Mapquest/googlemaps, etc..

[Bobbie Mayer]

When I'm mapping a route it would be nice to have it estimate the time it will take me pulling a trailer, not driving auto speed limits. Does anyone know if any of the map sites let you adjust the maximum travel speed?

Bobbie

[Roy in TO]

I am not sure, but Micro$oft "Streets and Trips" does.

If you keep your eye open for an earlier version you can get a copy pretty cheap. I picked up a 2007 version with the Pharos Sirf III USB GPS receiver to turn my laptop into a 14" screen GPS unit. All for only $20 CDN.

[Monica M]

A friend told me before I left to calculate 50mph, this should take care of fuel stops, potty & food stops. It has worked out to almost exactly 50mph on each trip I have taken so far. Today I drove 253 miles, took me almost exactly five hours. Really convenient the way the math works out. Hope this helps.

[Carol Ann in TO]

If you are a AAA (or in Canada CAA) member, the trip tik software allows you to do this. You can tell it your typical speed and how often you want to take a break.

As an added bonus, it also tells you where there is contruction planned and usually can provide an alternate route to avoid it.

All this is in the planning stage -- on the computer before you leave.

[CD Smith]

I use MS Streets and Trips to map every trip before leaving home.

You can't set a speed like 50 MPH, but you can set driving speeds at "Slower, Average, and Faster" for 5 different roadway types.

I set the driving speed for all roadway types at the next to lowest 'tick'.

I also set a 15 minute rest stop ever 2 hours, 30 minutes for fuels stops, and a 1 hour stop for lunch (this includes 30 minute nap).

You are correct when you say "average driving speed is '50 MPH'. That's what I get when driving at the speed limit, but not exceeding 60 MPH.

[Gina D.]

thats how I do it...

50 is a very accurate # for those that don't tow above 60 mph.

I add in the PFD factor (Piddle, Fiddle and Diddle) and it pretty much works out to 50 avg. every trip.

You have 4 dogs.. your PFD may be higher!

[Bobbie Mayer]

Nope, mine don't eat on trip days and they get very few PFD stops. But 50 is probably a good average. I just hoped someone had set up their tripquest thingy to do that online (not that I can't divide!) There are some differences depending on whether the section is through mountains or not.

[ronsmith100]

If you are a AAA (or in Canada CAA) member, the trip tik software allows you to do this. You can tell it your typical speed and how often you want to take a break.

As an added bonus, it also tells you where there is contruction planned and usually can provide an alternate route to avoid it.

All this is in the planning stage -- on the computer before you leave.

Question: Is my AAA card good in Canada? CAA? Towing, tire change, etc?

[Gina D.]

mine don't eat on trip days

ever tried to NOT feed a Beagle? They would be breaking out from thier "Jails" and hijacking the car.. taking it to the nearest McDonalds..

[Bobbie Mayer]

My first dog, I took out to pee every time I stopped. Since then I've learned that they don't drink coffee, they don't need to stay awake, and they don't need to pee every time I do. We go a lot faster! I do stop at an occasional dog park- from Fresno to Redding will be our first leg, then a dog park, then probably the rest of the way to Oregon for overnight.

I think I'm going to motel it on the road so that I don't have to unpack the trailer for a short overnight.

[Raya]

I add in the PFD factor (Piddle, Fiddle and Diddle) and it pretty much works out to 50 avg. every trip.

That's a good one

[Carol Ann in TO]

Question: Is my AAA card good in Canada? CAA? Towing, tire change, etc?

CAA works in the US and AAA in Canada.