I use Google maps in exactly the same way and have the same complaint about street names not being visible. Sometimes I'll drop in to street view at an important intersection to see what landmarks pop out, like a certain gas station or business on the corner where I need to turn.
It's so funny when I'm with someone and navigating, they see me using Google maps and then are bewildered when I don't turn on the turn by turn yet still get where we're going. They almost can't believe it's possible.
my peeve is that if you bring up the terrain map, you see topo lines, but they disappear the moment you get close enough to actually read the elevation of the lines.
This has literally been a bug in google maps for going on 10 years and I'm amazed nothing has been done about it. Terrain could be SO MUCH more useful!
It's so funny when I'm with someone and navigating, they see me using Google maps and then are bewildered when I don't turn on the turn by turn yet still get where we're going. They almost can't believe it's possible.