Route Planners

[EcclesCake]

Which of the various route planners is the best in terms of accuracy and clarity of directions?

[grasscarp]

I like transportdirect.info

[murraymints]

AA...

[Prudie]

I like autoroute

[murraymints]

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/classic/planner_main.jsp

[Buenchico]

I always use the AA route planner for UK routes. I find it much, much better than Google's attempt at the job.

For anywhere else (although it's pretty good at UK routes as well) it has to be ViaMichelin:
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

[EcclesCake]

I tend to go with the AA, haven't used autoroute for ages might have to give it a whirl again. I'm not at all familiar with transport direct, will check it out.

Sorry, Methyl, I find Google Maps one of the worst!

[EDDIE51]

I always use the AA one, never had a problem.

[Prudie]

What with this and sat navs does anyone buy road maps anymore? In fact does everyone have a dogeared AA Road map 1998 stuffed in the rear seat pockets like me?

[EcclesCake]

My road atlas is a 1993 vintage. Good for getting me from town to town but not much use for 'the last mile', hence using route planner thingies.

I'm much more of a mapnav than a satnav kinda girl!

[Buenchico]

>>>does anyone buy road maps anymore?

Yes. I buy a new road atlas (typically at £1.99 from the big supermarkets, or places like 'The Works') each year for the car (and then put the old one onto my bookshelf at home).

My work takes me all over the country. (For example, I've had to find survey sites in Bedford and two locations in Chelmsford this week. Previously this year I've worked in Folkestone, Hailsham, St Ives, Norwich, Kings Lynn, Whitstable and lots of other places). I find that simply using the AA route planner before I start out (just to see the detailed bit on local roads at the end of the route) and then having a road atlas suits me far better than having an annoying satnav in the car.

Further, I've answered loads of questions on AB by simply reaching for a road atlas. (e.g. "I'll be staying in xxxxx over the weekend. Can you suggest some places to visit in the area, please?"). Road atlases contain much more information than just roads!

[Electrochem]

The human brain and a good road map!