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Best online route planners 2022

Which web-based journey planner makes the most sense.

With the summer holidays fast approaching, the number of British drivers hitting the road to travel to family, friends and beach resorts is only set to increase – and this means an inevitable rise in traffic and congestion.

One way to avoid being stuck in nose-to-tail hold-ups is to use a route planner ahead of time, so you can see where traffic hotspots might be, plot any lunchtime stop-offs, and even plan for any electric-vehicle charging needs.

Over the years, in the era of built-in sat-navs and smartphones, these pre-journey web planners have become less important. However, many providers have pivoted their model to allow you to plan in advance and then transfer to an integrated companion app. This is in addition to calculating journey times based not only on live traffic, but also on what the traffic is likely to be based on your chosen departure time.

For those travelling to remote parts where signal might be at a premium, the ability to print off hard copies of turn-by-turn instructions still has its uses, too.

We put eight route planners – all of them free to use – to the test, to see which one you should load up before your next road trip.

How we tested them

We put the eight route finders to the test with a journey from the Auto Express headquarters in central London, out through north-western suburbs, to the home of UK motoring: the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire. 

This allowed us to test city, A-road and motorway route planning, with each planner graded for accuracy, live traffic alerts and route options. 

Also taken into consideration during the test was the ability to print out turn-by-turn directions, how easy the planner was to link to an app and any other useful extra features offered.

Previous test winner Google Maps comes out on top again because it really does do everything you need, and in an easy and intuitive way. Waze and Bing Maps join it on the podium, and are great alternatives if you prefer the user interface. 

Google Maps

• Website: maps.google.co.uk
• Rating: 5 stars

Google Maps has long been our favourite route finder, doing everything simply, quickly and easily. This is the fifth time that we’ve awarded it top spot in this test, and for good reason. 

Searching is easy, and the planner has a wealth of options for fine-tuning your trip including live traffic, predicted traffic and app sharing. A bonus is the ability to switch between satellite imagery and a traditional map, as well as using Street View.

Of course, it’s embedded with the full power of Google, so you can find landmarks and other useful locations on your route extremely easily. It’s hard to see how it won’t always be the best of the bunch.

View Google Maps

• Website: waze.com/livemap
• Rating: 4.5 stars

Once the new kid on the block, Waze is now well established as a super route planner. Last time we ran this test, we were pleased to see the web-based journey planner had been updated to fall in line with the quality of the app, making use of the community-based traffic data. Journeys are accurate and timings based on live data. 

The website is fully integrated with the award-winning app, with intuitive buttons to let you transfer your journey to a smartphone. We were also impressed by the ability to schedule a journey with a desired arrival time, and Waze will prompt you when it’s time to set off based on traffic at that moment.

• Website: bing.com/maps

Microsoft’s version of Google is not far off our winner. Place searching and nav are intuitive, and you can easily add rest stops. Traffic is colour coded, and there’s a clear way to print. One frustration is that there’s no obvious way to share your planning with an app – a shame in a connected world. 

Not seen elsewhere is live Highways England traffic-camera feeds, showing flow at that location – really useful in bad-traffic areas.

View Bing Maps

• Website: wego.here.com
• Rating: 4 stars

Here’s a top company that provides software for car makers’ own sat-navs, and its WeGo route finder is impressive. It looks more advanced than Bing or Google, but is actually a bit less intuitive. That said, all the core functionality is there, although whether it’s accounting for live traffic isn’t all that clear. It is easy to transfer a planned route to the HERE app or print directions.

View HERE WeGo

TomTom MyDrive

• Website: mydrive.tomtom.com

This online route finder started life as a companion site for those who owned a TomTom sat-nav, but now it’s transitioned to work just as well for those without. Functionality matches its rivals’, too. 

A unique feature is the Thrill option, to give a more scenic route based on how hilly or winding you want it to be. We also like the motorcycle-friendly route option. If you own a TomTom, you can share your progress directly to your device, too, or just with your smartphone to turn it into a sat-nav. 

