I have tried both aaireland and viamichelin sites for directions, distance and driving times for our planned trip to Ireland. Anyone have any experience with these sites? I was wondering if they calculate the extra driving time that I keep hearing about or if I should add extra time onto the info they're giving me. Thanks
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
No software can allow for stops. Nor can adding X percent for stops result in anything meaninful. Stops are stops -- plug them in youself based on what you have in mind.
Automatically adding any factor to any software is ludicrous. Both google and michelin are fairly accurate for distance. Michelin is pretty good for highway tolls. Both can stink for times -- in both directions, depending where you are. I have no experience with aaireland, but just looked at it and feel that the above comments might apply equally.
Except for spurts on the spokes of the motorways leading into the Dublin beltway (M50, maybe?), I can only figure on averaging about thirty-five mph in Ireland.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
ViaMichelin is nowhere close to "spot on", but it's the site I usually go to for advice because it's easy to use - simple to change your routing to see how that would affect times. I add about 25% to the estimated drive times. And as Ed said, no one can estimate times for stops - bathrooms, photo ops, sheep, or that cute little pub or shop that you want to check out.
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
As Nancy said - even with the best sites (the two you found)add about 25% minimum. 50% with Google, Mapquest, etc.
The roads can also be very hard on your back and neck, as speeds are high, and they're a bit bouncy - take advantage of ferries and freeways when you can! =)