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Author Topic: Trip Planner for fuel stops Post a Reply Back to Topics
hatfig2
Rookie Author
Arkansas

Posts:7
Points:640
Joined:Jul 2011
Message Posted: Jul 12, 2011 11:13:17 AM
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I have just started using this site and had this idea. Feel free to add your thoughts on anything I left out or you feel would improve it. I would also like to know if any one knows how I could work on making this a reality, or if it already exists.

I think it would be nice to incorporate the assets of the site to make a program that will help you plan your trips. For this program you would need to be able to input your vehicle type (like on the Trip Cost Calculator), how much fuel you have, how low you like to run your tank before fuelling, how often you want to take breaks (and where you want to break if you know), and your route. This program could also assist you in mapping the best route. The best route could be; the fastest, the shortest distance, the one predicted to get the best gas milage (based on: length, elevations, speeds, towns, stops, exc.), or just the most scenic. With this information and the Gas prices maps it could map out where you should stop for gas based on the best results.

Thank you for reading my idea, and for any input you have provided.
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redcoral
Champion Author Ontario

Posts:1,718
Points:323,275
Joined:Jan 2012
Message Posted: Jan 15, 2012 9:08:29 PM
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I think the Trip Cost Calculator has the potential to be a great feature, if it would work properly and use realistic fuel economy figures. Firstly, there should be the option to exclude particular brands or conditions (members only / no credit cards) from the stations used for fuel stops. Secondly, nobody really gets the rated fuel economy on their cars in the winter or during normal (non-hypermiling) driving. There is the ability to manually change the fuel economy (and tank range) used for the calculator, but there should also be pull down menus to set the estimated fuel economy for a vehicle based on driving style (normal, aggressive accelerator, generally aggressive, speeder) and weather conditions (dry, wet, snow, warm, very cold, etc.) or at least a way to account for extra fuel useage when using snow tyres.
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Scrapheap
Champion Author Virginia

Posts:14,524
Points:2,354,830
Joined:Sep 2006
Message Posted: Jul 12, 2011 11:51:29 AM
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While not nearly as extensive as your proposal, there is the trip cost calculator. This can be found under the Home and Gas Prices tabs. Personally, I don't find it to be particularly useful and prefer to look at the gas price maps before I leave for a trip.

[Edited by: Scrapheap at 7/12/2011 11:52:47 AM EST]
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