Long Trip Planners - Help PLEASE!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,692
Likes: 7,256
From: Syracuse,NY
Seems to me on Mapquest or Yahoo maps you can put in the route and then under options check avoid highways and also avoid tolls. Then, as mentioned use the cursor to drag the route more to your liking. Just remember, if you clicked avoid highways it won't let you drag the route onto one.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
Jeez, when I plan a trip, the only plan I make is the place that I want to get to. Start out on a route that will take you in the general direction and don't be affraid to change it on the fly. Plan only your first nights lodging cause you will undoubtedly stay at one place or another a little too long and really have to push to get to your next destination, and that might not be something that you want to do. Take the road less traveled and certainly stop and talk to the locals. They can give you tips and routes that just plain aren't on any map. As said previously, plan on about 300 miles per day, Take a lot of breaks and potty stops, this will help you avoid fatigue. above all else remember this one thing, you are only one wrong turn away from your next greatest adventure.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, WA
I've used a couple in the past. This one lets you plug in a lot of detail and gives you a day by day itinerary. https://www.myscenicdrives.com/road-trip-planner
The harley one isn't too bad either. http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...rsion=desktop&
Search around. You'll find one that works for you.
The harley one isn't too bad either. http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...rsion=desktop&
Search around. You'll find one that works for you.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 342
Likes: 44
From: Granville, IL
I use a multitude of options when planning a long trip. I have been stranded or stuck in a dump of a motel too many times so my days are planned and I have reservations for every night that I will be on the road.
At 300 miles per day that leaves plenty of time for sight seeing and messing around and still getting to the reserved motel room.
I start with Mapsource, pick my beginning and ending locations then let it pick the route. Then I get out the old paper atlas and look for the roads marked scenic and work those roads into my plan.
Then I break the plan down into 300 mile days and look for motels and check revues and availability.
The above is what I do with the wife traveling along. IF it is just me and some guys we will play it by ear and hope for the best and if we get stuck with a flea bag motel we do not worry about it too much. The wife on the other hand would make my next day miserable!!
We tend to pick an area, ride hard (interstate) to get that area and spend a week there riding around. Then hit the superhighway and head for home.
This summer we rented a house in Murphy NC. left Friday night after work and arrived in Murphy Saturday afternoon. 800 miles. Great riding in the southern smokies. The following Saturday morning we headed home utilizing 2 and 4 lane roads.
Good luck and I too wish I could take a 6 week trip!!
At 300 miles per day that leaves plenty of time for sight seeing and messing around and still getting to the reserved motel room.
I start with Mapsource, pick my beginning and ending locations then let it pick the route. Then I get out the old paper atlas and look for the roads marked scenic and work those roads into my plan.
Then I break the plan down into 300 mile days and look for motels and check revues and availability.
The above is what I do with the wife traveling along. IF it is just me and some guys we will play it by ear and hope for the best and if we get stuck with a flea bag motel we do not worry about it too much. The wife on the other hand would make my next day miserable!!
We tend to pick an area, ride hard (interstate) to get that area and spend a week there riding around. Then hit the superhighway and head for home.
This summer we rented a house in Murphy NC. left Friday night after work and arrived in Murphy Saturday afternoon. 800 miles. Great riding in the southern smokies. The following Saturday morning we headed home utilizing 2 and 4 lane roads.
Good luck and I too wish I could take a 6 week trip!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 33
From: Lewisberry PA
Unlike some here, I like my trips planned in advance. I don't like surprises on the road. Here's how I do it...
Let's say I want to ride from Phoenix to a place that's 2000 miles away. I know that I like to ride about 500 miles a day. So instead of looking at it as a 2000 mile ride, I think of it as 4 rides of 500 miles each. I start by finding a destination for day 1 that is about 500 miles from Phoenix. Then I research motel availability. I like Best Western motels, so I will look for a BW in that area. For this exercise, let's say that's Roswell, NM. I reserve a room online, then move on. For day 2, I start looking for a town that's about 500 miles from Roswell in the same direction I am heading. And so on, and so on.
I make a spreadsheet for each trip and each worksheet page contains the information for one day of travel. I roughly plan out fuel and meal stops as well.
