Travel Advice - Alternatives to Maps: Mapping and routing software for the PC

Many people have a hard time using maps to navigate between places. Common map use problems range from finding locations (the one you are at or the one you want to find) to determining a valid route between two or more places. In this article, we will focus on mapping and routing software for the PC that attempts to solve navigation and location problems. Note that online routing and Personal Navigation Devices have decreased many traveler's interest in the PC-Mapping market - for good reason.

PC routing software offers benefits that are similar to those provided by online mapping and routing services. Conversely, PC software provides greater flexibility than its online cousin.

• The customizability of PC software allows the user to create routes reflecting personal choices.
• In addition, PC software usually provides enhanced trip planning capabilities  not offered by many online services (for example, stopovers, driving time limits, and searchable event lists).

Like all routing systems, PC trip routing functionality requires a starting and ending addresses to initiate the process.

• PC software allows using Points of Interest (POI) (e.g. Grand Canyon, Hearst Castle, etc.) as route origins and destinations.
• Although some online sites provide POI capabilities, most PC software provides more points of interest and more categories of attractions.

Most PC routing software allows you to choose to have the program calculate the “fastest” or “shortest” route.

• In addition, PC programs provide for a large number of “VIAs” in case you want to create a multi-stop route (e.g. from Los Angeles to Denver via Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe and Gunnison).
• Many PC routing programs provide an “optimization” function that allows you to enter multiple destinations (known in the routing trade as “the Traveling Salesman problem”).
  • The software arranges these locations along a minimum mileage route that connects all of the locations in a loop that returns you to your home at the end of the journey.

PC routing software is customizable, allowing the user to elect to have routes avoid specific highways, country roads, toll roads or  conditions considered driving hazards.

• If there is a stretch of road that you feel is dangerous or simply do not like to drive, you can “mark” to road segment and it will not be considered for inclusion in any of the routes that the software calculates.

One of the most important benefits provided by PC routing software is a customization feature that allows you to create a driving schedule based on how many hours a day you would like to drive (or the distance you would like to cover) and your average driving speed. In addition, the software, at your request, will adjust each day’s destination, to the nearest town featuring food and lodging.

Next, PC software provides the capability to search for attractions along the route. In effect, the software creates a distance buffer surrounding the route. It recommends places to stop based on a preference profile containing types of attractions of interest to you.

Market leading PC routing software excels at assisting trip planning.

• Many products contain Trip Organizer software that can be used to capture all reservation details, attraction information, and routing information broken down into categories or daily itineraries.
• There is almost a limitless ability to customize the trip routing software to create an itinerary that reflects your travel choices.

Most PC routing and trip planning software includes an expense report functionality that provides a way to estimate the cost of your trip including mileage costs.

Many of the PC packages are designed to be used on a portable PC that is equipped with a GPS receiver.

• Input from the GPS receiver allows the program to track and display your position on a map and to tell you when you have left the calculated route.
  •  Although most of us do not carry laptop computers on vacation, the GPS functionality is appreciated by those who do (mainly RV owners).

Best US based mapping and routing software

1. Microsoft - Trip and Streets

2. DeLorme – Street Atlas USA

The products range from $30 to $50 but can be purchased at a steep discount at various times of the year. All products are GPS compatible. Some versions of the products include a bare-bones GPS receiver with the software and the package usually costs approximately $100.00.

Best  mapping and routing software for Europe

AND Publishers – AND Reisplanner Europa Premium Edition 2006

Europe is far ahead of the U.S. in 3G phones and most software for navigation has now been ported to Phone, PDA's and Personal Navigation Devices (PND's).  As a consequence, the market for PC based routing (especially products available in English) has declined.

Now, a word of caution about relying only routing information generated by PC software.

If you decide to use PC based routes and maps to prepare for your trip, be sure to take a good old printed road map or atlas with you for backup. We recommend this action for several reasons.

• First, you may find the roads on your printed route closed due to an emergency, requiring you to take an alternative route.
• Next, the software route may not be correct. Alternatively, the route may be correct, but you want to take a side trip to an area that is not shown on your printout.
• Carrying a good quality printed map makes sense for a many reasons.
• Take our advice and make sure that you have one for backup.
• Losing your way will ruin the fun of a vacation.
  • The price a good quality road map pales in comparison to the “cost” of being lost.

If you have difficulty navigating to different places while on the road, we present three additional articles on alternatives to maps. One article describes navigation systems provided by rental car companies navigation ( In-car navigation systems ). A second article is used to describe Web sites that provide online mapping and routing services ( online mapping and routing ). Our final article explains the use of hand-held computers and cells phones to provide mapping and routing ( mapping and routing with handheld devices ) and why these devices may not yet be ready for prime time.

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