MAK

I'm starting to plan my summer and hope to do a few Amtrak out and ride back two and three day mini tours. Just to see how Mapquest looks, I just checked Washington , D.C. to my house. The route for cars (direct and using major highways) and bikes (lots of less than one mile segments and lots of turns) was about 1/2 mile different in total distance. Makes me wonder about accuracy. Does Mapquest avoid less than desirable areas, etc. I look forward to hearing about your experiences. Thank you.

MAK

A once and only once bump.

I really thought this was an appropriate question that others would be interested in too.

Machka 

I haven't used Mapquest since ... hmmm ... maybe 2005? Possibly 2003? I didn't realise it still existed.

Crawford53

I'd steer clear of Mapquest, whether it for car or bike. I prefer to use google maps for bike directions, they are relatively straight forward without unnecessary route changes and they also let me know what type of road I'll be on ahead of time (MUP, bike lane, bike-friendly, etc).

staehpj1

I have used Google maps a good bit. I sometimes find that I am happy with the suggested bike routes and sometimes don't care for the bike route choices. At times they seem to go out of their way to use bike paths where I would rather use regular roads. Overall they are a pretty good tool, I just sometimes prefer the directions given for cars with the avoid highways option selected.

I haven't used mapquest in years so I have nothing useful to add about it.

indyfabz

Heh. When I first saw this thread that's the first thing that popped into my head.

I have used Google Maps bike directions with decent results, at least in in these parts. Out west it can get you into trouble by routing you on unpaved roads or things that are not really roads.

OP: How do you plan to take you bike on Amtrak? Unless you have a folder you can only take it on trains with checked baggage service (and between stations with checked baggage service.) Not too many of those on the Northeast Corridor.

Flyboy718

Hmm. I asked Amtrak and they said its an extra $10 unless you have a folder.

indyfabz

It's not the cost that is the issue. In most instances, you can only take a full-size bike on a train with checked baggage service and then only between stations with checked baggage service. There are some exceptions, like some of the Boston- Maine trains and some trains up and down the Pacific coast, were they have what is known as roll-on service. It's all explained on Amtrak's web site:

https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard

The OP lives in DE and wrote about taking Amtrak and riding home in 3 days, so roll-on service does not appear to be an option.

mstateglfr 

Like most everyone else, I haven't used mapquest in years. Probably a dozen years. I didn't realize it was still around or had much for detail. Everything I see these days is either google maps(85%) or bing(15%).

I can say that google maps is excellent, at least in my area. It details dedicated paved trails, bike lanes, unpaved trails, and bike friendly roads.

Sorry, but it doesn't look like there is much help/experience for mapquest.

MAK

Good point...I am planning on buying a folder for these trips. I don't care about speed, so a folder will suit my purposes very well. I'm really looking forward to the summer.

Rev

I have used Maquest almost weekly for the past 2.5 years in my business car seeking urban, suburban, and rural addresses totaling 38,000/yr. It's incredibly more accurate and intuitive than other maps that I've tried. I paid $5 for the app and think I've gotten my money's worth.