.
• Detailed map updates of North America: The Garmin Drive 53 comes with preloaded maps of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. You can also download additional maps of other regions from the Garmin website. The maps are updated regularly and include the latest road changes, points of interest, and landmarks. You can also customize your maps with your own favorites, waypoints, and routes. The Garmin Drive 53 will notify you when new map updates are available and guide you through the easy installation process.
• Driver alerts for potential hazards along the route: The Garmin Drive 53 will warn you of potential hazards and cautions along your route, such as school zones, speed limit changes, sharp curves, railroad crossings, animal crossings, red light cameras, speed cameras, and more. These alerts will help you drive more safely and responsibly, and avoid fines and tickets.
• Thorough directory of U.S. national parks: The Garmin Drive 53 has a built-in directory of U.S. national parks that helps you easily find entrances, visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, scenic views, and landmarks within the park. You can also access information on park history, activities, hours, fees, and contact details. The Garmin Drive 53 is the perfect companion for exploring the natural wonders of America.
• Tripadvisor traveler ratings: The Garmin Drive 53 has a partnership with Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, that allows you to access millions of traveler reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and more. You can use this feature to find the best places to stay, eat, and visit along your route or at your destination. You can also compare prices, check availability, and make reservations directly from your Garmin Drive 53.
• Dedicated GPS navigator: The Garmin Drive 53 is a dedicated GPS navigator that does not rely on your cell phone or internet connection to provide you with accurate and reliable navigation. This means that you can use your Garmin Drive 53 without draining your cell phone battery or experiencing phone call interruptions during route guidance. You can also use your Garmin Drive 53 in areas where cell phone coverage is weak or unavailable, such as rural or remote locations.

What are the specifications of the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator?

The Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator has the following specifications:

• Dimensions: 5.5”W x 3.3”H x 0.8”D (14.0 x 8.4 x 2.0 cm)
• Weight: 6.0 oz (170.8 g)
• Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery life: Up to 1 hour
• Display type: WQVGA color TFT with white backlight
• Display size: 4.4”W x 2.5”H (11.1 x 6.3 cm); 5.0” diag (12.7 cm)
• Display resolution: 480 x 272 pixels
• Memory: Internal solid state
• Data cards: microSD™ card (not included)
• Interface: USB
• Maps and Memory: Preloaded street maps, including map updates, ability to add maps, storage, and power capacity, microSD™ card (not included)
• Navigation features: Garmin Real Directions™ landmark guidance, millions of Foursquare® points of interest, Tripadvisor® traveler ratings, route shaping through preferred cities/streets, voice-activated navigation (operate device with spoken commands), traffic compatibility, lifetime traffic updates, lane assistance with junction view (displays junction signs), speed limit indicator (displays speed limit for most major roads in the U.S. and Europe), driver alerts for sharp curves, school zones, red light and speed camera warnings, and more
• Additional features: Trip planner, trip log, Garmin Express™ compatible (easy-to-use desktop software that lets you update your maps and software, transfer favorites to and from devices, and install free custom vehicles and voices)

Top Reviews

DudleyP

5.0 out of 5 stars GPS Navigator

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024

This is a great unit. Small, compact, and works perfectly. Easy-to-follow instructions on setup and use. Is exactly what I was looking for and my needs.

Chas

VINE VOICE

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for my out of state travel

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023

I previously had a Garmin Nuvi 2577 and this one is very similar except it seems faster. Otherwise, it operates very similarly. Travel ETA works well - provided you're not in an area with heavy traffic regularly. Drove with this en route to LAX on a Saturday and the ETA would update back and forth regularly by as much as 30 minutes. Let's not put too much of that on Garmin though. My passenger was checking similar on Google Maps at the same time and it was back and forth too. But FYI.

Meanwhile, with my Nuvi, I would routinely load 'points of interest' (POI) using Garmin's separate loader for such things. Worked great. The problem with the Drive 53 is that loading POI only works if you're using a Windows machine to load them. I'm mainly an Apple Mac user though. Didn't work with my MacBook pro. Garmin support said to try on Windows. I happen to also have an old Windows machine so I did. That worked. Garmin needs to put the POI loading capability into Garmin Express. Why is it done with a separate app? and now only working for Windows users?

My old Nuvi 2577 came with both US and European maps loaded. This one only has US maps. Bummer. To get the EU maps, that'll be another $100. Why so much more?!

R. K. Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and suitable for purpose

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024

Very nice upgrade to my older Garmin that ran out of memory. The screen is much easier to read, and I easily added a 32 GB memory card to it to ensure it would serve my needs for years to come. I did not want to upgrade, but I am glad that I did.

Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars This GPS works very well

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2023

This Garmin is very nice. I downloaded the updated software from Garmin and installed it. Then I charged up the GPS and connected it to the computer. The software found it and updated the GPS operating system and the maps. Then I took it out for a test drive. I knew where I needed to go, but had never been there before. My new friend Garmin guided me all the way there. I am a happy camper. The screen is bright, and clear, and the graphics are nice and crisp.

