Create a Route Using Favorites as Waypoints?

Yes, you can create a multipoint route on the 2x5 series nuvi as the active route, but you can't save it for later recall.

To create a multipoint route, select your final destination and press GO. Once the route is calculated and you are in navigation mode, press Menu, Where To, Favorites. Select your first waypoint and press Go. You will get a prompt asking if it is a new destination or a via point. Select via. Repeat this, adding each waypoint in order from first to last until you have your complete route.

Again, you need to realize this is for the active route only. On the 2x5 you can't save, edit, reorder the via points or import a multipoint route from another source.

That's exactly how I used to do it on my ancient Nuvi 350.

I still use this process on my old 255 as recently as last week for my east coast trip

It works, but it takes a few minutes to setup. I found I need to have proper satellite reception to do this so I can't always do it ahead of time easily.

If you cannot reorder points added to your route as you can with some other models, it might take a bit of experimentation. You may find that after you select your destination and then begin to add Favorites, you may need to add them in order starting either with the one closest to the destination or closest to the starting point. One may work better than the other.

I'm not familiar with the menus on the 255W, but I think it is about the same vintage as my 750. It offered a choice when selecting points to add to a route to display only the choices that were near the defined route. If this option is available on the 255W, it will reduce the number of Favorites offered and is helpful if you have quite a few Favorites. If memory still serves me, I think the "along my route" included 10-15 miles on either side of the route.

As the OP states "From favorites as waypoints".

There is no need to have satellite reception for that. I used to use one of my way-points further than I intended to drive that day or time and then from existing way-points create via points to create a "route".

This is a method I used on my Nuvi 265 for long trips in the past.In your case you want to use favorites. First connect GPS to computer.Go to the Garmi drive and click on it.Now click GPX folder.Right click on Current.gpx file and save it on your computer some place you can go back to and find the file. Now go to this FAQ (link no longer available) and start with 2 on the list and use favorite in place of custom poi. Open your current.gpx file in Extra Poi Editor that you saved on your computer http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor. Now go through the list and delete the ones not needed.Add your address to EPE if that will be your start point.Now continue on with number 3 and complete the steps.Save and change to something in line with the trip.

This takes a little time but if will give you what you want.Hopefully EPE still preforms this process.Have not used it for some time.

With all due respect, but that is way too complicated, not necessary and is not feasible on the road.

As I used to do on my 350.
Using the GPS select a waypoint (Favorite if you will) where you want to go. Now select another favorite you wish to use and the GPS will probably ask you if you want to use it as a via point. Do that again and again until you have your route set up. No computer and no satellite reception required.

If you stop somewhere do NOT turn the GPS off because if I remember right it will not save this !

I have used the process for cross coutry trips when I used my 265 with no problems.Used the vias for around town or short trips.The 255 and 265 had a undocumented feature of being able to add more then one VIA at a time.I would only recommend this process for a long planned trip.I spent as much as 30 days on the road at a time.Problem was solved once I got my Nuvi 2597.

The only problem with the vias as you posted is once you turn if off the game is over.Then you have to start from scratch.Well known the battery life is limited if you leave it on.

This is a very workable solution for me. I appreciate the tip!

Now, being perfectly honest with you all, I have not reviewed the state-of-the-art Garmins in years. Am I to understand that current models facilitate what I am trying to do here?

And please do not take this next question as anything other than uneducated curiosity.

With the various mapping programs available for smart phones, what is Garmin producing that is a compelling alternative, that makes you want to spend money for a stand-alone product?

Thanks!

My now ancient Nuvi 855 has routing capabilities and I believe all other newer automotive Garmin GPS's can do routes. LOL
Maybe I'm wrong there.

Any nuvi with the Trip Planner feature will support multipoint routes. And unlike your 2x5 nuvi, you can save, edit and recall previously entered routes. You can also import routes from a computer using a route planning tool such as Garmin's free BaseCamp.

As to your question about standalone GPS vs Smartphone app, it is a matter of opinion and personal preference. It has been discussed many many times in this forum, so just do a little searching and you will find much informed advice and opinion on the topic.

I will do that! Thanks. And, thanks to all for the tips here.