Tips for Road Trips and Travelers
Using MapQuest can enhance your road trip planning. Here are a few tips. For detailed information about our mapping services, check out our comparison with Google Maps.
Plan Rest Stops
On a long drive, you'll likely need breaks for fuel, food, or sightseeing. MapQuest allows you to search for gas stations, restaurants, or hotels along your route. Use our Mileage Calculator to estimate distances between stops and plan your breaks efficiently.
Have a Backup Map
While digital navigation is convenient, it's wise to have a backup plan. Download offline maps or keep a paper map as a backup. Check out NHTSA's Road Safety Guidelines for more safety tips, and visit National Weather Service for travel weather updates.
Stay Aware of Conditions
Check weather and road conditions before and during your trip. MapQuest provides real-time traffic updates to help you avoid delays.
Tips for Delivery Drivers and Business Travel
MapQuest is also popular among delivery drivers, sales reps, and others who need to navigate to many addresses in one trip. If you're using MapQuest for work driving:
Optimize Multi-Stop Routes
Enter all your stops into MapQuest and use the Optimize feature to find the most efficient order. You can include up to 26 stops in one route. If you have more than that in a single day, break them into two routes (e.g. morning and afternoon) to stay within the limit.
Use the App for Navigation
When making many stops, use the MapQuest mobile app for guided navigation. It will seamlessly take you from one stop to the next without you having to constantly input addresses, making your delivery run smoother. Plus, you'll get real-time traffic updates for each leg of the journey.
Be Flexible and Safe
If a new delivery comes up or traffic forces a change, you can easily add a stop or reorder your route in MapQuest. Take a minute to pull over and update your plan. The ability to quickly adjust will keep your schedule on track – just remember to make changes safely when you're not in motion.
MapQuest provides the tools to chart your course effectively, whether you're on a cross-country road trip or a daily delivery circuit. By leveraging its features like multi-stop optimization and live traffic updates, you can confidently find the best routes and reach all your destinations smoothly.