View TomTom MyDrive

Via Michelin

• Website: viamichelin.co.uk/web/routes
• Rating: 3.5 stars

A bright spot here is a function to calculate the cost of a journey and then generate an expense receipt. The planning functionality is solid, with accurate routes and the option to take current traffic into account. 

Yet while the options to tailor your journey are quite extensive, it’s a shame most are hidden behind complex and cluttered filters. You can print directions easily, but again there’s no option to share with an app.

View Via Michelin

AA Route Planner

• Website: theaa.com/route-planner
• Rating: 3 stars

The AA is better known for breakdown cover than route planning. Its online offering falls behind some of the tech-based firms’, with a slightly outdated site and functionality. But the basics are all there and you can use the AA’s library of live traffic alerts to tailor your journey to avoid jams. 

However, it’s quite clunky to use and the adverts make it messy – especially when compared to the simplicity of our top-ranked sites. While you can print directions, there’s no way to share with a paired app.

View AA Route Planner

RAC Route Planner

• Website: rac.co.uk/route-planner

As with the AA, the core function of getting from A to B is there, with accurate routes, yet the user interface is not as smooth as our winner’s. Location look-up could be a lot better and there’s no way to use predicted traffic for future departures. Again, printing directions is easy, but there’s no app. Importantly, the RAC offers the option to calculate how much the trip will cost in fuel.

View RAC Route Planner

Now read our list of the best sat-nav apps ...

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Travel Cost Calculator

Quick links, trip pricing calculator.

Travelmath provides an online cost calculator to help you determine the cost of driving between cities. You can use this data to figure out a budget for a road trip. The driving calculation is based on the average fuel efficiency of your vehicle, and you can change the gas mileage in mpg or L/100 km to match your exact make and model. Gas prices are automatically estimated based on current fluctuations, and again you can adjust these to fit your local gas station prices. Both U.S. and international units are available to make the calculations easier to use, and the output is given for both one-way and round trip travel routes.

Check the driving distance for your planned route, and see if the total driving time requires an overnight stay. If it's a long trip, you may want to research some hotels along the way . Or compare whether it's better to fly or drive to your destination.

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Route Planner

Driving directions.

The route deemed to be the safest and simplest with minimal scope for error along the way. The default recommended route from Michelin.

The route offering the shortest distance to a destination via the most accessible roads. Journey times for this option will tend to be longer.

The most fuel-efficient route that also avoids toll roads.

My cost options

• B7 (Diesel)
• E5 (Unleaded)
• E85 (superethanol)
• CNG (Biomethane)
• H2 (Hydrogen)

My route options

• E5 (Unleaded) €1.700
• Route : Fast
• Distance in : Kilometres
• No restrictions
• Route from this place
• Directions to this place
• Route via this place
• Nearby hotels
• Nearby restaurants

Arrive at %{address} Organise your trip

Accommodation, other services, restaurants at %{address}.

• See restaurants from the Michelin selection

Tourist Attractions at %{address}

• View the must-see tourist sites

Keep in contact

My michelin account.

Work in progress.

AA Route Planner vs Google Maps: Which is best for UK driving?

Do you know where you’re going to, asked a concerned Diana Ross. With a web-based route planning tool, you can say ‘Yes thanks, Di!’. But when it comes down to deciding between the AA Route Planner and Google Maps, which is supreme?

• Getting driving directions is much easier now, courtesy of route planning tools
• Two of the most popular ways to plan your route are Google Maps and AA Route Planner
• Both tools give recommended route information, which helps keep journey time and fuel costs low
• For those in a hurry, AA Route Planner delivers the clearest and cleanest information

AA Route Planner vs Google Maps: Which is best for UK driving: FAQs

What is the first step in planning a route.

The very first step is making sure you need to go at all. So much can be achieved remotely now that often, what was only doable in person can be easily accomplished via the net. If you need to make the trip, then your first step is to fire up your AA Route Planner to get a clear idea of where you’re going .

