Three basic things you should never do after becoming lost while driving:
Never drive down a road that is not paved.
Never enter dead ends.
Never drive through water on the road.
Even if the GPS tells you to. Nothing good is down that road. Best case scenario, some kind of nature reserve. Worst case, private property enforced with dogs and guns. Not even if it is a shortcut. Stay on the pavement.
One would think this would be obvious. Any sign that says Dead End or No Outlet is to be avoided. It doesn't go anywhere.
Use extreme caution going through still puddles on the sides of the road; drive around them if at all possible. If the whole width of the road has water on it? Go somewhere else. You do not know what is under that water. Puddles can hide huge potholes or hazards. Moving water can take a whole road with it and hide the washout. Approach bridges with caution, especially if it is raining or recently was raining. If the water is splashing onto or over the bridge, do not cross the bridge. Bridges almost always have a sign announcing them; but it may or may not have extra words. Bridge Ices Before Road, simply bridge, or ]:[ which means "narrow bridge" (pause, and watch for oncoming traffic - this is a one-lane all-way stop).
Three basic signs that are very helpful if lost while driving:
Pumpkintown 8 miles
Hospital
JCT 85
Anything with a name and a mile marker is good. Preferrably a small number of miles. Double digits aren't great, but can't be avoided all the time. Follow it into town.
Hospitals are great! They always have signs pointing to them. They're also usually near some description of civilization.
Any number will do, so long as it's on a state or interstate highway logo. JCT means junction, and that means to follow the arrow to find the highway with the matching number. There will be more signs just like it to help you along.