How long does it take to drive from......
Aug 30, 2006 | 9:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
Posts: 9,483
How long does it take to drive from......
Taking a roadtrip. Mapquest and Yahoo differ on times between our destinations by 60+ minutes in some cases....Looking for realtime experiences:
Seattle to Boise ID
Boise to Green River UT.
Green River to Belen NM
Belen to Fort Stockton TX
Fort Stockton to Laredo.
Thanks for any help.
Seattle to Boise ID
Boise to Green River UT.
Green River to Belen NM
Belen to Fort Stockton TX
Fort Stockton to Laredo.
Thanks for any help.
Aug 30, 2006 | 10:34 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
I think different mapping programs make different assumptions about how fast you can go on certain types of roads. In Texas the rural roads will have speed limits up to 75 or 80, and that may not be adjusted for in the programs you're using. I'd check maps.google.com, see if it's close to the other two estimates you have, and figure something in the middle. I always assume those times to be rough estimates anyway.
Aug 30, 2006 | 12:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: BDL
Programs: NWA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, SPG, YX, AA
Posts: 5,354
I find that I always drive faster than Mapquest expects, but I am a 10mph over the limit driver, and on the interstate I will wait for a fast car to pass me and then follow that driver at even high speeds.
I once drove across Ohio - 242 miles - in something like 2.5 hours, averaging over 95mph following a fast driver about a quater mile ahead of me.
I once drove across Ohio - 242 miles - in something like 2.5 hours, averaging over 95mph following a fast driver about a quater mile ahead of me.
Aug 30, 2006 | 11:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Posts: 1,124
Looks like about a day per segment.
Belen to Ft. Stockton is a fairly easy day. Providing the traffic in El Paso ain't too bad. Interstate all the way. Probably 6-8 hours.
Ft Stockton to Laredo seems like it might be the longest and you are probably looking at something between 7 and 10 hours. Mostly on two lane roads, with limited services.
But it all depends on how fast you drive, road construction, Pit Stops, food, etc.
60 minutes difference from the mapping programs is well within actualities. for a trip this long, 60 minutes ain't gonna amount to a hill of beans. YOU WILL BE DRIVING ALL DAY ANYWAY.
Belen to Ft. Stockton is a fairly easy day. Providing the traffic in El Paso ain't too bad. Interstate all the way. Probably 6-8 hours.
Ft Stockton to Laredo seems like it might be the longest and you are probably looking at something between 7 and 10 hours. Mostly on two lane roads, with limited services.
But it all depends on how fast you drive, road construction, Pit Stops, food, etc.
60 minutes difference from the mapping programs is well within actualities. for a trip this long, 60 minutes ain't gonna amount to a hill of beans. YOU WILL BE DRIVING ALL DAY ANYWAY.
Aug 31, 2006 | 7:24 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Welcome to Boston. Expect stupid.
Programs: Foodland Maika'i Plastic Card, DL GM when it meant something
Posts: 300
IMHO both are accurate if interpreted correctly. This is based on my experience with 4-12 hour interstate trips.
Yahoo seems to give you BIS travel times as if you never stopped, even on all-day-long trips, and does seem to account for real-life (not posted) speeds.
Mapquest seems to consider real-life pit stop delays. Neither seems to do a good job of anticipating delays due to heavy traffic or construction. In other words:
Actual trip time = Mapquest time + traffic delays = Yahoo time + delays + how long it takes to stop for gas, food, potty, etc.
Yahoo seems to give you BIS travel times as if you never stopped, even on all-day-long trips, and does seem to account for real-life (not posted) speeds.
Mapquest seems to consider real-life pit stop delays. Neither seems to do a good job of anticipating delays due to heavy traffic or construction. In other words:
Actual trip time = Mapquest time + traffic delays = Yahoo time + delays + how long it takes to stop for gas, food, potty, etc.