What are the time saving benefits of using AA Route Planner?

The AA route finder gives you a super-clear road map and a straightforward dashboard, which aids functionality. When you use it to plan your road trip, it’s very difficult to go wrong, giving exceptionally clear A to B steps for those who need to know the shortest route in a hurry.

What does the website do?

The website - theaa.com - gives not just the means by which you can engage in route planning, it also tells you broader real-time information on traffic alerts, road closures, and the road network in general. This is included for those who want to learn about AA’s main business - breakdown cover.

Ah, driving. The thrill of the open road, the promise of adventure , venturing forth into the great unknown with only Steppenwolf on the stereo for company. But what happens when you end up taking on a bit more great unknown than you intended to? Born to be wild you may be, but there are limits. 

If you’re lost, it can be a big deal: it can mean delays, missed deadlines, or even a stern look from your spouse and possibly no tea. Let’s take a look at two commonly used ways to avoid all that: AA Route Planner and Google Maps. We gave them both a long journey to really get their teeth into - Truro to Thurso, i.e. one end of the country to the other. OK, turn that key.

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Outline of each

Aa route planner.

This is a web-based directions tool in which the user enters starting location and destination (you can use postcode if you like), and you get the best route, along with how long the whole journey will take to complete. It considers factors such as weather conditions and speed limits to give up-to-date assistance to the otherwise meandering motorist. 

Google Maps

If you’ve used the internet before and you haven’t used Google, then the chances are your last surfing session was pre-millennium. On the face of it, Google Maps is similar to the AA Route Planner. Once again, you enter starting and finishing points, and the Google guys (well, bots) come up with a route for you, plus how long you’ll be driving for. 

Ease of use

On entering the journey into AA Route Planner, we were greeted with a nice clear display, with a map route on the right and the info on the left. We were told it would take 13 hours and 23 minutes. 

When you fire up Google Maps, you get a map with a search box. You need to click on the Directions arrow to get the From and To boxes (this isn’t clearly flagged).

Another slight complication: Google Maps told us that the journey from Truro to Thurso would take 11 days to complete. This compared rather unfavourably with the AA’s estimate. Then it turned out that we hadn’t selected the car icon at the top, so it gave us the journey time by foot (it will keep the selection you made the last time you used it). 

On picking the car icon, we were told it would take us 13 hours and 35 minutes. 

Both tools offered us the choice of two different routes, with broadly similar journey times being quoted. They both offered an option to add another location en route. 

AA Route Planner gave us the choice of avoiding motorways, tolls, and current traffic jams. Google gave us the same, as well as showing us on the map where roadworks and traffic incidents were currently affecting matters. 

Google also gives a range of extra options you can select at the top, such as the locations of hotels, petrol stations, EV charging points, and campsites. The AA site gives you options to click for traffic news and AA hotels. 

Finally, Google has a button you can click to send journey details to your mobile. AA Route Planner has a print button instead. 

App quality

We thought it crucial to check out the apps, seeing how a lot of motorists will be interacting with these tools via a mobile phone. 

AA Route Planner is part of the general AA app. On entering the journey data, you get a map with step-by-step directions below. 

Google Maps gives pretty much the same experience as the website. It gives the most fuel-efficient route and provides Streetmap links to ensure you’re on the right road when road signs aren’t visible. 

Which one to choose?

For us, it all boiled down to one thing. If you want to know what museums and whatnot you’re likely to pass on your merry way, then Google Maps is for you. For those with time to take in some extra stops en route, Google Maps gives you all you need to plan a fun-filled trip .

However, if you’re in a hurry and want the quickest basic information on getting where you’re going, the AA Route Planner is your best bet. It’s no-frills, but that’s what you need sometimes, especially when you’re up against a deadline. And there’s no chance of inadvertently getting public transport or cycle route info. 

Mind how you go!

