Mapquest to GPS

You are going to be a expert after all this is over.

It seems that after all the trouble and getting maps unlocked for Basecamp that there is a final solution. Basecamp works. Perhaps Garmin support was correct ... MapQuest has an issue at least with my model of GPS.

Anyway, thank you all for the help and patience.

I was checking a route for a trip I will be making in a few months. Mapquest (and google) calculate a route that is 10 hours versus 11 hours my device gives me. If i were to import this, does that mean when driving I should turn off the traffic reports and recalculations based on it.

What happens if we miss a turn? Does it recalculate based on the imported route or would it use its own algorithm?

Thank you.

The nuvi always uses its own map, algorithm and preferences when importing a route from any source. The only thing preserved when importing a route are the route points explicitly transferred within the GPX file. The more points you set, the more likely your route will be preserved. And yes, if you go off route, it will recalculate using its own resources.

I have the same problem with Garmin nuvi 50LM. I can create routes in MapQuest and send to the unit, but cannot find the routes, or waypoints, after turning on the unit. File check shows they are there as .gpx, they just don't show up. The 50 does not have Trip Planner, BTW. They are supposed to show up in Favorites, but don't. Without a Trip Planner function on the Garmin, I have to have some way to customize a trip, but no luck so far.

For units without the route option.You may try this. I used this process in the past. The Extra Poi Editor will not work if you have a Mac. See (link no longer available)

You could also make your csv file and use the Import Spreadsheet Tab on MapQuest.See http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42698 and have it re-order the stops then print it out.Then follow the steps outlined above.

Edit. Now that you can add categories for your favorites or saved places. Add one for the trip you plan to take and name it as needed. Stick all the saved locations in the category for the trip. You still have to select one at a time but they would all be in one location. Adding one as a via would also be a benefit.

I was surprised but the 50 does not have the ability to receive a route. Garmin says

Here is what I would suggest if you have not yet done this.

You have the option in MapQuest/RoutePlanner to send the data as either a "Route" or as "Waypoints". You want to send the locations as "Waypoints".

Now there will be a .gpx file in your device that should show up as Favorites.

To create something akin to a route, You would select the end point under Where To? > Go. Then Do another Where To? select another location and finally select "Add as a Via Point"

Please report.

John

I just signed back on to report that I found the exact solution by playing around with it. The first thing I did, however, was to update to the latest Communicator (already had next to last version).

I was still unable to send and access by using the Route option, but when I sent as Waypoint, each Waypoint I had created within the route showed up separately in Favorites.

What you have to do, as someone suggested, is drag the route in MapQuest to your customized point, then click on the red button and select "Make It A Route Stop." Each route stop you create will show up under Favorites separately.

You can do as you suggest, John, by first selecting the final destination then adding Via Points, or just select the points in order and selecting a new one as each one ends. This might give more flexibility in deviating from the route if you decide on some side trip.

This is sort of a long way around, but if it works, I can live with it.

Thanks to all who responded.

Good info thanks

Quoted from above post, "I was still unable to send and access by using the Route option, but when I sent as Waypoint, each Waypoint I had created within the route showed up separately in Favorites.

"What you have to do, as someone suggested, is drag the route in MapQuest to your customized point, then click on the red button and select "Make It A Route Stop." Each route stop you create will show up under Favorites separately."

I tested this out on a 200-mile round trip today and discovered, at least in this instance, if you select the final destination and then add the Waypoints (route stops), Garmin still does not recognize and/or alert you to them. It just has you follow the original route.

So, if you want to use the customized route, you will need to go to the Waypoints (route stops) in order, then end each one when you arrive, and start the next one. And, you need to be sure that you have dragged the route in MapQuest to the exact location, not one side or the other. To do this, zoom in very close. Otherwise, when you send it to Garmin, it will likely lead you off course.

I'm sure there are other work-arounds for this (one mentioned above), but so far this is the only one I have tested. If I test another one successfully, or if this one fails to work for me in the future, I will report back.

Happy Trails Y'all.

@rzrbug ... what you are reporting has nothing to do with Mapquest. Your nuvi 50LM is a basic model and does not have the Trip Planner feature and therefore does not support route import. You model nuvi will not accept routes from any source.

The higher end nuvis with the legacy "Custom Routes" feature or the Trip Planner feature will accept imported routes from MapQuest, BaseCamp, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and several other sources.

Please look at page 6 of your manual

http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac//nuvi_30_40_50_EN_OM.pdf

Try this and then report, please

Yes, @jgermann, that works, as I have done that in the past, but that is a different procedure than what I was discussing above. It is adding stop or Via Point to a route you have started, or imported. I have done this before.

I have had difficulty adding those Via Points from "Stops" that have been incorporated in a route customized in MapQuest. For example, on today's trip, I went to Favorites and added the Stops I had incorporated in MapQuest and selected "Add as Via Point." But, as I said above, 50LM did not acknowledge them. It did acknowledge Via Points I added on a recent trip that were selected from data already in the 50LM, including POI's downloaded from this site. Not a problem really, as long as I can customize a route and follow it, the method is not important.

Yes, @alandb, I realize I have a basic unit with built-in limitations. I am just trying to maximize its capabilities to suit my basic needs. And, my quest for information is neither a criticism of MapQuest nor Garmin.

As long as I can customize a route through a series of Waypoints, it will suit my purpose, and I have found a way to do that, thanks to help from this site.

When this unit, which is really a nice little piece of equipment, eventually reaches its capacity, I will upgrade to a more versatile one.

Thank you both for your input.

Happy Trails.

Note that the 50LM is one of the models that supports only one via point in the active route. So you can set a destination, press "Go", then use the method described by jgermann to add one intermediate point.

Some of the basic models allow you to repeat this step and add multiple via points, but unfortunately I think the 50LM allows only one via point in the active route.