How to get from here to there

[cmarkj]

Pardon my ignorance, but browsing thru the forums, I'm not sure that I have found the answer to my question.
Is there a program, app, website that can tell you the best route from here to there based on pulling a camper?
I do believe there is info out there ie: % grade, elevation etc for someone to be able to plan a route themselves (if you understand such things) but I was looking for some thing that would plan everything out for me knowing I have this appendage hanging behind me. A quick example, using google maps or mapquest, I ask to go from my house to Johnson, Vt. It sends me through Canada (ok, I get it) but it has me entering the States after driving through Montreal. Not real sure I want to do that.

Thanks

[nevadanick]

Can't get there from here

[john_bet]

I use a good ole Atlas I buy at Wal-Mart. Big map of the US shows all interstate,US highways and State roads. Has gotten me to where I needed and wanted to go since '65.

[Busskipper]

cmarkj wrote:
Well, thanks for the replays. So far I have relied on google maps and google earth and now, after the replays, I guess I will stick with those.
Thanks

Bing maps is another option, we have found between Goggle and Bing we can get to just about everything.

Love the Birds eye view to check out places we are stopping in.

BOL,

[Grey_Mountain]

I have been using Trailer LIfe Directory for years. Put in where you are and where you want to do, put in preferences (i.e., no ferries, whatever) and punch the button. It will calculate your route, providing elevation along the route. If you don't like the route, (you don't want to drop down into the US) then pick a midway point enter that into the calculation. Plug in a street address and it will take you to the front door. Also shows food,lodging, fuel along the way. Comes on discs, so load your computer and hit the road.

GM

[cmarkj]

Well, thanks for the replays. So far I have relied on google maps and google earth and now, after the replays, I guess I will stick with those.
Thanks

[paulj]

Another vote for Google Maps.

Looking at the Il to Vt route on GM. It gives 3 'top' choices, based on 'fastest'.

1 - does go through Canada. But looking at the Montreal segment up close (including Streetview) I see that it takes an expressway beltway that stays well outside the city proper. I'd expect heavier traffic as it skirts Chicago and Toronto.

2 - this alternative stays in the US, but skirts Cleveland and Buffalo, and uses tollways across Indiana and Ohio.

3 - crosses PA, and drives up the Hudson valley.

Specifying that you have trailer or monster RV isn't going to changes those choices. They stay on expressways where possible. Apart from traffic around cities, tolls, and bumpy pavement, those are going to be the fastest and easiest roads to drive in an RV.

I could suggest some alternatives:

I88 is the closest freeway to Fulton, and I294 is the shortest way from there to I80. But it gets well into Chicago traffic. So crossing over on I39 would avoid that traffic.

As discussed in many threads, it's next to impossible to avoid the traffic on I80/94 across the bottom side of Chicago.

If time wasn't important, and scenery valuable, I might drive into Wisconsin, and take US2 across the UP, and then take a northern Ontario route over to Ottawa.

I86 is an alternative to I90 or I80 across NY or PA. That has more curves and hills than I90.

And closer to VT, there's the question of when to leave I87. If you get of the freeway too soon, you might have lots of driving on narrower roads, with the possibility of low bridges, and short grades.

[stickdog]

Google maps are alright, I use them all the time for our travels but you can alter them to suit your preferences. Run your google map again and pull the route down to Albany NY. You'll get new routing that will keep you in the USA.

If you have any questions about a particular part of the routing post another question here and someone familiar with that road will reply.

[KarenS144]

I don't know of any one program.

I use MS Streets & Trips but it's not going to be updated & supported any longer (sad about that!). I also use Google road & satellite maps and >>GASP<< a paper atlas!

I think there are programs designed for truckers that some RVer use so maybe they can chime in too.

Other publications that I find useful are Next Exit, Trailer Life Directory & Mountain Directory West AND an Atlas. I would never want to depend on a nav system or mapping program without a paper map backup.