How to Plan the Shortest Route
- 1). Ask for directions from locals. They will know the area better than you do. These residents will also know of any shortcuts and routes that might not be printed or displayed on a map. Ensure you ask politely and positively and they should be more than willing to help -- make sure you also allow time for the other person to think because they may need to refresh their memory before sending you on your way.
- 2). Use a printed map to plot the shortest route. Look between your start point and destination and search for any roads that point directly to where you want to go. Straight roads will also be the shortest because they don't waste road winding back and forth through corners. Highways should also take you into the center of most cities fairly directly, saving you driving miles and miles around the city's edges and one-way systems.
- 3). Map the shortest route by using an online map application. Popular interactive maps such as Google Maps and Map Quest are actually capable of plotting routes between two or three markers and calculating the shortest distance route for you. Simply navigate to the map site and enter your start point and destination -- then click on the "Directions" or "Direct" button to see the shortest route. Some application let you click and drag road markers to avoid certain areas and can also tell you how much the journey will cost in gas.
- 4). Plan ahead by checking the traffic and weather reports for the day you travel. Although direct routes may seem like the shortest way from A to B, rush-hour traffic or road accidents can slow you down considerably. Harsh weather conditions can also make smaller country roads impossible to drive. Check your travel conditions by using an online warning website or by tuning into the local radio stations as you drive.
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