What tools do you use to plan routes?

[morkani]

I have been using google maps, but I'm already finding out that it has "less" than I want. 
I'd like to avoid those major roads like the ones going through atlanta, but google maps doesn't have an option  to filter stuff like that out (other city's as well, and i'm concerned about the ones i don't know about.

I'd like to avoid really steep grades, 
like to stay at about 60mph
no uturns

I think you might get the idea, google maps doesn't have a way to make a route for me where i can filter very specific stuff lilke that.

do ya'll use a different tool or are some gps's just ultra capabile, and if so, what gps do you use?

thanks

 

[B and C]

Google maps does have an option to not use highways, tolls and ferries. This will keep you on the blue line highways and off the interstates. You can drag the route to avoid what you want to avoid also or put in a waypoint to get around something.

I would like to find a tool for those steep grades though.

 

[bullfrog]

With the extreme heat in the southwest avoiding steep grades is probably a good choice!

 

[morkani]

Google maps does have an option to not use highways, tolls and ferries.  This will keep you on the blue line highways and off the interstates.  You can drag the route to avoid what you want to avoid also or put in a waypoint to get around something.

I would like to find a tool for those steep grades though.

i saw the not use highways option, but I wasn't sure if that was preferable or not. (ie low bridges ect.)

 

[skyl4rk]

I use Osmand android app. In order to get the type of road you are looking for, I would look at the recommended route, then manually change it by finding roads that do not connect larger cities or cross mountain ranges (if that is what you are looking for). On the preferred road, put a marker (flag) on the road. Then add the marker as an intermediate destination. Keep adding markers and intermediate destinations until you like the route.

I have not found an automated routing system that gives me the routes I want: scenic, not crowded, low speed limits. I alway do much better when I modify the route manually.

 

[B and C]

No idea on the low bridges as my van is only 9'6" tall. The only low bridges I am aware of are in the east which I avoid like the plague anyway.

 

[shadowmoss]

Freecampsites.net and/or Campedium.com have route finders based on where the free or low cost campsites are. They may give you ideas of other ways to go.

 

[highdesertranger]

I use paper maps for highway travel, Benchmark or Delorme. I use USGS maps for backcountry travel.

hahaha you need to pay attention to avoid low bridges. they are not all back east,

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/need...cle_d1719f86-6e5f-11ea-a6df-0fce5aecef9b.html

highdesertranger

 

[Truman]

Man. I went down that mountain around denver Colorado in my class B. I thought I was going to lose control most of the way. White knuckled it the whole way down.

 

[bullfrog]

Believe me going down is much better than going up in this warm weather.

 

[B and C]

Downshift, downshift, downshift. I have had mine in low gear going down some and still had to pump on the brakes (don't ride them).

 

[Sofisintown]

So far in long trips I googled the route and printed the map.
I do have a GPS device in the van, but I will get a road Atlas before I go.

 

[morkani]

I've been doing a little research on gps's today, what do ya'll think of the garmin 890 8" rv navigator?

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/705997

it seems to have quite a lot of features, I don't think it's got the grades either though. I don't understand why google doesn't attach a "height" detection sensor, and a couple sensors on the front and back of their sensor rack to measure the grade. seems too simple to skip?

 

[LoupGarou]

I use Garmin BaseCamp.

 

[barleyguy]

I've been doing a little research on gps's today, what do ya'll think of the garmin 890 8" rv navigator?

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/705997

it seems to have quite a lot of features, I don't think it's got the grades either though. I don't understand why google doesn't attach a "height" detection sensor, and a couple sensors on the front and  back of their sensor rack to measure the grade. seems too simple to skip?

Most of Garmin's data comes from satellite imagery (specifically DigitalGlobe), not from driving around in a car with sensors.

 

[B and C]

If your really concerned about grades and bridge heights, I found this trucker gps: https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-7-Inc...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DTNNAHN52XHYP3H5KEY2

 

[wayne49]

Google Maps' "Avoid Highways" option means no Interstates

 

[morkani]

Google Maps' "Avoid Highways" option means no Interstates

Yea, i tried that option last night & today. I got to see a lot of Indiana soybean & corn fields . 
Roads were mostly empty, worst part was that they were pretty skinny, some low tree's, and I think these types of roads are more likely to have low bridges but I didn't encounter any.
It WAS slow going (about 2 extra hours on a 3 hour trip, but what are we in a hurry for anyway?
Found a nice quiet campground with an owner who guided me through my first gray water dump & it was only $10/night with electric hookup so no highways can sometimes be a blessing.

 

[WanderingRose]

I have found very few low bridges around the country that wouldn’t accommodate my 9 1/2’ high rig.

Those that are low, or narrow, are almost always marked a good ways back, so you won’t find yourself in a tight spot with no way to turn around.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I use google earth. You can load in the locations you want to go to........and zoom in and see what is around their. If you see something that interests me, I can click on it and get information about it which includes address, phone, web site, and even pictures if anyone has taken and posted any. You can also get street view in most places to help you see the building you are looking for.