Route planning/mapping software

[Fer]

Anyone out there use any route planning software, such as autoroute? I have taken a part time job delivering cars, and as part of this I have to get around the UK, based on post codes generally. Not every car has sat nav, so I am looking for something to assist me, hopefully somehow downloading the localised maps to my palmtop.

Now nice GPS software is out of the question, due to costs and the inability of mounting things in the cars I deliver, so I was looking at buying Autoroute 2003. I have an older copy, but it lacks certain details, and does not allow me to route via postcodes (am presently having to use streetmap to look them up, and then plan later.

Does anyone have any experience with any alternatives to Autoroute, or some comments on it. Any help welcome.

Thanks,
Chris (aka Lost in Luton )

[tuffer]

Just use www.multimap.com or the AA web site. Enter your start point, destination and any way points and it will print you out a route........and like all good stuff, its free!

[Fer]

Thanks Tuffer, I had looked at these in the past, but the problem is most of the time it is more complex, with multi-drop/collection, having someone pick you up, so you can collect your next car, before following them to their next drop off/collection, and therefore I need to be able to enter several way points, rather than just a straight forward to/from.

[bob the planner]

Chris,

I use Autoroute to plan most of my journeys. I find its pretty good, although I get a bit peed off with third exit 32 yds etc. You can schedule in stops, start/stop times and even covers the near continent. See the TVRCC Dorset Diary for examples of output.

Bob

[sjg]

Autoroute these days is excellent - proper street-level mapping and postcodes for everything.

It also includes something called "pocket streets" which seems to let you dump the route and all the bits of map along the way onto a Pocket PC device. No idea how well, as I don't have a PDA.

Have also seen GPS sleeves for some PDAs which let you do routes and see where you are.

www.gpsw.co.uk are a good place for the software, along with GPS sensors and the standalone units.

[wedg1e]

Somewhat off-topic, and I have no better suggestions than Autoroute, but I heard on the underground grapevine that Microshaft are intending to amalgamate the mapping from Autoroute with Flight Simulator, so that when you fly low enough, you can see the actual road layout, not the arbitrary thing you get now!

OK, only of interest to one or two odd-bods like me, but what the hell...

Ian

[Thom]

www.viamichelin.com is excellent.

[robp]

Fer -

I also use autoroute and find it bloody usefull. As mentioned above its a bit Americanised (ramps not slip roads etc) but very very detailed.
It does everything you could ever want it to do, such as calculating mpg, average speed etc.

By the way, can I ask you how you got your job?! Delivering cars would be a dream job for me this summer? I have never seen any such jobs advertised (and I do look!)

[bob the planner]

wedg1e said: Somewhat off-topic, and I have no better suggestions than Autoroute, but I heard on the underground grapevine that Microshaft are intending to amalgamate the mapping from Autoroute with Flight Simulator, so that when you fly low enough, you can see the actual road layout, not the arbitrary thing you get now!

OK, only of interest to one or two odd-bods like me, but what the hell...

Ian

Will it stop the Americans shooting at our soldiers as well ?

bob

[chris.mapey]

I use multimap lite (follow the link from their site) on my iPAQ via a standard mobile phone dial up.

Works for me.

[simond001]

I use Navman on my Ipaq, absolutely superb (and will hopefully get updated mapping to keep me out the congestion zone).

Mounts via rubber thing onto windscreen, so can move from car to car.

[Fer]

Thanks again folks.

Thom, useful site, had not found that one before, will be useful for my routes.

Robp, the job is based in South Bucks, and the pay is almost at minimum wage. It is not particularly inspiring, but it is better than signing on, and the chance to play with fully loaded toys is always worth it. I just hope one day I get scheduled in the SL500 or something else interesting! If you would like more details email me.

Looks like Autoroute is my best option then. Thanks again to the joint PH knowledge pool!

[Chrisgr31]

The RAC has a route planner on its site, and you can go "via" a number of locations. I often use it to calculate the mileage when I get back, because I have forgotten to note the mileage!

[mattl]

Try info map from www.directions.ltd.uk, I have been using it for years and its very good even down to street level A-Z style, also its GPS compatible so I can use it with my Road Angel. There is also a very useful business locator and millions of other things like route planner, hotels, petrol stations etc etc.

[plotloss]

www.map24.co.uk

Worth a look even if you dont need directions, its a seriously well coded bit of kit...

Matt.

[s2ooz]

I have just upgraded to autoroute 2003. it does what you wanted, Plus (I havent tried it yet) the over complicated directions, have been simplified.
HTH

[mybrainhurts]

Loads of PDA info on

www.pocketgps.co.uk/

[levensnevel]

As far as a I am concerned it's a french website which suits my needs, when it comes to route planning and - mapping, the best:
www.maporama.com/share/

levensnevel

a smile every mile