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Planning Your First Route

This guide walks you through planning your first safe route with VanRoute. You'll learn to enter destinations, review hazards, and save routes for your journey.

Before You Start​

Ensure you have:

Step 1: Open Route Planner​

  1. Open VanRoute
  2. Tap the Route tab at the bottom of the screen
  3. You'll see the route planning screen with:
    • Start location (your current location by default)
    • Destination field (empty)
    • Map view of your current area

Step 2: Enter Your Destination​

Option A: Search for a Location​

  1. Tap the Destination field
  2. Type the name of your destination:
    • Town/city name (e.g., "Byron Bay, NSW")
    • Address (e.g., "123 Main St, Brisbane")
    • Landmark (e.g., "Uluru")
    • Campground name
  3. Select from the search results

Option B: Choose from Map​

  1. Tap and hold on the map at your destination
  2. A pin will appear with location details
  3. Tap Set as Destination

Option C: Use Saved Places​

  1. Tap the Destination field
  2. Tap Saved Places tab
  3. Select a previously saved location

Step 3: Review Route Options​

VanRoute will calculate routes and display:

Route Overview​

  • Distance - Total kilometers
  • Estimated Time - Driving time (excluding stops)
  • Hazard Warnings - Number of hazards on route
  • Fuel Estimate - Estimated fuel consumption

Multiple Routes​

If available, VanRoute shows up to 3 route options:

  • Recommended - Safest route for your vehicle (shown in blue)
  • Fastest - Quickest route, may have more hazards (shown in gray)
  • Alternative - Different route avoiding major hazards (shown in gray)

Tap any route to select it and see details.

Step 4: Review Hazards​

This is the most important step for safe travel.

Viewing Hazards​

The map shows hazard icons along your route:

  • 🔴 Red - Critical hazard (low clearance, very narrow)
  • 🟡 Yellow - Moderate hazard (caution required)
  • 🟢 Green - Minor hazard (awareness needed)

Hazard Details​

Tap any hazard icon to see:

  • Type - Bridge, narrow road, unsealed road, weight limit
  • Clearance - Height restriction (if applicable)
  • Location - Street name and suburb
  • Distance - How far along your route
  • Warning - Specific details and recommendations

Critical Warnings​

Pay special attention to:

Height Restrictions

  • VanRoute shows if clearance is less than your vehicle height + 30cm safety margin
  • RED warning means you must find an alternative route
  • Always verify clearance visually when approaching

Narrow Roads

  • Roads less than 3m wide may be difficult for wide vehicles
  • Check if passing places are available
  • Consider alternative routes in remote areas

Weight Limits

  • Some bridges have weight restrictions
  • Ensure your loaded weight is well below the limit
  • Look for alternative river crossings if needed

Step 5: Add Stops (Optional)​

Fuel Stops​

VanRoute can suggest fuel stops along your route:

  1. Tap Add Stop → Fuel
  2. VanRoute shows fuel stations along your route
  3. Tap a station to see:
    • Distance from current location
    • Fuel prices (NSW, QLD, VIC only)
    • Amenities (toilets, food, parking)
  4. Tap Add to Route

Tip: Add fuel stops before you drop below 1/4 tank.

Rest Areas​

Add rest stops for driver breaks:

  1. Tap Add Stop → Rest Area
  2. Browse rest areas along your route
  3. Check facilities:
    • RV/Caravan parking
    • Toilets
    • Picnic tables
    • Dump points
  4. Tap Add to Route

Tip: Plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving.

Custom Stops​

Add any location as a stop:

  1. Tap Add Stop → Custom
  2. Search for the location
  3. Tap Add to Route

Reordering Stops​

To change stop order:

  1. Tap and hold a stop in the stops list
  2. Drag to new position
  3. Release to reorder

Step 6: Adjust Route Settings​

Avoid Options​

Customize your route by avoiding:

  • Toll Roads - Avoid toll roads where possible
  • Unsealed Roads - Avoid gravel and dirt roads
  • Ferries - Avoid ferry crossings

Toggle these on/off in Route Settings.

