Road trip planning utility? (going to Portland)

[mattbell]

I'm using a custom google map to plan a road trip to Portland, OR in early August.  I have our route planned out, and I've been labeling points of interest along the route.  While this is a decent use of google's custom map feature, it seems clunkier than I'd like it to be.  It would be much cooler to have something that offers some more functionality, like:

- Simple adding of new locations from looking up addresses on yelp and other sites. 
- Automatically identifying good places along the route to buy gas (prices go way up in certain rural areas due to increased cost of delivery), buy groceries, and sleep. 
- Easy checking of places to visit, with routes updating accordingly. 
- Integration of hours of operation on tagged monuments/museums/parks etc, when available. 

The google maps API has been around a long time... I'm sure there's something good out there.

----

Of course, the way to get good advice on *what* to visit is still the old-fashioned way.... by asking friends.  So if you have advice, let us know!

We're planning on taking 5 from San Francisco to Portland, and 101 on the way back.  Shasta and Crater Lake are on the list.  Otherwise, it's fairly open. 

Comments

[doublefeh.livejournal.com]

If you're going by Crater Lake (and thus spending some time through Oregon east of the Cascades), I highly recommend Lava Beds National Monument. It's a little bit out of the way, but only adds ~2 hours of driving after Shasta in northern CA. It's got lava tube caves you can walk through, neat volcanic landscapes, and the site of the last of America's Indian Wars, where a couple dozen Modoc warriors held off a few hundred US Army troops for over a year.

[nasu-dengaku.livejournal.com]

Ooh, cool.

[doublefeh.livejournal.com]

Also, when it's time to cross back over the mountains, I suggest veering north and taking highway 26 that goes right by Mount Hood. I've taken both it and highway 58 (which goes through the Willamette Valley), and 26 was a much more interesting drive. It also means you get to go through the high desert around Bend, which is an interesting contrast with the rest of the drive. (58 is shorter/faster, though)

[serolynne.livejournal.com]

Those would be some kick-ass features for sure. I have my own list of other things I'd want as well :)


Also, don't forget - state gas taxes also affect the price of gas.. and what side of the state line you fill up on can make a difference too. Oh.. wait.. there is an app for that :)

[neph13.livejournal.com]

when I moved from Seattle to San Fran, we stayed the night in Ashland. That place is pretty awesome, if you enjoy theater. They do a Shakespeare festival each summer, and there are a ton of dinner theater places to go and watch plays. If you are into that sort of thing. Actors say there are two places to go when you want work...NYC and Ashland.

[neph13.livejournal.com]

oh, and you can't pump your own gas in OR either. The attendants get pissed if you try.

[radven.livejournal.com]

I've wanted a smart trip-planning app for years, and have never found anything particularly compelling. If you find a good tool, let me know.

[nasu-dengaku.livejournal.com]

Write one! I'll suggest a bunch of features. :-)

[radven.livejournal.com]

I almost did way back in 2000! I had a lot of the design and business case worked out, and was working to become an expert on mobile technology so that I would be better able to convince some investors to fund the project.

Then Palm hired me.

I've been waiting for someone else to do it right ever since. I might just have to try again and do it myself one of these days.

[peristaltor.livejournal.com]

One of my faves is the Oregon Caves, quite a bit off the beaten path, but just about the coolest cave system east of Lewis & Clark in Montana. A really windy and narrow road leads up there, so be good to your clutch.

[nasu-dengaku.livejournal.com]

Another friend recommended it too. I assume you mean *west* of Montana. :-)

[peristaltor.livejournal.com]

Compass points are overrated. ;-)

[zingkotori.livejournal.com]

I know of a pretty cool party you might be able to make it to, depending on your schedule...

[nasu-dengaku.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I'll be busy my entire time in Portland. I have to go to this damn wedding. :D