Auto GPS - Road Classifications?
 17 years
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I have been a volunteer driver bringing folks to doctors appointments, etc for the past 8 years. I have used a variety of devices including Garmin and TomTom.
I am looking for a device that allows me to avoid routing on CLASS IV ROADS. Class IV roads are generally NOT MAINTAINED, especially in winter months. Some are pretty decent in the summers, some are not much more than abandoned logging roads.
Avoiding unpaved roads as a whole is unworkable because....
According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and other sources, Vermont has:
Paved Roads: Approximately 7,226 miles.
Unpaved (Dirt) Roads: Approximately 8,534 miles. This total includes:
Gravel: 6,077 miles
Graded Earth: 1,477 miles
Unimproved/Primitive: 280 miles
Untravelled: 700 miles
In Summary:
Vermont has a total of roughly 15,760 miles of roads statewide. The state is known for having a higher proportion of unpaved roads compared to other states in the US.
Notably, in the Northeast Kingdom region, 60% of roads are unpaved. This is where I live and work.
Any suggestions?
Not a device but
…there is a map that at least can give you some insight on the roads. See https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=2865...
There is also a menu option in most Garmin GPS units that if set avoids "Unpaved Roads – avoids unpaved roads (gravel, dirt, etc.)". See https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=KmIASsMGWn40NugVctJIz6 for the details.
John from PA
I found
My RV890, when set to RV mode using the "avoid unpaved roads" setting, takes a more stringent approach to what is considered an unpaved road. Although it does not specify Class IV roads directly, it does avoid roads that were considered acceptable by my automotive devices.
I suspect the same would be true for GPSr's designed for truck use.
Class 4 roads
Appreciate the info.
My issue is the majority of roads in my region of Vermont are unpaved so selecting AVOID UNPAVED ROADS would block most travel routes
Based on what you initially said
Appreciate the info.
My issue is the majority of roads in my region of Vermont are unpaved so selecting AVOID UNPAVED ROADS would block most travel routes
…”I am looking for a device that allows me to avoid routing on CLASS IV ROADS”. Isn’t the avoid setting in a Garmin what you wanted to do?
John from PA
Blocked Travel Routes
Appreciate the info.
My issue is the majority of roads in my region of Vermont are unpaved so selecting AVOID UNPAVED ROADS would block most travel routes
Most travel routes would be blocked. However, if the GPS has no option except to route you on an unpaved road it will. My favorite example of this is Prince Edward Island. Long-time readers may remember this example, but for those who don't....
It's free to cross the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick into Prince Edward Island. Getting off the island requires you to either pay the bridge toll, or take a ferry. If you happen to have both toll road avoidance and ferry avoidance set, the GPSr will ignore either of the route avoidance options you've set and will still route you off the island.
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams
Good point
Most travel routes would be blocked. However, if the GPS has no option except to route you on an unpaved road it will. My favorite example of this is Prince Edward Island. Long-time readers may remember this example, but for those who don't....
It's free to cross the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick into Prince Edward Island. Getting off the island requires you to either pay the bridge toll, or take a ferry. If you happen to have both toll road avoidance and ferry avoidance set, the GPSr will ignore either of the route avoidance options you've set and will still route you off the island.
Good info. Khall55, I suggest you set the unpaved avoidance, see what routes appear, then reconsider your options. I do worry, though, that Garmin's maps don't distinguish between good all-weather unpaved roads and lesser unpaved roads.
Custom Avoidances
Appreciate the info.
My issue is the majority of roads in my region of Vermont are unpaved so selecting AVOID UNPAVED ROADS would block most travel routes
…”I am looking for a device that allows me to avoid routing on CLASS IV ROADS”. Isn’t the avoid setting in a Garmin what you wanted to do?
Go to the FAQs and find "How Can I Create A Custom Avoidance?"
I appreciate that it's a tedious procedure to create a Custom Avoidance, but this may be a possibility for you, if there are not too many such roads, and if you have the patience to create the Custom Avoidances.
DriveSmart 65, NUVI2555LMT, (NUVI350 is Now Retired)