Trip Computers

Planning a trip? The cheapest, easiest way to plot your journey is by logging on to one of the many online route finders. We assess the best

Auto Express Car Reviews

May 2009

Portable sat-nav remains hugely popular with drivers – but when preparing for a trip, an online journey planner is the way to go.

The top ones not only show the route, they can also estimate how long it will take and how much it will cost.

And the best bit is they’re free, which means if your budget can’t stretch to a sat-nav, you can simply log on to plan your route. So, which is the Web wizard? We clicked on 10 to find out.

The Test

We calculated two journeys – one cross-country, the other from near Cambridge to the Auto Express office in London – looking for the most efficient route. We compared estimated times to the actual journey, and took into account ease of use, route options and instructions, plus features such as estimated cost, camera warnings and points of interest.

Verdict

It might seem as if Google is taking over the world, but it’s way out in front when it comes to route planning. It’s quick, efficient, has photographs of many of the junctions en route, plus it’s ad-free. ViaMichelin and sister site Green Flag complete the podium, thanks to a wide range of route preferences.

1. Google Maps
2. ViaMichelin
3. Green Flag