Image Credit: Ingo Joseph at Pexels

Route planner

Driving directions.

The route deemed to be the safest and simplest with minimal scope for error along the way. The default recommended route from Michelin.

The route offering the shortest distance to a destination via the most accessible roads. Journey times for this option will tend to be longer.

The most fuel-efficient route that also avoids toll roads.

My cost options

• B7 (Diesel)
• E5 (Unleaded)
• E85 (superethanol)
• CNG (Biomethane)
• H2 (Hydrogen)

My route options

• E5 (Unleaded) €1.700
• Route : Fast
• Distance in : Kilometres
• No restrictions
• Route from this place
• Directions to this place
• Route via this place
• Nearby hotels
• Nearby restaurants

Arrive at %{address} Organise your trip

Accommodation, other services, restaurants at %{address}.

• See restaurants from the Michelin selection

Tourist Attractions at %{address}

• View the must-see tourist sites

Renting a car, an attractive proposition for the holidays

Monthly Report

Eco-mobility

Keep in contact

My michelin account.

Work in progress.

AAA Travel Information:

Aaa triptik travel planner - more than maps & directions.

Everything You Need to Make Trip Planning Simpler

Plan a road trip online with AAA TripTik Travel Planner, and save your trips for use with the AAA Mobile app . Along with trip planning maps and traveling directions, you can find AAA Approved and Diamond Rated places to stay and dine . Use the booking feature to make hotel reservations. Find nearby gas stations and get updated fuel prices . Locate electric vehicle charging stations. Calculate your driving distance and save your trips for use with the AAA Mobile app. Learn More

Accompanying Maps You Can Print

Complete your AAA travel package with printable maps from AAA Map Gallery on AAA.com. Map Gallery has full-color maps of more than 400 popular destination areas across North America from Miami Beach to British Columbia. If you're a member, stop by your local AAA office. AAA's team of knowledgeable travel professionals will create a TripTik Travel Planner routing for you, provide information on vacation packages, help you find the best travel deals and even help you rent a car for the trip.

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Book your hotel, save more when you bundle, all packages, map layers (*available when zoomed in), app language, dropdown lists, triptik options, enhanced options, email your triptik, covers & inserts, roadtrip names goes here, saved places name here, restaurants, attractions, campgrounds, auto repair, aaa/caa offices.

EXPLORING THE OPEN ROAD MADE EASY

The one travel planner for every road trip get directions and maps. find gas stations. know where to stop. plan things to do..

Maps & Directions Get directions for a cross-town drive or map an epic journey.

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Mobile-friendly On the go? No worries everything you need in the palm of your hands

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380.1 miles 8 hours , 3 minutes

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP

307.4 miles : 6 hours , 52 minutes

YELLOWSTONE TO GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP

401.6 miles : 10 hours , 26 minutes

Why AAA TripTik is the ultimate road trip planner

For a basic drive, simply enter a starting point and destination to map your route and get turn-by-turn directions, or enter up to 25 stopovers to create a complete road trip.

Use the points of interest icons to locate and get information about nearby restaurants, attractions and events, and to find and book hotels that meet AAA standards for quality and cleanliness.

Display the gas station icons to know where to fill up along the way. Station listings show the fuel grades offered and the latest per-gallon gas price.

Planning to bike or walk instead? Choose the icon to adjust the routes.

Traveling with your pet? No problem.  AAA has quick and easy ways to let you know which hotels are pet-friendly.

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AAA Mobile 4+

American automobile association.

• #32 in Lifestyle
• 4.6 • 86K Ratings

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Description.

