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Travel Planner
There are many map apps that calculate time/distance between two points.
Is there an app where you can input a route, and the number of miles or hours you want to drive each day and it calculates the waypoints for overnighting?
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12 Replies
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I use google and when the trip involves more than a day I doodle around about the distance I want to travel that day and set a destination (waypoint) on my route and then do a search for what I want for an overnight spot.
I have learned how to play with it, adding and deleting destinations and waypoints and zoom in when I want to see detail.
But I am sure someone will tell you haw to get Siri to just guide you as you drive so you don’t have to mess with any kind of trip planning. Just tell her where your destination is, let her tell you when to turn and when you get tired ask her to find a spot to park for the night.
It is my understanding there is an app now that connects Siri to the bus cruise control and adaptive braking, plus the lane change feature and she will actually drive the bus for you if you want to get up to make coffee or just go read a magazine.
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I’ve used https://www.rvtripwizard.com for several years. Has plenty of options, so it takes a little effort to learn to utilize it effectively. $400 per year subscription I think.
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Hi Liam, I’ve used Trip Wizard and I’m sure it’s had some updates since I’ve used it. Two things I didn’t like is it didn’t follow the route I was taking. I know it’s not a GPS but it’s GPS-ish. And I found it to be kludgy, everytime I thought I had it figured out, I didn’t.
Harry
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Thanks- I actually don’t want a GPS per-se. I want a mapquest type thing where I can ask “show me 300 miles south of point-A along I-95. Or route me from Washington DC to Phoenix in 300 mile increments.
Right now I do a mapquest end-to-end and then trial and error add waypoints guessing distance visually.
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I use Delorme Street Atlas. It’s a stand alone program on a disc. You can pick your route with vias and stops. All sort of ways to play with your trip. You can zoom in and out and print a hard copy which I like.
I’m not really computer literate and it works for me.
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Hello again Liam, I use an App called CoPiolet for RV. You can put in the size etc of your bus and it will keep you off the roads you shouldn’t travel. It also has off line maps (No satellites needed) that I enjoy, and will do most things you’ve mentioned. They also have one for truckers and should do everything you mentioned. It has a learning curve that most of them do but it’s not too steep. Here’s the website.
I know you said you’re not really looking for a GPS but I believe it will do much if not all of what you’re asking. I know some of the other guys use this App and will possibly jump in. Hope it helps.
PS: Liam, When you go to the website make sure you look at “RV” and “Trucker”. They have a general GPS but will note be at all what you’re looking for.
Harry
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We use the Mapquest (search along route) feature which works pretty good for us to determine our stops. Start with the full trip route and search along route for our stops. You mentioned Mapquest but didnt sound like you’ve utilized that feature.
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Good Sam has a travel planner. It may show what you are looking for, but I am not sure whether it is on-line and real time, or just a point in time. I do know you can set your destination and a range within the travel route for specific types of stops, I.e fuel, historical markers, rest areas.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
I use CoPilot with a Garmin blue tooth GPS antenna (when needed). After paying the annual fee maps can be updated daily if you want. As noted in the earlier post, make sure you get the truck/RV settings.
CoPilot works through the cellular system for location positioning. When out of cell coverage I connect to the Garmin blue tooth antenna. Very happy with the service after a yearlong usage.
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I have used Microsoft streets and trips for years – desktop or laptop based but have recently switched to an Ipad based FREE program called RVParky. It locates rest stops, campgrounds etc depending on the filter you set, calculates distances between stops , draws your route on the map, zoom in for details, ask how many nights you are planning to stay. calculates fuel cost based on your inputs. Really neat for the price. I find it really handy when planning a trip so that you dont have too many or too few miles between stops. You can call up websites for the various campgrounds right from the program and add it to the trip with one click.
go to the app store and read all about it.
I am about to pull the trigger on a new Garmin 785 GPS any body got any pros or cons on this unit. I have had two Rand McNally and have both died after the warranty period.
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Micki,
I have had the 770 LMT for over 4 years, have been very satisfied and still going strong. Let us know how you like the 785 for the built in dash cam.
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Thanks for all the input – going to take some time to play with your suggestions! I use a 770 when I am underway – really just to be warned about routes with restrictions and to be able to specify my top speed so as to get better time estimates.
my only complaint about the 770 is a far less powerful search than Apple or google maps. For example, if you want it to display upcoming Pilot/FJ centers, it won’t find some. It can’t handle that some are Pilots, some Flying J, and some include Travel Center in the name.
Recent example – “Bear Creek Campground, Bristol CT” didn’t return anything.
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