Is GoogleMaps the best to use? Directions when driving in Italy

It worked fine when I was in Sicily.

Google Maps is totally fine for driving instructions in Italy. I always use Apple Maps when I'm driving because I find the map easier to follow than Google, but that's totally your preference.

We have used Waze and GoogleMaps -- often at the same time. Kinda like the guy who wears a belt and suspenders. My wife has one of the nav apps running and I have the other.

The phones are plugged into the car so we're not running batteries. Also we have T-Mobile as our carrier, and they are, near as I can tell, the most liberal carrier regarding data, etc. We've never ever had a problem with data charges. Also, we have Android phones.

As to why the two apps at the same time?? We find that, only very seldom, one stops working. It generally happens when we often take the non-toll roads (and have that choice on the phones). But we've been in the outreaches of Scotland, roaming the Italian countryside, or driving down a rocky road in a French vineyard -- and we've never gotten lost.

I've also noticed on the last couple of trips, the cars come with nav. We don't ask for it. And that's pretty nifty, too.

I was in Abruzzo last month exploring properties in and around small towns. I used WAZE because I feel that it has better directions than Google maps and the speed and police warnings were pretty accurate.

Or as I mentioned once, if you're going far afield and might lose cell service you could buy or rent a GPS if it would make you comfortable

Download the Google Map of the region you're travelling in for offline use onto your smartphone which always has a GPS connection. You will then get directions automatically w/o cell service which happens from time to time - you just won't get real time traffic info.
To download, get the Google map onscreen and click your Google login icon (your photo often) a menu that includes 'Offline Maps' will appear.

Google Maps gives good directions and that is what I use in the US as well. In Italy I use Waze for the areas that I’m not familiar with because Waze is better at warning you about speed cameras and police checks. Italians (including and especially Taxi drivers) swear by Waze, for the same reasons.