AAA Mobile improves on-the-go access to trusted AAA services including trip planning, discounts and roadside assistance. The mobile version of AAA’s TripTik® Travel Planner helps you find AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels, restaurants and attractions, and the ability to create and share itineraries between your desktop and mobile devices. KEY FEATURES INCLUDE: Maps & Discounts • Find more than 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants • Book your next hotel or rental car • Receive member discount offers at over 164,000 locations • Share saved trips across desktop and mobile devices* • Find AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, AAA office locations, and cheapest gas prices near you Roadside Assistance* • Request Roadside Assistance from the app • Get instant battery replacement quotes (not available in all areas) Passbook* (iPhone only, iOS 6 or higher) • Add a scannable AAA membership card to your Passbook *You must be a current AAA member to use these features. Not a member? You can still use our unparalleled trip planner functions. To take full advantage of all the features of this app, Join AAA. NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

Version 24.5.0

Performance improvements and bug fixes

Ratings and Reviews

86K Ratings

This App gives me a feeling of security!

I’m a first time user of the AAA app. Last Friday while on the interstate our truck overheated and so did the transmission, blowing fluid out of the dipstick tube, so I called AAA for assistance. While on the phone they walked me through installation of the app. While I was on the phone the truck cooled down and my husband was able to put transmission fluid back in the truck. I was able to cancel my call for assistance easily using this app. Yesterday I went out to go to work and my car cranked but would not turn over. Today I used the app to schedule my car to be towed to our mechanic. They kept in touch with me through the whole process with text messages and a map on the app that showed me where the tow truck was at at all times and it’s ETA. These are wonderful features! I keep thinking about what if I was alone and stranded on a dark road? I would know that help was on its way because the app also has the ability to locate me, and if I’m remembering correctly it asked if I’m in a safe location and gives me an option to call 911. SECURITY :-)

Developer Response ,

Thanks for the feedback! We are pleased to hear this!

App generally ok, but timer is flawed

The app is generally ok. It provides a space to put your member card so you don’t have to carry it around, links to other services you can buy, and the roadside assistance link. Generally, the request for roadside assistance is easy to use - just a few clicks and help is supposedly on the way. The issue is that the “arrival time” timer isn’t really based on any actual information for your case. It’s an average of all of their service calls. My 20-min wait has turned into a 90-min wait, with phone support stating they don’t really know where the service techs are or when they’ll arrive or if they’re really on their way to me. First time user of this app and the roadside assistance service of AAA. Honestly, my next round I’ll continue using USAA. Their communication (app, text, and phone) are much more rooted in reality and don’t set up false expectations or hopes while you’re stranded on the side of the road. **Edit to update that we’ve now been on the side of the highway for two and a half hours, and the phone tech finally shared that A)They haven’t found a driver yet and B) they’re not sure they can because all of the orgs on their list aren’t affiliated to AAA anymore. So, yeah - the timer in the app is a gimmick. There wasn’t anyone on the way when it started counting down. I’ll give the app five stars for setting false expectations, thou!

We sincerely apologize for your roadside assistance experience. If you don't mind would you please provide information such as your name and membership number to the email [email protected]? This will allow us to have the information needed to help review your experience with your local club. Thank you.

God to know

Since doesn’t exist a place where I can share my experience with AAA I’m gonna do it in the app review with the hope that it doesn't happen to anyone else, 8 months ago I needed a towing service, I called them at 5:00 pm and they told me that everything was late and it was going to take at least 2 hours. 4 hours passed and no one arrived, when I called again they told me that I could wait or I could pay for a service on my own, then I could upload the receipt to their website and they would gave me a refund of what the service would cost because the ETA of the tow truck that they where sending was for 11:00 PM. I hired a service on my own, and uploaded the receipt to their website. 8 months have passed and I have not heard anything about my supposed refund even though they only towed me 3 miles and my membership is Plus. But the insulting thing is that when you call the number that they gave you, you literally spend hours on line and no one answers. So I call the regular number asking for an email address where I can explain my case… the representative tells me that she doesn't have any email that she can give me for that, that if I want to apply for a credit card 😂😂. The level of disrespect and the way they handle the situation is regrettable. There is no contact information were you can address them for this matter, your paying for a service that they’re not providing.

App Privacy

The developer, American Automobile Association , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

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The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

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Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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