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Old 07-15-2018, 06:37 PM   #1
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Mapping elevation changes for travel

Does anyone have any recommendations for checking a route for big hill climbs and descents?

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Old 07-15-2018, 06:38 PM   #2
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We will be driving from Nashville to north Idaho in 3 weeks

Route is Kansas City, rapid city SD, somewhere in Montana, Idaho
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Old 07-15-2018, 06:50 PM   #3
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i don't think you will hit a hill until montana

i-90 thru western montana is beautiful! lots of up and downs up to Coeur d'alene. bozeman pass and pipestone pass are probably the 2 biggest climbs on I-90, then smaller stuff towards idaho.
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Old 07-15-2018, 08:33 PM   #4
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Will you be taking highway 12 from Lolo MT into Idaho? It's been about 5 years since I took that highway through the Nez Perce Clearwater forest. It's a beautiful place. We stopped at the White House campground for lunch. The river was wide and slow there; the kids had a great time splashing in the water.

And I'd love to learn a better way for planning elevation changes -- it's a pain to pan through google maps counting topographic lines!
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Old 07-15-2018, 08:51 PM   #5
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Google maps?

I haven’t tried but Google maps might have something like that they have everything else. And I never thought of looking into the route you would take in the inclines and things that would be hard on buses. Good question though you made me curious to see what I can fine .
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Old 07-15-2018, 09:09 PM   #6
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I could be wrong but I believe some of the dedicated trucker GPS systems indicate steep grades along planned routes.


Anyone?
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Old 07-15-2018, 09:21 PM   #7
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I use the Good Sam trip planner - I am not sure what level member you need to be for that - but you can add step grades into your route.

Quote:
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I could be wrong but I believe some of the dedicated trucker GPS systems indicate steep grades along planned routes.


Anyone?
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Old 07-16-2018, 06:16 AM   #8
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There is a website for that but don't know the address.
I found the web site it's here
https://www.flattestroute.com

I'm sure they have gotten better since I retired but, none of the "truck" routing units I had said anything about altitude or grades. They would tell you altitude where you currently are.
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Old 07-16-2018, 06:17 AM   #9
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Old 07-16-2018, 07:17 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mgulley82 View Post
Does anyone have any recommendations for checking a route for big hill climbs and descents?
I've not looked for such a thing so have no real suggestions. That said, Google Earth displays elevation (bottom right) as you move the cursor along a road. Maybe that is better than nothing??
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Old 07-16-2018, 07:20 AM   #11
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Google Maps will display an elevation profile of any route selected if you pick the "bike" option. It isn't too detailed for long trips, but you can zoom in by changing the route and get more detail. It doesn't give any grade information, but you get a decent idea.
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Old 07-16-2018, 11:06 AM   #12
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flattestroute.com occasionally has very strange results: I know of some flat stretches that they say are 10% grades. Likely better info than nothing, but I'm not so sure I trust them.
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Old 07-16-2018, 04:32 PM   #13
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Google Maps will display an elevation profile of any route selected if you pick the "bike" option. It isn't too detailed for long trips, but you can zoom in by changing the route and get more detail. It doesn't give any grade information, but you get a decent idea.


I have found this useful, but only works on a computer (not mobiles device) in my experience.

Had a bit of a scare just today in Montana coming down a grade that had no markings but was at least 6% maybe more and 2.5 miles long. Started it doing about 50 and was rolling smoke off the brakes by the time I realized I needed 2nd gear (I have a 6 speed) to have any shot at compression braking.

Got the thing slowed down but didn’t need the smell or stress!
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Old 07-16-2018, 05:09 PM   #14
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Saw this on another thread - hope it helps at least a bit
https://www.mountaindirectory.com/
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Old 07-19-2018, 06:45 PM   #15
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Does anyone have any recommendations for checking a route for big hill climbs and descents?
I spent HOURS doing my trip before I found out that if you tell Google maps that you are BIKING it gives you the elevation and grade on the maps. D'oh!!!!
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Old 07-19-2018, 09:10 PM   #16
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Saw this on another thread - hope it helps at least a bit
https://www.mountaindirectory.com/
I just purchased the western version of this and am quite pleased. it doesn't give you ridiculous detail, but is more like a trusted trucker pal telling you what to watch out for. Well worth the $17 I spent.
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Old 07-19-2018, 11:16 PM   #17
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Mountain smountain!

just slow down and enjoy the ride. turn on the 4 ways and sit back and relax. if you can't drive hills in a truck, you need practice.
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Old 07-20-2018, 07:59 AM   #18
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Mountain smountain!

just slow down and enjoy the ride. turn on the 4 ways and sit back and relax. if you can't drive hills in a truck, you need practice.
I plan on slowing down and using the four-ways. I also recognize my need for more practice. I just want to get my practice on the bunny slope!

I thought it would be prudent to avoid Monteagle Pass and its cousins until I *do* have the practice. And finding out from a book that a hill is out of my league is safer than finding out halfway down.
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