[SoothingDave]

Any time you can see the sun, you can figure out where North is. Also the big dipper.

I think you have to observe the sun moving, don't you?

In any event, the compass positions don't always correspond to the road direction in more than a general way in my area, so even this is not a lot of help. And if you have a lot of cloudy days, this doesn't help.

SD

[DugwayDuke]

"I think you have to observe the sun moving, don't you?"

Not really. As long as you know the general time and can remember that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, you can figure out about where North is.

"In any event, the compass positions don't always correspond to the road direction in more than a general way in my area, so even this is not a lot of help."

The directions don't have to be that specific. You don't have to give directions like turn SSE, turn South is usually good enough.

"And if you have a lot of cloudy days, this doesn't help."

Unless it's pretty heavy overcast you can figure out where the sun is.