Route Preferences​

Set preferences for:

  • Fastest vs Safest - Prefer faster routes or safer routes
  • Fuel Economy - Optimize for fuel efficiency
  • Scenic Routes - Prefer scenic highways (when available)

Step 7: Start Navigation​

When you're ready to begin:

  1. Review hazard warnings one final time
  2. Tap Start Navigation
  3. VanRoute will:
    • Show turn-by-turn directions
    • Alert you to upcoming hazards
    • Track your progress
    • Update fuel estimates

During Navigation​

Voice Guidance

  • Turn-by-turn voice instructions
  • Warnings before hazards
  • Distance to next turn

Map View

  • Your location shown with blue dot
  • Route shown in blue line
  • Next turn highlighted
  • Hazards shown as icons

Upcoming Hazards

  • Alert 5km before major hazards
  • Alert 1km before moderate hazards
  • Visual and audio warnings

Step 8: Save Your Route​

To save a route for future reference:

  1. Tap the ⋮ menu button
  2. Tap Save Route
  3. Enter a route name (e.g., "Sydney to Byron Bay")
  4. Tap Save

Saved routes can be:

  • Accessed from Profile → Saved Routes
  • Shared with other VanRoute users
  • Used for reverse journeys (swap start/end)

Example: Sydney to Byron Bay​

Let's plan a route from Sydney to Byron Bay:

Route Details​

  • Distance: ~770km
  • Time: ~9 hours (excluding stops)
  • Hazards: 12 warnings along route

Key Hazards to Watch​

  1. Pacific Highway, Hexham - Bridge clearance 4.2m

    • ⚠️ Warning for vehicles >3.9m
    • Alternative route via Newcastle Link Rd

  2. Narrow section near Woolgoolga - Road width 2.8m

    • ⚠️ Caution for wide vehicles
    • Slow down, check for oncoming traffic

  3. Weight limit, Clarence River - Bridge limit 42.5 tonnes

    • ✅ Safe for most caravans
    • Verify your GCM is below limit

Fuel Stop: Caltex Hexham (km 150)

  • Current price: $1.85/L
  • Facilities: Toilets, food, large parking area

Rest Stop: Woolgoolga Rest Area (km 430)

  • Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, ocean views
  • RV parking available

Lunch Stop: Ballina (km 680)

  • Multiple food options
  • Fuel available
  • Tourist information center

Total Journey​

  • Driving: 9 hours
  • Fuel stops: 2 × 15 mins = 30 mins
  • Rest breaks: 3 × 15 mins = 45 mins
  • Lunch: 45 mins
  • Total time: ~11 hours

Tips for First-Time Route Planning​

Plan Ahead​

  • Plan routes the night before departure
  • Download offline maps if available
  • Check weather forecasts
  • Verify campground bookings

Add Buffer Time​

  • Add 20% extra time for unexpected delays
  • Plan arrival before dark
  • Account for roadworks and traffic

Verify Hazards​

  • Always visually verify bridge clearances
  • Slow down for narrow sections
  • Trust your judgment - if it looks too tight, find alternative

Keep Updated​

  • VanRoute updates hazards regularly
  • Check for new warnings before departure
  • Road conditions can change (construction, weather)

Stay Alert​

  • VanRoute is a guide, not a substitute for careful driving
  • Watch for hazard warning signs
  • If in doubt, stop and assess

Common Questions​

Why is my route different from Google Maps?​

Google Maps doesn't consider:

  • Vehicle height restrictions
  • Narrow roads unsuitable for large vehicles
  • Weight limits on bridges
  • Caravan-specific hazards

VanRoute's routes are optimized for your specific vehicle.

Can I use VanRoute offline?​

Currently, VanRoute requires internet for:

  • Route calculation
  • Map display
  • Fuel price updates

Offline maps coming soon!

What if I miss a turn?​

VanRoute will automatically:

  • Recalculate your route
  • Find the safest way back to original route
  • Update hazard warnings

How accurate are fuel estimates?​

Fuel estimates are based on:

  • Your vehicle's consumption rate
  • Route terrain and elevation
  • Weather conditions (wind)

Actual consumption may vary by ±15%.

Troubleshooting​

"No route found"​

This may mean:

  • Destination is inaccessible for your vehicle
  • No safe routes available
  • Location is off-road or private property

Try:

  • Choose nearby alternative destination
  • Adjust vehicle dimensions if incorrect
  • Check "Avoid unsealed roads" is off

"Too many hazards"​

If the route shows many red hazards:

  • Review each hazard carefully
  • Consider alternative destination or route
  • Verify your vehicle dimensions are correct
  • Some routes may not be suitable for large vehicles

Route calculation is slow​

Route calculation depends on:

  • Internet speed
  • Route complexity
  • Server load

Wait up to 30 seconds for complex routes.

Next Steps​

Now that you can plan routes:

Safety Reminder​

VanRoute provides information to help plan safe routes, but you are ultimately responsible for:

  • Verifying all clearances visually
  • Driving safely and within your skill level
  • Following all traffic rules and road signs
  • Using common sense and caution

Road conditions can change due to weather, construction, or other factors. Always stay alert and drive safely.

Ready to explore Australia safely? Start planning your adventure! 🚐🛣️