I also have a Garmin that I use on trips. Think it is a #2598.
But this comment of yours brings up a question.........."
If you want something that size, the Garmin units (and TomTom, etc.) display your location and the direction you're headed "
If I am just turning on "map", it does indeed show the surrounding area where you are and the (direction you are headed). BUT, If I enter an address and town that I want to go to and start on the designated route, there is (no longer) any (direction you are headed) as part of the screen display.

Recently, I realized that I had never updated the maps in that Garmin and could not find the power cord that hooks the unit up to my PC.
Called Garmin Support and the gal mailed me a new cord for free! I brought up the "direction headed" concern while speaking with her, she thought that the unit should be able to display direction even with an address entered.......and said she would forward info on that with a return email. That never happened although I did get the new cord and have made updates to latest available.
Any ideas/thoughts on getting (direction headed) as part of a planned route???