route numbers instead of road names

I see this same thing on my 2595. At times it will display the street name (i.e. "Worcester Road") and at other times it will show the actual route number ("9"). It seems to vary with the zoom level, but I have also seen it switch back and forth between the two modes as you are travel along the route. I prefer the symbols. Interstates always seem to have their symbol displayed.

If you choose fastest route, the unit will always try to do just that.
If you drive through a city it will show the street name because that is whats listed on the street sign as you approach it and not a highway number....
The unit is doing EXACTLY as it should,, I have the 765t and would not trade it for any on the market.

It's a function of the map data. Both of my Nuvi's went from route numbers to local street name when I updated to the 2010 maps. I agree, it's most annoying.

With my TomTom GO 720 when I select a "computer" (TTS) voice I am presented with a list of options for what it will say. I have both "Read aloud street names" and "Read aloud road numbers" selected, so if the road has both then I will get something like

"Turn right, Highway 2, Centre Street"

However, if the entry in the map database for that segment has the same value for both "street name" and "road number" then my TomTom will say the same thing twice:

"Turn right, Highway 2, Highway 2"

I've never found it particularly annoying, and I suppose that unnecessary duplication is preferable to only getting half of the story.

Inside the city, town or village limits, the proper name is the street name, not the route number. Outside of the limits, the proper name is the route number. You might also consider that street signs list the street name, not the route number.

Consider: when you are a visitor in a city, and want to navigate to a restaurant or a meeting, would you rather have the GPS use roads or routes?

The TomTom and the Iphone(since they use TomTom's maps) speak road names and routes which is nice.

It doesn't bother me that the Garmin does not say route names since I pay attention to the arrow rather than listen for the road name.

I'd rather have my GPS tell me how far to the next turn and which way to turn.

If street signs show the street name, why would I want something that isn't posted?

I was mainly referring to the way it displays data when travelling along an interstate and crossing major routes on a trip. I usually have my map view zoomed out about 1-2 miles. Sometimes it will display the route numbers ("9" "1" "66") and sometimes the actual street name. In this scenario, I would prefer the route name. "Blue Pond Road" is useless to me, especially if it's a major route I'm crossing like "Route 1". Seeing the route helps to get your bearings, especially if you cross it more than once or it's out on the edge of the map and you know you will be using that route on your trip ahead at some point.

I agree that once you are on it, approaching it after taking an exit, or travelling along it in a city, it makes more sense to see the street name. What is strange though is the way the map will switch back and forth between the two modes.

I personally would like it if local name were eliminated. Example: "Get on US Hwy 19, drive 400 miles".

But the politicians insist on naming every little segment for their buddies, probably hoping the favor might be repaid later, when it's their turn.

It's even more confusing without the GPS, which at least shows on screen. MS Streets & Trips can fill four pages of instructions listing every name change, and, as pointed out, one never knows whether to input "US Hwy XX, or MLK Drive (No offense intented to MLK, just an obvious example)".

My idea: Politicians can only designate street names if they pay for the signs.

Just my rant, feel free to ignore.

Roy Adams

I personally would prefer to see the street name rather than just US HWY 19, displaying the street name depicts a more concise area of where on US Highway you currently are on. Althouhh I must admit it can be a pitfall at times when you are lost and have no idea what road you're on, knowing the Highway # in this case would be more useful.

Regarding your sentiments about politicians paying for signs for designated streets, please consider if a politician suggests a road be named for a fallen soldier who paid the ultimate price, then that is a noble deed and I would support it.

I would like to see both the street name and the route number displayed. How hard can that be to program? As it is, I get annoyed that so many views show neither. I have to zoom to get to a level that will show the street name/number. Yes, I have map detal set to maximum/most; I am not impressed with the lack of detail at the highest setting.

When I was traveling to Newark DE from Lancaster PA, my GPS took me on a number of roads, telling me to turn every few miles. After awhile I realized I just needed to stay on 896 the entire way. I would rather see that for the entire trip instead of telling me to turn every name change on the road.

I don't really have a preference and all of my GPSs have gotten me everywhere I've needed to go for years. If in doubt, just follow the little pink line.

One thing worth noting is that many, many roads in western PA seem to continuously change names every block or 2 and can be a little confusing.

I do have an Int. exit down the road a bit where all of my GPSs leading up to the exit ramp all refer to the road as Route two two eight. Then just as you are about to turn left or right it says, turn right on route two hundred twenty eight. It's just the kind of thing that makes you wonder why and snicker a little bit.

I agree 100%, I keep thinking my 2460 is taken me off the route and all that is happening is a name change on the road. How hard would it be to list the route number and the local name after it and not bothering giving me directions when the route doesn't change. It is especially annoying when after warned me about a name change after going around a gentle turn it doesn't bother warning me about a major turn in the road where my route goes off in another direction and the main road continues.