Originally Posted by Atlas Shrugged

Enabling gravel roads on a Garmin nüvi device is a straightforward process that involves adjusting the "Avoidances" in your navigation settings. Since the nüvi is an automotive GPS, its primary function is to keep you on paved roads, so you'll need to explicitly tell it that unpaved roads are acceptable.
Here's a general step-by-step guide:
* Access the Settings Menu:
* From the main menu of your nüvi, select Settings. On some older models, this might be under a Tools menu.
* Look for an option called Navigation or Route Preferences.
* Find the "Avoidances" Menu:
* Within the Navigation or Route Preferences settings, you will see an Avoidances menu. This is where you can select which types of road features the device should avoid.
* Common avoidances include highways, tolls, ferries, and carpool lanes.
* Disable "Unpaved Roads" Avoidance:
* In the Avoidances list, you should see an option for Unpaved Roads (it might also be labeled as "Gravel Roads," "Dirt Roads," etc.).
* If this option has a checkmark next to it, the device is actively trying to avoid these roads. Uncheck this box to disable the avoidance.
By unchecking this box, you are telling the nüvi that it is acceptable to use unpaved roads when calculating a route.
Important Considerations:
* Shorter Distance vs. Faster Time: Even with the unpaved road avoidance disabled, your nüvi will still likely prioritize a paved route if it is deemed faster. If you want a more adventurous, non-paved route, change your route preference to "Shorter Distance" instead of "Faster Time." A shorter distance route is more likely to include gravel roads if they provide a more direct path to your destination.
* Map Data: The accuracy of gravel road navigation depends on the map data loaded on your device. While the map may show a road, it might not have the specific data to identify it as a gravel or unpaved surface.
* Safety: Always use your own judgment when navigating on unpaved roads, as your nüvi will not be able to account for current road conditions, such as mud, snow, or washed-out sections.