Best RV route map

[Sunnysidebeach]

I use Google maps in my work daily. However, I'm about to retire, and we're headed out for a few months of RV travel out west. I noted from YouTube videos some of the roads, do not allow RV's, or they have narrow and or low tunnels. Google does not take those issues into consideration.

I tried, the route planer in Good Sams and it too made the same errors. Example route between Twin Lakes CO. to Aspen CO. The twisting road between the two is restricted to vehicles less than 25 feet in length. Every map program, including Good Same route planner takes the direct route, where RV are prohibited.

Any map trip program you recommend?

[CFerguson]

PenMan wrote:
I have the Garmin RV760LMT with up to date maps. All I have to do is turn it on and it will get me lost. I never really trust it now. I use a trucker's atlas to plan my route and use the GPS to look ahead for diesel, food, etc. My phone has a better map program. The last time I was on I40 going through Oklahoma City it kept telling me I had to exit as there was a low clearance ahead (I'm under 12 feet high). I noticed the 18 wheelers were not exiting so I decided to take a chance but the Garmin kept telling me to exit. It even got to a point where it had a screen pop up that made me hit a button to confirm that I was ignoring the Garmin directions. Made it all the way to New Mexico and never saw a low bridge. It has done similar mis-directions many times but this was the craziest. I still use it when on the interstates to look for services at upcoming exits. My guess is if you program it to go to Alaska you'll probably find yourself heading south into Florida as it takes you around the world to Alaska. When I want to get lost I program the Garmin to head to Dallas, Texas so I can find all the dirt roads on the way. I never trust it any more but use the trucker's atlas and it has never been wrong. The Garmin was wrong many, many times. Can you tell I really don’t trust the Garmin?

I'm amazed that you still have it. I would have given it to someone I didn't like long ago.

[PenMan]

I have the Garmin RV760LMT with up to date maps. All I have to do is turn it on and it will get me lost. I never really trust it now. I use a trucker's atlas to plan my route and use the GPS to look ahead for diesel, food, etc. My phone has a better map program. The last time I was on I40 going through Oklahoma City it kept telling me I had to exit as there was a low clearance ahead (I'm under 12 feet high). I noticed the 18 wheelers were not exiting so I decided to take a chance but the Garmin kept telling me to exit. It even got to a point where it had a screen pop up that made me hit a button to confirm that I was ignoring the Garmin directions. Made it all the way to New Mexico and never saw a low bridge. It has done similar mis-directions many times but this was the craziest. I still use it when on the interstates to look for services at upcoming exits. My guess is if you program it to go to Alaska you'll probably find yourself heading south into Florida as it takes you around the world to Alaska. When I want to get lost I program the Garmin to head to Dallas, Texas so I can find all the dirt roads on the way. I never trust it any more but use the trucker's atlas and it has never been wrong. The Garmin was wrong many, many times. Can you tell I really don’t trust the Garmin?

[Sunnysidebeach]

So what your saying is, there is no online mapping system for RV's, that takes into consideration height, and non- RV safe roads?

The Mountain book, to review recommended Google routs, then make adjustments, with way points, seems the best solution.

This leaves me disappointed in Good Sams and Coast 2 Coast routing, as they are suppose to be for RV travelers.

[catkins]

I use Google Maps and then check the proposed routes using Trucker Path app or our Truckers Road Atlas. If road is good for big trucks, good for me. We always travel using our onboard guidance in the RV but sometimes have to say nope and reroute via a safer route as we have pre-checked our route. The onboard guidance eventually figures the change out. LOL No one method or program is foolproof. Safe travels!

[DrewE]

mkc wrote:

and it apparently doesn't factor in that RVs are not permitted on any parkway in NYS...

The Lake Ontario State Parkway is an exception to that otherwise iron-clad rule. RVs and non-commercial trailers are permitted on it (provided, of course, they are not too tall). One big reason for that is the road was constructed, maybe among other reasons, to provide better access to a couple of state parks offering camping and boat launch facilities.

The LOSP is also in rough shape, with poor pavement conditions. I'm not particularly recommending it.

[mkc]

RV Trip Wizard uses Google Maps for routing. It does NOT route you around inappropriate roads, clearances, weight limits, etc. It *might* show a warning on the map, but it does not provide a safe alternative route.

and it apparently doesn't factor in that RVs are not permitted on any parkway in NYS...

