What mapping software do you use?

[bigjnsa]

I'm having the darndest time working with Google maps to plan my trip in June. I have the basic outline done, but when I'm trying to add more routes, I can't seem to figure out HOW to add them. I know I can draw a line along a road, but when I click to end the section, the mouse is still active. Also, the mileage doesn't add up when you manually do this. Also, I've noticed on some occasions when you click Done and Save, and you come back days later you can't edit what you previously entered. Argh!!

Oh and another thing, once you click Done and Save, you can't go back and ADD more direction routes.

I guess I can start over and add each route by hand as a direction, but that's a really ****.

[WoodButcher]

Since I have a Garmin gps, I tend to use their Mapsource product to create routes (and sometimes the Mac version, but it creates some odd routes sometimes).

I'll use Google just to get an aerial view of a planned route, but don't use it for planning. Unless I'm going to share with some other folks, like for a Pie Run.

[bigjnsa]

That's what I'm beginning to learn, Google Maps isn't good for trip planning but just an overview. I really wanted to know just exactly how FAR my trip was going to be. On the short purchase list is a GPS so I guess I'll do the route planning with its software.

[connick]

I use Google Maps exclusivly to plan my trips, and I think it works fine. It's main limitation is that it can't handle really long routes, so if you're doing multi-day stuff, better to break it down into chunks.

Open up a word doc or other text editor to serve as your trip planner. Map out your first leg of the trip, then go to the upper RH corner of the map, where it says 'link.' Click on 'link,' then right-click and copy the first link in that little window that pops up (the one that says "paste link in email or IM"). Come back to your text editor and paste that link there, with a description of what it is. Repeat for the subsequent legs of your trip. Example:

Day 1 - Fort Worth to Leakey
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=I-35W+S&daddr=32.224419,-97.90741+to:Farm+to+Market+Rd+2005+to:Medina+Hwy%2 FTX-16+S+to:US-83+N&hl=en&geocode=FShg8wEdSgEz-g%3B%3BFSBg4gEdHtMj-g%3BFRKmyAEdtMgV-g%3BFTRQxQEd9rsN-g&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1,2,3&sll=32.175612,-97.68219&sspn=1.559866,2.238464&ie=UTF8&ll=31.409912,-98.613281&spn=6.289267,8.953857&z=7

Day 2 - Leakey to Big Bend
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=US-83+N&daddr=TX-55+N+to:29.625996,-101.112671+to:US-385+N&geocode=FTRQxQEd9rsN-g%3BFaZJyAEdLgcI-g%3B%3BFY48wAEd7PTZ-Q&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=9&via=1,2&sll=29.940655,-100.59082&sspn=1.596947,2.238464&ie=UTF8&ll=30.121373,-101.68396&spn=3.187834,4.476929&z=8

etc...

If you want to change part of your route, click on the link in your text editor to open up that leg in google maps. Re-drag the route to change it however you like, then re-copy and paste the new link back over the old one. To figure out how long the trip in total is, yeah, you'd have to open up each link and add up the distances, but how hard is that? (unless you're planning a multi-week trip...)

[bigjnsa]

I'm planning a 3-4 week trip for most of June. I'll have to try that day to day method. Once I got the majority of the trip planned and mapped, I'm going back to add rest breaks. If I do it your way with day by day, it'd much easier and I could probably print out the days map on one page.

[DFW_Warrior]

Microsoft Streets and Trips is awesome! I have a Garmin GPS as well, but S&T is hands down a better product than Mapsource. What I usually do is plan my trip on Streets and Trips, then go into Mapsource to enter in the routes I've planned out.

I've tried Map Point, and it's essentially Streets and Trips with a huge extra section for business users to upload data into certain fields of the maps. But it wasn't worth the $300'ish for it. You can usually find Streets and Trips for around $20 at various stores like Target and the like.

[JustJ]

I use Streets and Trips as well. And you can go directly from S&T to the Garmin, without going through Mapsource first. Mapsource just ****** me off; I hate the UI and it's clunky at best.
Also with S&T, you can name the waypoints on the map. The way I do routes, I make sure that I put a way point at the corner of every turn that I plan to make along the route. It pretty much forces the mapping software to make the route that I want. In S&T, you see all the points on the left - and you can rename them to something more meaningful that "Near Burton". I'll use the name of the road for the next turn, which makes for a nice readout.
Now, if you are really, really brave - or XML saavy - you can pop open the .GPX file and get even more creative.

[bushwhacker]

I have MapSource with MetroGuide USA and I have Streets and Trips.

I plan all my routes on MapSource.

I also put a waypoint at every turn and rename them in MapSource. I name them with which way to turn, the road I am turning on and the distance to the next turn ie "L-335--17.3 Miles" which = Turn left on 335 and go 17.3 miles to the next turn.

MapSource will also list your waypoints in a pane to the left of the Map but they are listed in alphabetical order.

I find MapSource easier to work with than MSS&T. I think I have more control over the route in MapSource.

[DallasDon]

I've used Streets & Trips for years and find it by far the easiest, most accurate overall of the mapping systems out there. I buy the new one each year but they probably don't update it but every 2 years. Just my insecurity I guess.

[gixxerjasen]

I've been a long time user of streets and trips. I am still using an older version and probably need to update it now. However, I've just started delving into the world of GPS and have been playing with mapsource. I need to play more. Heck, I need to do more trips. :mrgreen:

[scottie]

I use TYRE http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php. It uses google maps to create routes and then send them to my Tomtom One V2 GPS. You do need to be careful when setting waypoints as sometimes the GPS and TYRE disagree with Shortest vs Fastest routes. Also be careful when you place the waypoint as if you put it on the wrongs side of a divided road the GPS will send you round and round until you hit the waypoint (don't ask how I know :))

[driscollms]

I find MapSource easier to work with than MSS&T. I think I have more control over the route in MapSource.


I agree.

[lonestarrider]

Mapsource and 2010 MS S&T. Google Earth is also good.