Which online map do you use for route planning?

I always use google maps when looking for something, just used to it.  Looking around at other sites trying to find one that will avoid interstates.  Rand Mcnally has the option to avoid highways, which would be great if I had all the time in the world.  Also trying to find a way to route this all out (rough estimates, its all subject to change should I see something interesting along the way) by changing the parameters for parts of it.  Currently looking at cruising from Green Bay, WI out through the Dakotas and beyond.  Obviously I've seen alot of WI so I'd just take the fastest route through there, boring as it may be, but after that I'd like to avoid interstates for sure, probably also 4 lane 65mph state highways as well.  I have a Garmin GPS and Mapsource, I haven't played around with using a premade route, the little I have it doesn't really work well in the real world :(  Also, has the option on my GPS to avoid highways but that keeps you off of state highways as well :(

Suggestions??

Thanks,

Zach571

There is another one I like to use, wikimapia.com.  It's easy to use.  Another is Bing 3-D.  That is pretty cool because you can lean the view angle over and get a good idea of topography.

Google Maps.  I just put in the start and destination then use their little white circles to drag the route where I want it to go between those two points.   The best part is that I can shove the route into the google maps on my phone for when I'm on the ride and it will update where I am and where I still need to go.

I downloaded TYRE years ago.  Trace Your Route Everywhere.
Made by a guy in the UK who got sick and tired trying to deal with route planning issues with TomTom & Garmin.  It uses Google maps to confirm routes, you pick start / finish / waypoints and export right to GPS.
You still need to specify your route, but there are warnings for gravel roads and I think there is an "avoid interstates" option button.

It's a freeware & I've donated to it as it's a great program.

I'll have to check out wikimapia?

Microsoft has a program called Streets and Maps or something like that.  I use it a lot.  In fact more than anything else.  I never wanted a gps on my bike.  I'm never really lost, just don't know where I am that any road won't eventually take me back to where I was...... :biggrin:

I will second the Tyre - Trace Your Route Everywhere comments. Downloaded it a year or so ago and have used it quite a bit. I still use google maps on occation for a quick look up but Tyre is my go to trip planning utility.

I use Google Maps to plan my own custom routes that I import to my Zumo. I've heard of TYRE before, it's supposed to be pretty good. One of these days when I have time, I should check it out, too.

Since I'm Finn and kind of related to Nokia, I use Nokia Ovi Maps which can be directly synchronize with the maps in my Nokia E7. So planning route on web, adding waypoints and from the mobile just synchronize a there you have everything there with you.

Downloaded TYRE and put it to the test today.  As far as laying out a route it is much easier than Mapsource.  TYRE won't recognize my GPS, says no Garmin product is attached, not much help in TYRE's help or online so IDK whats up with that.  I was able to open the route file TYRE created with Mapsource and get it to my GPS that way.  Problem is that all it only really transfers over the tracks of the route (which was too many track points, so only like the first half actually came up on the GPS) and as for the routing itself it only saves the waypoints you created, not the path in which Google maps loaded it between those waypoints.  Of course that means that when my GPS recalculates it has different perameters yet so when you want to hit a specific road it can be difficult to get it to do so.  Still better than Mapsource but needs work yet.  

Another question, how does one find out if a road is paved or unpaved??  I took a ride up to Da UP today, 540 miles, just got back.  Originally I had some sweet (from the looks of them on the map anyways) roads but when I brought the route into mapsource it kept coming up with stupid loopty loop routes on and off of these roads.  Under routing options I have "avoid unpaved roads" checked, I unchecked that and then it routed down the road.  After my ride today it looks like about half the county roads up there are paved and the other half are not, so its hard to really plan out a route :mad:    Around here I'll take a county highway over a state highway anyday and that is how most of my travels on the bike are done, totally different setup in Da UP.  Lots to see up there though!!

Zach571

As an IronButt rider, I use Microsoft Streets and Trips the most, but Delormes Street Atlas is also very good. The later versions of both products will allow you to export routes directly into a Garmin device via USB. Streets and Trips is easier to use, Street Atlas is more powerful but takes a bit more learning the software. Neither program is very expensive, and both can be purchased and downloaded.
Both will show the different types of road surfaces, as well as many other POI's with addresses and phone numbers.

Garry

Has anyone used Honda Powersports new Trip Planner?  Made a quick look and it appears to be pretty functional, but I would be interested in hearing opinions from experienced trip planners and routemeisters.

Received an update from TYRE last week.  Similar to how many start-ups go (VFRD included) they have now grown to over 500,000 users and are taking it to the next level.
The offer was a solicitation to pre-purchase or 'invest' to be one of the first to receive the Gold Membership of the new TYRE.
There are plenty of new tools that sound like they'll be very useful.  Very strong customer service & support and ongoing development, which they now have 2-3 peeps working.
I understand that it works more for TomTom & Nuvi where Garmin is left out.

Seeing as I would have sent a donation anyway, I am now an investor in TYRE and will be one of the first to receive the Gold Membership when it comes out later this month.
I sent them an email with a couple questions - get this: I received a full length, personal reply from the developer!  Very good service & communication!!

Anyone who has used it in the past, knows how great this program has been for trip planning.  I can only imagine how much better it will become.
Check it out for yourself at www.tyre.tk

AAA has a pretty decent route planner called TripTik.  Very similar to google maps.  If you so chose, it will show you gas stations, restaraunts, camp grounds, hotels, etc.  It has pre-planned routes and you can see others favorited route.   Not sure if you can download your plan to your gps though.