Save a trip so I can repeat it??

Most of the Garmin devices has a feature that allows you view your trip log on a computer. See https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=7dtWt6yqQY1xnZXU3BQjMA... .Other topics on Trip Log see https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?productID=524667&searchQue...

A better solution is to learn some basic trip/route planning and use the tools Garmin provides wit its BaseCamp product.

The basic steps are to enter the start and end points and display the route suggested on the map. You can zoom in on areas where the route varies from your preferred choices and put in a waypoint to force the route onto your roads. These routes can then be transferred and stored on your unit to be recalled when needed,

I'd suggest you check and see what the settings are in your GPS.
You can choose fastest or shortest route. I'll bet you are set for fastest route. If you choose shortest your GPS may just do what your paper maps are doing.
Just my guess based on what two different Garmins have done to me by routing me off an interstate going through some town and the rejoining the interstate. The interstate was doing a long sweep and going through town was a straight line.

To OP:
Why mess with a good thing, let the wife route you, since she saves time in route. AND the added benefit is that you can tell her she's right because it doesn't look like she believes the GPS is the right way to do it anyhow.

You're a wise man, KenSny!

Good suggestions and comments. Thank you

a couple YouTube videos where people extract the TRACK log from the device and import it into Basecamp. You can then clean up and fine-tune the route. People share rides they like using this method. It's a bit tedious and requires the use of Basecamp.

The following works on my nuvi 2797. It may or may not work on your drivesmart 50.

Start basecamp and plug nuvi into computer (or plug in nuvi and start basecamp).
Trip will show up in basecamp in Nuvi|internal storage as a track called Active Log.
Copy (or Send) Active Log to some other list in "My Collection".
Then go there and rightclick|Create route from track.
Rename created route to "Wife's Perfect Route".
Route can then be sent to the nuvi.

...keep the little woman happy. Happy wife, happy life. (Word to the wise.)

As several posts suggest, your wife's route can be created in several ways using Basecamp. My preference is to use Basecamps Trip Planner feature. Build a copy of your Wife's route, save it and export it to your GPS. The route will be stored in the GPS and can be recalled whenever needed.

On my Drive 51 you must have the "Travel History" box (under Settings/Device) checked to show MyTrends, Where I've Been, and Trip Log, to record so you can use that info in BaseCamp.

A lot of good feedback. I have plugged in garmin and cannot find track with basecamp. I will gather that as KenSny has said, travel history box is not checked. Nothing to be saved this time. I will check all this for our next tirp.

maddog67, you are right with happy wife, happy life. I totally live by this saying and it is true.

As for wife navigating, She was not with me on this last trip. Luckily I had her maps but it would be better if I can get her exact trip into the garmin. I will try to recreate the route in basecamp and transfer it. This is a good project to play with.

Thanks for everybodies suggestions and help.
This groups is great !!!!

Not surprised. Garmin wanted me to get off the interstate when over 100 miles from destination even though the interstate went in that direction. Didn't get off the interstate and saved me over 40 min. of driving. I have always said, a GPS will get you there, but not always by the best route.

I have found the perfect route in my garmin, did the create route and renamed it. Now, where do I save it to? Garmin or micro sdcard and finally, how or where does this route show up so I can click on it so i get the drierction from my garmin?

I have saved it to a sd card but I cannot find it in my garmin. I think this is that last part of the puzzle.Im almost there

If you sent it from BaseCamp to the card it will already be in the correct place and you should find it listed in the Trip Planner app on your device.

If you copied the .gpx file to the card yourself it needs to be in the Garmin/GPX folder.