Best route planning tools?
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Best route planning tools?
I'm going to be doing a solo ride in late April from southern Virginia up to Vermont/New Hampshire. My goal is eliminate/minimize any use of the interstate system, both there and back. I'll also be camping most nights with a motel/hotel thrown in a couple of times, either as a luxury or through necessity.
I've Google mapped a tentative route up there but it's been fairly laborious. I'll be going up through WV, PA, and NY and then cutting east through the Adirondacks before going through VT and NH; mainly on US and state routes. I haven't figured out the return leg yet. Before I spend more time banging around on Google maps, is there a better tool to use?
I've Google mapped a tentative route up there but it's been fairly laborious. I'll be going up through WV, PA, and NY and then cutting east through the Adirondacks before going through VT and NH; mainly on US and state routes. I haven't figured out the return leg yet. Before I spend more time banging around on Google maps, is there a better tool to use?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Can't beat good old fashioned Maps.
I particularly like the Atlases from DeLorme because they have all the back roads. Unfortunately for multi-state trips each state is a different book.
I particularly like the Atlases from DeLorme because they have all the back roads. Unfortunately for multi-state trips each state is a different book.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Sounds like a great ride. I think there is a route planner on HD's site, but I pretty much use google maps.
BTW, Bring plenty of warm clothes. Still gets cold up north in April.
BTW, Bring plenty of warm clothes. Still gets cold up north in April.
I'm going to be doing a solo ride in late April from southern Virginia up to Vermont/New Hampshire. My goal is eliminate/minimize any use of the interstate system, both there and back. I'll also be camping most nights with a motel/hotel thrown in a couple of times, either as a luxury or through necessity.
I've Google mapped a tentative route up there but it's been fairly laborious. I'll be going up through WV, PA, and NY and then cutting east through the Adirondacks before going through VT and NH; mainly on US and state routes. I haven't figured out the return leg yet. Before I spend more time banging around on Google maps, is there a better tool to use?
I've Google mapped a tentative route up there but it's been fairly laborious. I'll be going up through WV, PA, and NY and then cutting east through the Adirondacks before going through VT and NH; mainly on US and state routes. I haven't figured out the return leg yet. Before I spend more time banging around on Google maps, is there a better tool to use?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,886
Likes: 3
Microsoft's 'Streets and Trips' isn't bad...helps find motels, gas stations, bars, etc. Work out the trip, print it out, and take a few maps. My main goal is to find the secondary roads, and to stay off the interstates, if possible.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
Download Google Earth, much similar to Google Maps, but you can type in start point and destination, set layers for gas, food, malls, etc. I like it much better than Maps. You can zoom in and actually see all the roads, not just the main roads, cows in the fields and whatever. When you have finished setting your course, just print it out. It will also list the intersections to turn at and distances between turns.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Here's a couple of sites that may help you decide which roads to use:
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/
http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/
http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
I find faults with each tool I use. One's good for this, but not that, One's fast and easy, the other is slow and hard to use, etc....
I end up useing 3 tools. MS Streets and trips, Google Maps, and the HD planner in combination with each other. And I extract/import routes and POIs from/to each other as much as possible. End up with 3 maps of a trip. But each is good for something.
I end up useing 3 tools. MS Streets and trips, Google Maps, and the HD planner in combination with each other. And I extract/import routes and POIs from/to each other as much as possible. End up with 3 maps of a trip. But each is good for something.