How to Plan a Route
When you're traveling a far distance or planning a trip that requires many different stops, it's best to plot out a route before you go. Otherwise, you could end up driving in circles or taking the long way to all of your destinations. The most common ways to plan a route nowadays is either with Mapquest, or another online mapping device, or a navigational device (GPS unit). Both of these tools are easy to use and effective---they allow you to plan a route that will get you there in the most efficient manner possible.
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Instructions
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Using a GPS Unit
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Enter your starting location into the GPS unit. Some GPS devices will give you the option to just automatically locate you.
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Add your first destination. Enter as much information as possible, including street address, city, state and/or zip code.
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Once the GPS unit calculates the route for your first destination, add your next destination by selecting "Add Destination" or similar. Enter in the complete address of each new destination that you need to add to your route. Some navigational units give you the option to find additional stops along your route when you select "Search> Along My Route."
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Wait for the GPS unit tocalculate your entire route plan and coordinate your trip in the most efficient way possible. For example, you will not be taken to to the farthest location on your route and then directed to go back to a destination that was closer to your original location.
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Click "Route Summary" or the similar option on your GPS unit to see the trip at a glance.
Using MapQuest
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Visit MapQuest.com and click the tab for "Directions."
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Enter in complete information about your starting location. Then enter in the ending location, which should be the very last place where you want to stop up at the end of your route. Click "Get Directions." You will be taken to the shortest route between those two initial locations (initially labeled "A" and "B").
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Select the button for "Add Another Location." This will allow you add a stop in between points A and B. Type in complete address information for the new stop and then choose "Add Location." The additional stop will be calculated inside of the route and relabeled "B" while the final stop on your route will move to "C."
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Repeat this for each new location that you need to add to your planned route. When done, scroll to the bottom of your planned Mapquest route to see the total distance you will travel in mileage and the total time it will take you to travel the route.
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Tips & Warnings
Use Mapquest's convenient "Fuel Cost" estimator to get an idea of what you can expect as far as gas cost on your trip.