[jplante4]

djsamuel wrote:

Crabbypatty wrote:
Does RV Trip Wizard provide low clearance information? iI did not see that stated clearly in their docs.

It does flag low clearance areas on the map. To be honest, I'm not sure if it will route you around it or not.

As stated, it does not. This is the route RV Trip Wizard suggested to get to Hamlin Beach SP in upstate NY. The lake parkway is all 10-1/2 foot bridges. I put in my height as 11 feet.

[Matt_Colie]

Crabbypatty wrote:
Does RV Trip Wizard provide low clearance information? iI did not see that stated clearly in their docs.

djsamuel wrote:
It does flag low clearance areas on the map. To be honest, I'm not sure if it will route you around it or not.

If this is a concern, you can get an overlay for either S&T or SA from the Discovery Owners site and load it....
Answered....
The ease of loading overlays was one of the big values of the old stuff.

Matt

[djsamuel]

Crabbypatty wrote:
Does RV Trip Wizard provide low clearance information? iI did not see that stated clearly in their docs.

It does flag low clearance areas on the map. To be honest, I'm not sure if it will route you around it or not.

[djsamuel]

RobWNY wrote:

djsamuel wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
RV Trip Wizard is the best in my opinion. I haven't figured out how to send the completed trip to my Garmin but the workaround for me is after I'm sure of all my planned stops for fuel and camgrounds, I recreate it manually on the Garmin. I do this in Google Maps as well and then send it to my phone so I have a backup just in case. RV Trip Wizard is worth the annual subscription price without a doubt.

You can export the trip from RVTripWizard as a .GPS file and import it into basecamp. There is more info here:

Export Instructions

djsamual, I've tried that several times. I can export it to basecamp ok but it doesn't upload to my Garmin for some reason. Obviously I'm not doing something right. I don't mind doing it manually. I have all the time in the world.

Glad you don't mind doing it manually. I've done it, but to be honest, I am surprised to see it work. basecamp is not very intuitive and I'm never sure if I can duplicate something I did correctly. :B

[Veebyes]

Still beating our 2013 MS S&T's here. There is simply nothing to replace it. Everything is internet based & assumes connection. That is not the way some of us travel. We also have a Garmen 770RV but even that can lead you astray. Nothing beats a stand alone program.

[Matt_Colie]

I am still looking for planning software that:
*Is not dependent on internet so it can be used to modify the route when underway. (Yes, we co-drive.)
*Can be adjusted for the speeds we actually drive.
*Can suggest where to start looking for fuel and can be adjusted underway if we stop earlier.
*Can suggest where to start looking for an overnight place. (Not just crampgrounds and hotels.)

We do have an exterior antenna and a repeater, so if there is cell coverage at all we have it. This still leaves us with Zero Bars a lot of the time when we are off interstate. This is the way we like to travel.
I tried the RV Trip Planner demo, but it did not even begin to entice me to subscribe for a year.
The Furkot program/website, is better at much of this, but is still web dependent and while versatile, it does have a very steep learning curve that I have not yet fully climbed.
I am trying to learn Co-Pilot RV, but have not had a lot of success.
Google Maps on a smartphone or a tablet does not even get close and if you forget (again) to pre-load data.....
Garmin Basecamp comes very close to useless on all accounts, but it is good for putting waypoints into the driver's GPS.
We are still beating a copy of SA2015, but at 5 years out of date, the usefulness is getting very limited.

Is there any hope out there? If I could figure out how to update the charts in SA, that would be it.

Matt

[jplante4]

Crabbypatty wrote:
Does RV Trip Wizard provide low clearance information? iI did not see that stated clearly in their docs.

You put in the height and fuel parameters in the settings, although I haven't used Trip Wizard specifically for avoiding low bridges because I rely on Copilot RV. I just checked last summer's trip and there was one route with low underpasses that Trip Wizard did route us through. TomTom also routed us there but Copilot RV kept us safe.

[Sunnysidebeach]

Thom02099 wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
My Google Map says to go east from Twin Lakes to the 24 then north to I-70 then west the 82 then south to Aspen. It did not try to route me the short way.

Probably because CO 82 between Aspen and Twin Lakes is closed for the season and won't reopen until early June.

For the OP, the Mountain West Directory would be a good investment. It lists the restrictions on this, and similar roads in the mountain West.

That online book looks like it would be the ticket. Use Google maps but use the way points to go around roads marked with the "Mountain West Directory"... Many thanks