Adding unlimited data for GPS operation on my cell phone would be more expensive in the long run than this Garmin. For me, this is a worthy investment.

What are some FAQs about the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator?

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator:

• Q: How do I set up and use my Garmin Drive 53?

• A: Setting up and using your Garmin Drive 53 is easy and intuitive. You just need to follow these steps:

  • Connect your device to your vehicle power cable and mount it on your windshield or dashboard using the suction cup mount.
  • Turn on your device and follow the on-screen prompts to select your language, time zone, and units of measure.
  • Acquire GPS signals by driving to an open area away from tall buildings and trees. The GPS signal strength bars in the upper-left corner of the map screen will indicate when your device has acquired GPS signals.
  • Enter your destination by using the search bar, browsing the categories, or selecting a location from your saved places or recent destinations.
  • Follow the voice prompts and the highlighted route on the map screen to navigate to your destination. You can also use the map tools to zoom in or out, view the traffic conditions, access the trip information, and more.
  • Enjoy your drive with the Garmin Drive 53.

• Q: How do I update the maps and software on my Garmin Drive 53?

• A: Updating the maps and software on your Garmin Drive 53 is simple and free. You just need to follow these steps:

  • Download and install the Garmin Express software on your computer from the Garmin website.
  • Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
  • Open the Garmin Express software and register your device if you have not done so before.
  • Select your device and click on the Updates tab.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to install the available map and software updates for your device.
  • Disconnect your device from your computer and restart it to apply the updates.

• Q: How do I use the traffic feature on my Garmin Drive 53?

• A: The traffic feature on your Garmin Drive 53 is convenient and helpful. You just need to follow these steps:

• Make sure you have the Garmin Drive 53 & Traffic model that comes with the vehicle power cable with a traffic antenna.
• Connect your device to the vehicle power cable and plug it into a power outlet in your vehicle.
• Turn on your device and enter your destination as usual.
• The traffic icon in the upper-right corner of the map screen will indicate the 

• traffic status on your route. Green means no delays, yellow means moderate delays, and red means severe delays.

  • If there are any traffic issues on your route, your device will alert you with a sound and a message on the screen. You can tap the traffic icon to view more details about the traffic situation, such as the cause, the length, and the delay time of the traffic issue.
  • If there is an alternative route available that can save you time, your device will also alert you with a sound and a message on the screen. You can tap the message to view the alternative route and compare the travel time and distance with your current route. You can then choose to accept or decline the alternative route.
  • You can also use the traffic map tool to view the traffic conditions on the entire map or in a specific area. You can zoom in or out, pan, and scroll the map to see the traffic colors and icons. You can also tap on any traffic icon to view more information about the traffic issue.

• Q: How do I pair my smartphone with my Garmin Drive 53?

• A: Pairing your smartphone with your Garmin Drive 53 allows you to access more features and services, such as hands-free calling, smart notifications, live traffic, live parking, weather, and more. You just need to follow these steps:

  • Download and install the Garmin Smartphone Link app on your compatible smartphone from the app store.
  • Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone and your Garmin Drive 53.
  • Open the Garmin Smartphone Link app on your smartphone and follow the instructions to pair your smartphone with your Garmin Drive 53.
  • Once paired, you can use the app to access various features and services on your Garmin Drive 53. You can also use the app to manage your Garmin account, devices, and subscriptions.

• Q: How do I reset my Garmin Drive 53 to factory settings?

• A: Resetting your Garmin Drive 53 to factory settings will erase all your personal data, settings, and preferences, and restore the device to its original state. You should only do this if you want to sell, give away, or dispose of your device, or if you are experiencing serious problems with your device that cannot be solved by other methods. To reset your Garmin Drive 53 to factory settings, you just need to follow these steps:

  • Turn off your device and disconnect it from any power source.
  • Press and hold the lower-right corner of the touchscreen for about 15 seconds.
  • Turn on your device while still holding the lower-right corner of the touchscreen.
  • Release the touchscreen when the Garmin logo appears.
  • A message will ask you if you want to erase all user data. Tap Yes to confirm.
  • Wait for the device to reset and restart.

• Q: How do I contact Garmin customer support?

• A: If you have any questions, issues, or feedback about your Garmin Drive 53 or any other Garmin product, you can contact Garmin customer support through various channels, such as phone, email, chat, or social media. You can find the contact details and hours of operation for your region on the Garmin website. You can also visit the Garmin support center on the website to access helpful resources, such as manuals, videos, FAQs, forums, and more.

• Q: How much does the Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator cost and where can I buy it?

• A: The Garmin Drive 53 with Traffic GPS Navigator is an affordable and high-quality GPS navigator that offers great value for money. The suggested retail price for the Garmin Drive 53 & Traffic model is $169.99, and the suggested retail price for the Garmin Drive 53 model without the traffic option is $149.99. You can buy the Garmin Drive 53 from various online and offline retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and more. You can also buy the Garmin Drive 53 directly from the Garmin website.