How to Create Road Routes on a Map
Plan your route in advance of your road trip to ensure a stress-free journey. Plotting your excursion on a map will only take ten to twenty minutes and will probably save you time in the long run. You can decide on the most appropriate and efficient route for the type of journey you are undertaking and choose where you will stop for toilet breaks and fuel. You can also check with traffic information services about any current roadworks or delays, giving you the chance to opt for a different route before you set off. Planning a trip well will also enable you to more accurately estimate the time it will take you.
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Instructions
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Access free online map-creating websites such as Google Maps or MapQuest. The left-hand quarter of the screen is where you enter your details and make selections, while the rest of the screen shows the map, which changes according to your choices.
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Click on the option to "Get Directions." This will bring up two boxes, "A" and "B," in which you can put your starting place, "A," and your destination, "B." If you click on the option to add more stopping points, or destinations, you will be given more boxes to fill out. The boxes are filled from top to bottom with the corresponding journey points, from start to finish. The boxes in the middle are for places where you think you will want to stop for fuel, toilet breaks, meals or accommodation, depending on the length of the expedition. Some software may even show you where fuel and accommodation is available along your route.
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Add additional refinements to your plan by clicking on the link for "Further Options." Depending on the mapping software you are using you will be able to make choices about taking main roads or scenic routes and it may tell you things to avoid, like toll roads, perhaps. An optimum route for you, based on your selections, will be shown, or you may be given a couple of routes to choose from which fit your requirements. An estimated journey time will calculated for you and, if you want a shorter drive, try inputting different variables such as allowing the use of main roads rather than country lanes, for instance.
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Print your map which will highlight the route you have opted for. Route descriptions will also be generated, which a passenger can read out for you. Google Maps and MapQuest have several selection boxes at the top of their maps including one for up-to-date traffic reports which, if available, can show the latest traffic conditions on your map up to within five minutes. Have a look at this before you embark on your road trip.
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Tips & Warnings
There are also free downloadable map-making programs available like SmartDraw's Easy Map Software, which may be handy if you will be creating a lot of map routes. If you don't want to use a computer, photocopy the appropriate page, or pages, from an atlas and draw the route on it using a highlighter pen.
Don't read maps or directions while you are driving. Pull over, or ask a passenger to navigate for you using your printed directions.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Doigts sur une carte routière image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com
