How long does a ride really take vs google maps estimate?

[Worroll]

I've been on some long trips, but never really paid attention. What are people's experience with how long a highway run (keep it longer than 6 hours) actually takes compared to Google maps estimate?

Like for instance, Google maps says 12 hours. You probably ride a little faster than the speed limit, but stop for gas, stretch, coffee, lunch, etc. I'm not talking scenic routes, but when you are straight traveling to go somewhere on the bike? Not counting mechanical failures, horrific traffic or overnight stops.

[nevermind]

It is pretty close. I'm usually a tad faster than the estimate unless I'm honored with a performance award somewhere along the way...

[High Country Herb]

Google is pretty accurate if you follow the speed limit on the nose (company truck). I can shave about 10 minutes from every Google hour on the bike riding in a reasonable manner.

I'm also very brief with fuel stops; I don't go inside usually, my helmet stays on, and my wallet hand is the only glove that comes off. 5 minute stops include bathroom, 3 minutes for just fuel. (My bike has a 120 mile range, so I've gotten pretty quick)

[Mr_Gone]

I've found Google Maps to be pretty close, all things considered. I'm usually riding 7-8 mph over the speed limit, and I'm only stopping for fuel every 200-250 miles (depending on how my ass feels). But my stops tend to take about 15 minutes. I fuel up, drink something to hydrate, walk around to stretch my legs. So that 15-minute break pretty much offsets any gains I've made by riding over the speed limit.

[Two Wheeled 'Tard]

Google doesn't just figure their times based on speed limits, but on trip data aggregated from millions of personal GPS units and phones. I find it's pretty spot-on for most single-day trips.

[nuttynu]

All of my trips are based on google' s direction. And they have seem to work good. Correct mile calculation & timing.

[max384]

I ride about 5-10mph over the speed limit and find that I beat Google on shorter trips where I don't need to take breaks/refuel. On longer trips I'm usually a bit slower than Google, but that's because I usually turn a fuel/rest stop into a 20ish minute break. I also stop about every 100-150 miles for fuel and a rest.

[Wreckchecker]

I'll echo the others that Google's good for the first day. After that, it tapers by day till you hit a personal version that is less.

[raebear]

It's a good estimate. I generally figure 60mph,--{ (nice even number, and as I generally am also 5-10 over posted, well except for those momentary moments of madness- on closed course sections of course.) (So to a large extent it depends on the limits where you ride and if you follow them.) } --- is what I end up making on long trips 15-30 min every couple of hours, more or less, for gas, drink and snack, take a pic. If you are making tracks on a long haul and not smelling the roses, you'll beat it by alot, out west anyways. I usually figure 400 miles 9-10 hrs with a mix of hard riding and lolly gaggin.

[John933]

I use Google map's. That's half the trip, looking where you can go. Me I do it by distance. Look at 300 mile's and see where it get's me. When on the road, if the weather is good I feel good and time is on my side. I ride on to my next stop.

Always worked for me.
John933

[Mr_Gone]

Originally Posted by John933

I use Google map's. That's half the trip, looking where you can go. Me I do it by distance. Look at 300 mile's and see where it get's me. When on the road, if the weather is good I feel good and time is on my side. I ride on to my next stop.

Always worked for me.
John933

+2

This is exactly what I do. My daily mileage target is different, but that's irrelevant.

I do also use Microsoft's MapPoint, plug in a bunch of places I want to see, and let the software find the best route. But I still use Google maps a lot.

[rocker59]

Because I have to stop about 160/170 miles for fuel, it's hard to keep up with Google Maps time estimates.

For example:

Fayetteville to Santa Fe 772 mi, 11 hours 21 mins (per Google) which is something like a 68 mph overall average.

Best I've done is 12 hours, with four fuel stops, one of including a food break.

This is mostly I-40 with speed limits at 75 and traffic running about ten-over west of OKC.

775 miles in 12 hours is a 64.58 mph overall average.

Maintaining an overall average of anything over 60 mph on a motorcycle trip is hauling ass.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by John933

I use Google map's. That's half the trip, looking where you can go. Me I do it by distance. Look at 300 mile's and see where it get's me. When on the road, if the weather is good I feel good and time is on my side. I ride on to my next stop.

Always worked for me.
John933

I plan by distance, too. I usually break the legs into fuel stops.

I can go 170 miles on a tank. All I have to decide is how many tanks I want to run through the bike that day.

One between breakfast and lunch, and one between lunch and dinner is an easy 340 mile day.

Two between each meal is a slightly tougher 680 mile day.

[achtung3]

Pretty close estimate except that when comes to Freeways in major metropolitan areas, you must allow more time.
My lesson was going thru WA state, Tacoma and north on Hwy 5. What a mess.

Good luck, Have a great ride.

[randyo]

for highway and primary route directions, I find google pretty close

back roads ? nope, I'm usually 30%-50% faster