I have heard that if you use google maps to see driving times between places in Ireland you need to add additional time. For instance if it says to drive from Dingle to Ennis it will take 2 hours 28 minutes is that the correct amount of time it would take or do I need to add additional time?
Thanks,
Kathy
First, as you probably know, the times given don't give actual time, just road time and doesn't include any stops and they assume "normal" traffic (whatever that is).
Second, some travelers reporting in here have said that, for them, at their driving speed, that the driving time took them more time than given in Google. One explanation is they were going slower than Google assumed. Another reason is they may have made stops, even just short ones, and consequently weren't really doing an "apples to apples" comparison with Google, which gives strictly road times, times that tires are rolling.
We probably only hear from the people who are complaining because they found the Google times "too fast." I doubt that we hear too much from people who found the Google times pretty accurate.
Maybe we will hear from those people now?
Absolutely, though hard to say how much. Most roads around or on the way to things you want to see are small roads, and there's trucks and buses and livestock crossings. It's not hard to see that drive taking an hour longer.
That 2 hours 28 mins is "without traffic".
On major highways (M roads) it's not an issue, save for the usual traffic hotspots around cities.
If you have a deadline (ferry, flight, etc.), then it makes sense to budget extra time. If you think you'll arrive much later than expected at a B&B, they would appreciate a phone call to say that you are still coming.
From Webmaster:
Driving: Get driving times per Google Maps
Most travelers here suggest multiplying the times given on Google Maps or Via Michelin by at least 1.25, and remember that times for stops of any type are not included in the times given on either website.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/39870
I used the Michelin website for my planning. Except for highway driving, I added about 20% to their estimate. That worked pretty well (and that did not include any time for stops along the way).
If you're trying to arrive somewhere in Ireland at a precise time, it's a good idea to leave yourself a cushion for driving surprises.
On the bright side, you can usually walk faster than the google estimates!
I've used Google and added time both here and in Europe for traffic, potty breaks, stopping for gas, meals, etc. I have also used Michelin for Europe and done the same thing. One thing you might try is using Rome2Rio -- http://www.rome2rio.com/ -- for comparison. I'd guess that all the sources will come out pretty close to each other in time, distance and route.
I've printed small sections of maps from Google and Michelin for trips, but have found a "real" detailed road map well worth the cost. I like the Michelin ones. I can also highly recommend the Streetwise maps. There is one for Dublin if you are going to be there.
You can get maps here in the Shop Online section, from Amazon, from some bookstores and sometimes from AAA.
I drive around California using Google Maps and find the times accurate. For trip planning I would be confident using those times. I would never cut it close to those times if I had to drive in traffic in a new area and find parking and get my luggage, to catch a flight (for example). Naturally I'd pad the time for whatever I could think of.
I've used Google maps to plan routes for 2 trips in Ireland and found their times to be a reasonable estimate of what it took me. I found the same on trips in the UK and Spain. I also found the "street view" very useful for planning, it gave me a se3nse of what to expect on some of the smaller roads.
