Good Sam Trip Planner

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

I actually used GS's trip planner a lot up until recently, liked being able to see the parks in proximity of my route...

but lately it's developed some bugs in the software and has become almost unusable....

Same here. Really hard to use it...keep clicking and nothing happens.

[BobGed]

Originally Posted by Cat320

Same here. Really hard to use it...keep clicking and nothing happens.

If you're using IE you might want to try another browser.

I've experienced problems using it with Internet Explorer, but it works fine using Chrome.

[Rotis]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Have you found it to be accurate on low clearances?

So far it has, we mostly travel the back roads and when I modify the route it's notified me several times. You do need to zoom in very closely to the warning icon because sometimes it's actually on a side road, not on the actual road you selected.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by BobGed

If you're using IE you might want to try another browser.

I've experienced problems using it with Internet Explorer, but it works fine using Chrome.

Thanks, I'll try a different one.

[bigben]

We've used GS for about 28000 miles now. Its a great tool but definitely not the only one. When we plan, we almost always start with GS but then add to the route after using other resources like AllStays or RVParkReviews. GS is very quick and easy, usually gives the routes we should stay away from and is flexible for options like copying to another route.

Often while traveling, I will use the entire trip and then delete the portions we've already traveled.

[Campbell5]

My family and I recently completed an aggressive 4,500-mile 2-week trip out west and back last month in our older gas Class A. I used GS to plan the trip then input it into Google for sharing and navigation.

For calculating realistic drive times, what worked best for me was adding 10 mins for every hour of driving Google maps said I had remaining. For example if Google Maps said, I had a 6 hr drive ahead of me. I simply planned for 7hr drive (6*10 = 60 extra minutes.)

Your results and other’s opinion may vary. Safe travels!

[MJoyce]

Agree with adding 10 min to the Google Maps estimated time with the caveat that if traveling with a dog (at least mine), add an additional 5 to 10 minutes for pit stops.

[JohnH12]

The GS Trip Planner and Google Maps would be much improved if they simply allowed you to plug in your personal driving style.
Years of OTR trucking show that 50 miles per hour is a pretty good average speed for interstate driving that includes time for breaks and fuel stops.
The RV Trip Planner seems to let you add that info. I don't know why the GS program doesn't.
We plan to travel from Florida to Arizona and back in February and Dallas TX and back for the granddaughter's graduation in June so I'm considering the RV Trip Planner for at least one year to see how it all works out.
We usually only stay about every 3rd night at an RV park. The other nights are rest areas, truck stops, or Walmarts.
I would really like to hear more from those who've had this program for awhile.

[WNJeffers]

I’m fairly new at this, but we’ve used GS Trip Planner and RV Trip Wizard.

The big advantage I see with GS Trip Planner is that you can limit it to showing/recommending campgrounds within 5 miles or 15 miles, etc., of your route on a long trip. (WV to FL in our case this year.) My biggest complaint is that GS appears to show NO campgrounds that offer Passport America discounts (50%), unless they also offer GS discounts (10%).

We have joined both, plus a couple of others, and would prefer the 50% discount, all else being equal. Big advantage to RV Trip Wizard as it will show virtually all campgrounds and denote Passport America, GS, FMCA, Federal (Senior Pass, another 50% discount), state parks (often a senior discount), etc.

RV Trip Wizard was a little difficult starting out, but I’m getting the hang of it now. Their user guide could be better. I think I will mostly be using it in the future, probably in conjunction with some other sources, until something better comes along.

Also, I have a Garmin RV760 and the GS Trip Planner will apparently only download trips to the GS RV navigator from CW. RV Trip Wizard will apparently download maps to virtually any GPS. I will be trying in a few days as our departure draws near.

Wayne

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the update Wayne!

[Ray,IN]

Time is always wrong for my driving style. My average speed, including rest stops, lunch, etc. is 50 MPH. That's what I use to plan my travel day. So far I haven't found any map program that allows the user to set the average speed.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Time is always wrong for my driving style. My average speed, including rest stops, lunch, etc. is 50 MPH. That's what I use to plan my travel day. So far I haven't found any map program that allows the user to set the average speed.

I'll not be paying $40/yr for that RVtripwizard mapping website, my current method is working satisfactorily.

[bigben]

In my earlier post I forgot to mention that my GS trips transfer directly to our Rand McNally 7720 - POIs and all. For plotting our course and looking for things to do, GS is very helpful. My RM 7720 has the same POIs.

FWIW