Planning the big loop - e2w&back
OK, after two years of getting her to go for longer and longer trips, I'm ready to head west from the east coast. Looks like the general route is I81 to I40 to AZ, then north and back. Don't have ro...
Forum Discussion
I use Microsoft Streets and Trips to plan my route, then use several other sources such as RVParkReviews.com to find campgrounds in the area where MS&T suggest I stop for the evening.
I then update my route with the campground stops in MS&T.
Of course Microsoft has decided to not provide further updates for this product, so it will become out of date over time. But for this type of planning, it will continue to function as long as they don't rip up any of the major highways in the meanwhile. I don't rely on it for detailed directions, instead I use my GPS with up-to-date maps.
Edit to add: MS&T allows you to set various parameters that affect the time estimates such as your speed relative to the speed limit on different types of roads, the frequency/duration of rest stops and start/stop times for your daily drive. All of these combine to allow MS&T to determine where you should stop for the night. I find that most of the time I can drive further than it estimates, but I would rather have an extra hour or so in a campground than to be trying to setup or find an out of the way campground in the dark.
I then update my route with the campground stops in MS&T.
Of course Microsoft has decided to not provide further updates for this product, so it will become out of date over time. But for this type of planning, it will continue to function as long as they don't rip up any of the major highways in the meanwhile. I don't rely on it for detailed directions, instead I use my GPS with up-to-date maps.
Edit to add: MS&T allows you to set various parameters that affect the time estimates such as your speed relative to the speed limit on different types of roads, the frequency/duration of rest stops and start/stop times for your daily drive. All of these combine to allow MS&T to determine where you should stop for the night. I find that most of the time I can drive further than it estimates, but I would rather have an extra hour or so in a campground than to be trying to setup or find an out of the way campground in the dark.
