Streets and Maps Software

[S-n-L]

Hello Everyone,

My husband and I are hitting the road as full-timers this spring and I am considering purchasing the Streets and Maps software to help create our travel itinerary.

If anyone has experience using this I would appreciate your opinion regarding its usefulness, ease of use and any other information you can supply such as where you purchased it.

Thanks in advance.

Leslie

[Jack_Diane_Free]

You can put it on as many computers as you want if you purchase the Disc version not download. Just don't register it. There is no reason to as there are no updates. S&T issues a new disc or download each year that you have to pay for. I am still using S&T 2006 and have installed it on numerous computers over the years.

[S-n-L]

Thank you soo much for all of your input. Yes I did mean Streets and Trips (not maps).

Does anyone know if you purchase this how many computers can you load it on? For example, the computer I own now will not be the one I will be using in a few months from now. Would I be able to download it again to my new computer, to my husband's compter, etc?

Thanks again, I am excited that I can download the trial version before actually purchasing it.

Happy travels,

Leslie

[stetwood]

I have used Streets and Trips for nearly 10 years, 3 version changes. We pick out the beginning and final destination, and fill the rest in. We can set the amount of time at a POI, speeds, avoid areas, start & finish times. Once the plan is set, I break the trip down into one or two day segments and transfer them to the Garmin as a data file. Be aware that unless there are some "anchors" in the Streets & Trips specified route, the Garmin may take you "Their Way", especially around the "avoid areas". I then copy the route, put it into a spreadsheet, set up a start date, then by using date formulas, calculate the day we will be at a place. If we need to be home or at some place a certain day, we can change the start date and rearrange the entire trip. Finally, we print out overview Streets and Trips maps and the spreadsheet. These go into a three ring binder with other information about the trip, insurance, coupons that is kept in the cab. Be aware that Streets & Trips will not keep you out of trouble, low bridges etc, that is up to you to watch for those signs.

[dbates]

I’ve used S&T since it first came out for RV trips and my Lion’s Citrus & Rose delivery route planning. There are no maps, GPS or software that is 100% correct but S&T is so much easier to make route corrections than a GPS is and it’s loaded with POI, campground info, etc. Then just this year I learned how to easily transfer S&T routes to my Garmin GPS exactly as planed with S&T.

I usually upgrade S&T about every 2 years so that recently created addresses and map corrections are included. The only reason I use the Garmin GPS while traveling is that my copilot does not like computers, GPS or any such electronic equipment and there is no visibly good place to set my laptop in the MH for me to use it.

Dave

[Triker33]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
No internet access is required to use S&T so don't let posts asking about this confuse you.

It does come in handy with internet to update the road construction info in S&T.

I use it but don't like the small roads it uses. I run it on a 15" laptop and on a iPad beside the drivers window I run Co-Pilot live GPS that I use a lot more. CP does have height restrictions on it.

[wa8yxm]

I use both S&T on the laptop and Google Maps on the smart phone.

I preview the route days (At least) in advance and decide on any tweaks often using paper maps as my secondary.. Then I Save the trip and call it up with it's time to hit the road.

For the car the smaller phone works well Just took a 245 mile trip (Each way) on roads I'd mostly never seen before and it was fantastic. In the motor home the larger screen on the netbook is a major plus and a half. So I use it.

[Bucky_Badger]

Streets and trips

I don't think there is a streets and maps

[riven1950]

ok, I am a bit confused but want to check this software out. Is it street and trips everyone loves or street and maps? Thks

[DOTLDaddy]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
No internet access is required to use S&T....

That is the #1 reason I love S&T. Sure, I use various other online maps and my Tomtom gps, but my foundation for planning routes is S&T.

[NHIrish]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
No internet access is required to use S&T so don't let posts asking about this confuse you.

Absolutely correct. It is a very good planning tool. Use this, google trips and rvparkreviews.com for planning, and a gps for early warning on exits and you are all set.

GPS only isn't capable of easily allowing you to look closely at your route during planning...lots of places you don't want to be with an rv!

Best of luck!

[Bill_Satellite]

No internet access is required to use S&T so don't let posts asking about this confuse you.

[RCWannabe]

You can download a 14 day trial of Streets and Trips from Microsoft for free if you want to play with it and see if you like it.

[amandasgramma]

I use S&T and won't go ANYWHERE unfamiliar without it. I use it home when not traveling, too!
DH uses DeLorme's topographical software......we have concerns about pulling over mountain passes (we need a bigger pickup).... 🙂 That one tells you elevations and grades......

[Matt_Colie]

Leslie,

There are really two things to consider. You are obviously internet capable, but how are you going to carry wire with you? And, What will work when you don't have it?

To this end, Yes, get one of the navigators and get it with a GPS. Strips and Treets is easier to use, and you will need to upgrade someday, so save that for Street Alas. You will outgrow S&T at some point unless Macrosquash does a lot more with it than they have done in the past. Just be ready. Both those navigators will work without wire, which brings up another thing. You need to be able to run whatever on the MH/TV power. That way you can run the navigator underway and that is essential. Which ever package you use, you will have to go to the Discovery Owners site and collect the overlay data that interests you.

If you are not planning to carry wire (old term for have internet access), at least get a high power Wifi set. I have used the the Alfa AWUS036(xxx)<= xxx current model for years, and if there is an open access anyplace close, you can work it. There are others - too.

There are lots of ways to carry wire by cell phone, but only the smart phones or special adapters will do this. They aren't cheap to run, but bags cheaper than satellite. They also don't have the coverage of satellite. If you plan to be in campgrounds most of the time, WiFi will probably work for you.

If you have the navigator with overlays and wire, you can plan overnight stops be they campground or other, collect fuel prices, read CG reviews and make reservations if needed. It will make the entire exercise much less stressful.

If you have new questions, come on back here. (Hint, you will.)

Matt

[muelldawg]

Fizz it right one.

Streets and Maps is a great software and very easy to use. And the more you use it the more you learn.