Let's say I want to ride from Phoenix to a place that's 2000 miles away. I know that I like to ride about 500 miles a day. So instead of looking at it as a 2000 mile ride, I think of it as 4 rides of 500 miles each. I start by finding a destination for day 1 that is about 500 miles from Phoenix. Then I research motel availability. I like Best Western motels, so I will look for a BW in that area. For this exercise, let's say that's Roswell, NM. I reserve a room online, then move on. For day 2, I start looking for a town that's about 500 miles from Roswell in the same direction I am heading. And so on, and so on.
I make a spreadsheet for each trip and each worksheet page contains the information for one day of travel. I roughly plan out fuel and meal stops as well.
+1 this is what I do as well. I treat it as a plan, and If we want to change, that is fine.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Unlike some here, I like my trips planned in advance. I don't like surprises on the road. Here's how I do it...
Let's say I want to ride from Phoenix to a place that's 2000 miles away. I know that I like to ride about 500 miles a day. So instead of looking at it as a 2000 mile ride, I think of it as 4 rides of 500 miles each. I start by finding a destination for day 1 that is about 500 miles from Phoenix. Then I research motel availability. I like Best Western motels, so I will look for a BW in that area. For this exercise, let's say that's Roswell, NM. I reserve a room online, then move on. For day 2, I start looking for a town that's about 500 miles from Roswell in the same direction I am heading. And so on, and so on.
I make a spreadsheet for each trip and each worksheet page contains the information for one day of travel. I roughly plan out fuel and meal stops as well.
Let's say I want to ride from Phoenix to a place that's 2000 miles away. I know that I like to ride about 500 miles a day. So instead of looking at it as a 2000 mile ride, I think of it as 4 rides of 500 miles each. I start by finding a destination for day 1 that is about 500 miles from Phoenix. Then I research motel availability. I like Best Western motels, so I will look for a BW in that area. For this exercise, let's say that's Roswell, NM. I reserve a room online, then move on. For day 2, I start looking for a town that's about 500 miles from Roswell in the same direction I am heading. And so on, and so on.
I make a spreadsheet for each trip and each worksheet page contains the information for one day of travel. I roughly plan out fuel and meal stops as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,521
Likes: 57,074
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
While trip is definitely part of the enjoyment be sure to allow ample time to spend in the Smokies and surrounding areas ... I have traveled extensively in and around there and it is great riding to be sure. You'll get more suggestion as to how to go and what to see but if you've never been in the area make time to do relaxed short rides and enjoy the scenery while noting places that you'd like to back and explore further. You might start out with the Skyline Drive then proceed to the BRP ( Blue Ridge Parkway, they're connected at Waynesboro ) The Skyline Drive is about 125 miles and the BRP is about 465 miles. Posted speeds will mean you'll need at least two days to make the ride. The BRP ends in Cherokee NC. The area around the southern end is FANTASTIC riding. Be sure to stop at the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum in Maggie Valley and be ready to spend several hours. Maps of the area can be gotten at America Rides Maps and one that is great for the area is
http://shop.americaridesmaps.com/12-...ides-NC007.htm
As far as your ride to the area keep in mind that you'll ( most of us ) probably average 55 mph while out on the road once you factor in food fuel and breaks so figure out how many hours a day you'll ride and go from there. I ready to go right now just thinking about it. Have a great ride and be safe.
http://shop.americaridesmaps.com/12-...ides-NC007.htm
As far as your ride to the area keep in mind that you'll ( most of us ) probably average 55 mph while out on the road once you factor in food fuel and breaks so figure out how many hours a day you'll ride and go from there. I ready to go right now just thinking about it. Have a great ride and be safe.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: a small country between TX and AZ
In my mind for this coming late Spring vacation is an eight day sweep to the north and east and south trip from Albuquerque that will never take me more than 500 miles from home. Northern New Mexico, Southern Colorado and Utah, Northern, Central and Southern Arizona. This trip can include Durango, the Million Dollar Highway, Pikes Peak, the Grand Canyon and much more. Need to start working on the wife and planning!
Lots to see and enjoy. Can keep it to a week off from work and the obligatory day of rest before going back to work that the wife requires.
Lots to see and enjoy. Can keep it to a week off from work and the obligatory day of rest before going back to work that the wife requires.