Thank you for the reply edward.

However, google maps does not function like this. If I have google maps running and giving directions, and turn the display off and then later turn the display on, phone is NOT locked. If i want to check my other app or something, the lock screen pops up.

This is the functionality waze use to provide with android lolipop.

The biggest battery drain is the phones display. There is no need to have the waze display on when on long drives.

When you "touch my power button" you are manually locking your phone. You hear the padlock click shut, and the screen goes blank.

I too do this all the time to conserve power. But of course when you press your home key, or power button again to bring the display (the map) back, the phone will be locked, since you manually locked it.

All you have to do is make a quick swipe anywhere on the screen to unlock the phone and bring the map back. And my finger is right there, since I just pressed a button.

If you disable "prevent auto lock" the map will disappear after your preset time, on its own, as per usual. The ONLY reason your map never disappears is that you have selected "prevent auto lock".

Anytime you manually lock your phone, unlocking will be required, and the last app in use will be displayed.