Take Me Home, Country Roads
September 2, 2024 5:49 AM Subscribe
I’m on the hunt for some hive-mind wisdom: How do you stick to 2-lane roads with navigation apps?
Since picking up a convertible last year, I’ve been chasing the charm of smaller roads around NJ and NY with Mrs. Nandaro and our two kiddos. But more often than not, Google Maps takes me onto multi-lane roads, even with the “Avoid highways” option on. Sure, it’s fast, but where’s the fun in that?
So, I’m turning to this awesome community for advice. I’m looking for any tips, tricks, or apps that can help me stick to those 2-lane roads and keep the drive as scenic and relaxed as possible.
The Roadblock:
- Google Maps avoids highways, but it still sends me onto 4 or 6-lane roads—not quite the small-town vibe I’m after.
- I’ve tried adding waypoints, but it’s a hassle, and Google Maps keeps nudging me toward faster routes unless I constantly decline.
What I Need:
- Apps or Tools: Any suggestions for navigation apps that let you pick smaller roads or scenic routes? Something that actually lets me avoid those big roads.
-Workarounds: Any hacks in Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps that help you dodge the larger roads?
- Other Ideas: Maybe you’ve got an old-school technique or a creative method that makes your drives more enjoyable. I’m all ears!
I’d love to hear what’s worked for you or if you’ve run into the same roadblocks. Whether it’s an app suggestion, a routing trick, or something else entirely, let’s swap ideas and make our drives as enjoyable as possible.
Thanks a ton for your help!
So, I’m turning to this awesome community for advice. I’m looking for any tips, tricks, or apps that can help me stick to those 2-lane roads and keep the drive as scenic and relaxed as possible.
The Roadblock:
- Google Maps avoids highways, but it still sends me onto 4 or 6-lane roads—not quite the small-town vibe I’m after.
- I’ve tried adding waypoints, but it’s a hassle, and Google Maps keeps nudging me toward faster routes unless I constantly decline.
What I Need:
- Apps or Tools: Any suggestions for navigation apps that let you pick smaller roads or scenic routes? Something that actually lets me avoid those big roads.
-Workarounds: Any hacks in Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps that help you dodge the larger roads?
- Other Ideas: Maybe you’ve got an old-school technique or a creative method that makes your drives more enjoyable. I’m all ears!
I’d love to hear what’s worked for you or if you’ve run into the same roadblocks. Whether it’s an app suggestion, a routing trick, or something else entirely, let’s swap ideas and make our drives as enjoyable as possible.
Thanks a ton for your help!
i live in a rural area, so selecting "bicycle" instead of car would give me a convertible friendly route. i haven't lived in NJ in over twenty years but I'm assuming there are now more bicycle paths that might interfere with this hack.
posted by noloveforned at 6:06 AM on September 2 [6 favorites]
posted by noloveforned at 6:06 AM on September 2 [6 favorites]
What you need is a state gazetteer, not a restaurant-advertising platform. You may have to suffer the indignity of planning your route ahead of time, like a savage from 1999 :)
It's much better than a big fold out map because it has several zoom levels and more information about road type. With a co-pilot it's easy enough to navigate on the fly. Have fun!
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:15 AM on September 2 [8 favorites]
It's much better than a big fold out map because it has several zoom levels and more information about road type. With a co-pilot it's easy enough to navigate on the fly. Have fun!
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:15 AM on September 2 [8 favorites]
Such a great question! This prompted me to check out the OpenStreetMap wiki which has a list of routing services that offer various features and customizability. In theory a routing engine could be optimized for any of the parameters in the OpenStreetMap data, including number of lanes.
On that list I found a (free) service called Kurviger that's optimized for motorcycles, but may fit your use case well:
"Kurviger calculates curvy routes that are fun to ride on bike. Curves and slopes are preferred, while cities and highways are avoided."
You can further choose to "avoid motorways" and "avoid main roads" which will definitely create a back-roads route! Whether it's scenic or not will be in the eye of the beholder...
posted by sriracha at 7:05 AM on September 2 [5 favorites]
On that list I found a (free) service called Kurviger that's optimized for motorcycles, but may fit your use case well:
"Kurviger calculates curvy routes that are fun to ride on bike. Curves and slopes are preferred, while cities and highways are avoided."
You can further choose to "avoid motorways" and "avoid main roads" which will definitely create a back-roads route! Whether it's scenic or not will be in the eye of the beholder...
posted by sriracha at 7:05 AM on September 2 [5 favorites]
with navigation apps?
