Mapquest route upload to 255W can't find

The 255W is not capable of doing routes.

Your unit doesn't store routes, so the alternative is to use via or waypoints. On my 200 I would set a day's destination and then add via points to go the route I had mapped out. Keeping paper maps or printouts of your planned trip is the best way. The NUVI will get you from A to B, but not always the way you want to fo.

Yep. The best you can do is to create a series of Waypoints or Custom POIs and route to them in sequence manually.

I checked the Garmin site this morning and it said 2X5 could do routes.

You can enter routes on your 255 to be navigated immediately, but it does not have the capabability to save a multipoint route to be recalled later. It also is not able to import routes. You will need to upgrade to a different model if you want this capability.

There are routes and there are other routes.

The 2x5 series will internally create a “route” from your current position to a position identified by using the “Where to” icon. The route will be automatically changed (recalculated) if you do not follow the proposed directions. You will not be able to find a file describing this route in the folders on the unit.

The other type route is created by MapSource or Mapquest (and other means) using a series of fixed locations to describe a fixed path to be taken when going from Point A to Point B. This fixed type route is not changed based on your current position and available roads/streets like the internal 2x5 routes are. These type routes can be sent to Trail type Garmin GPS units and can be seen on them. (I think you can also send these to some automobile type GPS units such as the 760 but I have no experience with those.)

If you create a route by these other methods and send it to a 2x5 unit, the data can be seen (using a text editor or a spread sheet) in a .gpx file in the Garmin\GPX folder. However, the unit will not read the data as an internal “route”. Nor will it show any points along the route.

So I guess it would be more accurate to say that the 2x5 units will not do routes created by external sources.

Check the specs at https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13428#specsT... lok at routes and it states 0. Many users have reported that the unit can do more then one via point even though the manual only says one.See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/19196 for discussion on this.

Yes, I should have said "you can enter a single route on your 255 with multiple vias to be navigated immediately". Thanks for the clarification Charlie.

Mine only does one waypoint and one destination and the inability to do route is what i find restricting now about my 255w. It still gets me from A to B no problem though.

My next GPS shall have a more sensitive screen for input, bigger internal memory than 2G and the ability to avoid/ignore specific roads, store routes and cheap

Once you set a destination, your 255W should be able to accept one or more "via points" along the route - see page 5 of your manual. Repeat the steps shown and you can add several more via points. I don't know if there is a limit but you can definitely add more than one. I have done several on mine.

In Garmin's nuvi model lineup, the 855 is the only non-discontinued model that has custom road avoids. The 855 has dropped in price to $180 new (Amazon). I have seen it as low as $150 for a refurb.

Thanks all for the input. Guess I will just have to make due and use waypoints. I have used 2 waypoints on mine so I know I can use at least 2.

Once you set all the via's up click on the map to see the routing.

Thanks Alandb, I will keep a eye on that model. Unfortunately buying from Amazon is not possible for non-US address. I paid almost double for an LCD monitor recently because I couldn't order it from Amazon.

I am lucky that way. My in-laws are in Florida over the winter and I have all my Amazon orders shipped there. Just have to wait to either go down or have them come home. Works well.

I don't necessarily recommend buying a Garmin on eBay, but it might be a way to get one shipped to Canada. I saw a refurb 855 go for $137 on eBay the other day.

"I checked the Garmin site this morning and it said 2X5 could do routes."

The 2XX series will not take routes from MapSource.

You can however, make a destination on the unit, and add Via points.

Perhaps you misunderstood what Garmin was saying, as they aren't the most accurate people in the world at being precise and concise.