"prefer fuel-efficient routes" is a helpful option
posted by HearHere at 7:31 AM on September 2
"prefer fuel-efficient routes" is a helpful option
posted by HearHere at 7:31 AM on September 2
YES! Definitely use your state gazetteer if want to ramble.
You may have to suffer the indignity of planning your route ahead of time, like a savage from 1999 :)
That's half the fun! The other half is using Atlas Obscura or Roadtrippers to plan fun things to stop and see on your trips. Try a hard copy, maybe like this one.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:24 AM on September 2 [2 favorites]
You may have to suffer the indignity of planning your route ahead of time, like a savage from 1999 :)
That's half the fun! The other half is using Atlas Obscura or Roadtrippers to plan fun things to stop and see on your trips. Try a hard copy, maybe like this one.
posted by BlueHorse at 10:24 AM on September 2 [2 favorites]
Join a motorcycle forum
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:08 PM on September 2
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:08 PM on September 2
I think you have to do a little bit of manual work to really get a good route. I use the Roadtrippers app, and set "waypoints" to make the route go how I want rather than the interstate default.
You can do the same with Google Maps, you just need to drill down so you can see those secondary roads. I just like Roadtrippers because it pulls in a lot more local color than Google does. Google, however, knows somewhat more about current construction.
A note: consider time of day when planning your routes. You think one-stoplight towns don't have rush hour, but they do, plus there's always a tractor in there somewhere.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:09 PM on September 2 [3 favorites]
You can do the same with Google Maps, you just need to drill down so you can see those secondary roads. I just like Roadtrippers because it pulls in a lot more local color than Google does. Google, however, knows somewhat more about current construction.
A note: consider time of day when planning your routes. You think one-stoplight towns don't have rush hour, but they do, plus there's always a tractor in there somewhere.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:09 PM on September 2 [3 favorites]
If your kids are old enough get them involved in the itinerary with paper maps. One of my grandkids has been doing this since he was six, he loves maps and loves reading. I have vague memories of doing the same at his age way back in the dark ages in Europe before there were even highways in most areas. And yes, in addition to large maps for each state get one of those books of county maps. Mine for NY helped me find an eclipse viewing place on Lake Ontario last spring.
posted by mareli at 2:46 PM on September 2 [4 favorites]
posted by mareli at 2:46 PM on September 2 [4 favorites]
There's a "trip options" bit of Google Maps that lets you select "Avoid Highways."
I've done this enough in my own fun car that Google now often offers twisty roads with a longer ETA all on its own.
posted by She Vaped An Entire Sock! at 7:14 PM on September 2
I've done this enough in my own fun car that Google now often offers twisty roads with a longer ETA all on its own.
posted by She Vaped An Entire Sock! at 7:14 PM on September 2
In New Jersey, if you want two-lane and scenic, stick to the 500-level county roads. These are generally really scenic if you're in northwestern Jersey, and usually pretty good elsewhere in New Jersey if you're not in the highly developed areas.
posted by mollweide at 7:50 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
posted by mollweide at 7:50 PM on September 2 [2 favorites]
The Osmand Maps app uses OpenStreetMap data, works offline with maps you download, has incredibly granular settings to control what kinds of roads you are routed on, and is free.
posted by mdonley at 8:57 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
posted by mdonley at 8:57 PM on September 2 [1 favorite]
Looking at a map of New Jersey, I'd say anywhere east of route 206 and north of 78 could work.
Also, there are roads like 130 in NJ and 22 in New York that are "formerly main roads". They are pretty straight and rural, and most of the traffic has moved to the major thruways.
posted by SemiSalt at 9:53 AM on September 6
Also, there are roads like 130 in NJ and 22 in New York that are "formerly main roads". They are pretty straight and rural, and most of the traffic has moved to the major thruways.
posted by SemiSalt at 9:53 AM on September 6
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I'd say if you're driving with family, initially it can help to pick a destination you know is a little rustic...a farm based ice cream stand? A lake? A middling hill to hike? Then solve it like a backwards maze: what are the dinkiest roads that'll get you there with a nice consistent cruising speed? You'll inevitably encounter stop and go strip-mall highways. You'll get turned around in residential neighborhoods. But that's part of the process.
Bring snacks. Put on a audiobook everyone can stand. Over time you'll built up a sixth sense about what turns are going to be fruitful.
posted by cocoagirl at 6:04 AM on September 2 [7 favorites]