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chinagringo

Apr 18, 2010, 1:16 PM

Post #1 of 6 (3361 views)

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Route Caluclations

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Route calculations using the following should be taken with a grain of salt as pointed out by Vichil aka Hound Dog:

http://aplicaciones4.sct.gob.mx/...a&eligeIdioma=siRoute

After reading those comments, I decided to go back to our trip log from our last trip and check some of the figures on segments of our trip where we had measurable and accurate info. Naturally, one must factor in your starting point and stopping point within each point since they only provide an all encompassing point. A couple of examples:
1) Chihuahua City, Chihuahua to Zacatecas, Zacatecas - the calculator indicates 8:21 hrs driving time & our actual moving time was exactly 8:00 hrs. Since we know this portion of the trip very well - I was able to achieve a moving average of 65.3 mph and had a top speed of 98.6 mph.
2) Zacatecas to Chapala, Jalisco - the calculator indicates 4:05 hrs driving time while our actual was 4:53. Our moving average was considerably lower at 52.9 mph and our top speed went down to 90.2 mph.
3) Patzcuaro, Michoacan to San Miguel de Allende, GTO - the calculator indicates 2:45 hrs driving time while our actual was 3:55 hrs. Our moving average was 44.3 mph and top speed 83.2 mph. There were two large Federale checkpoints and some detours for construction along the way.

Note: These figures were taken from our GPS which deducts time or rather doesn't calculate time when one is stopped at a stop light or when you stop for gas or a meal. Your moving time/average are only computed when the vehicle is truly moving. It does provide you with a stopped time for the trip.

So my conclusion is that Vichil/Dog are correct and it may simply depend on what is going on in a given area.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Apr 18, 2010, 1:52 PM

Post #2 of 6 (3353 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Route Caluclations

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FYI: Vichil is not Hound Dog. She is his keeper, a thankless task assigned to a very nice lady.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

chinagringo

Apr 18, 2010, 1:59 PM

Post #3 of 6 (3344 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Route Caluclations

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Good point Rolly but we all know that the Dog has been known to sign on under the wrong account name by accident?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Hound Dog

Apr 18, 2010, 2:53 PM

Post #4 of 6 (3324 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Route Caluclations

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Route calculations using the following should be taken with a grain of salt as pointed out by Vichil aka Hound Dog:

Neil

Thanks for the compliment but Vichil is actually Hound Dogette not the Dawg. She does not consult with me except to occasionally suggest a membership in AA or the notion that I might wish to move out of the house.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Apr 18, 2010, 2:54 PM)

Reefhound

Apr 18, 2010, 3:16 PM

Post #5 of 6 (3315 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Route Caluclations

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Firsthand experience always trumps a calculated estimate but I think ANY drive time should be taken with a grain a salt, whether it comes from a website or another member. There are so many variables involved when driving in Mexico and one should not try to calculate things too precisely. Or rather, one can calculate their estimated arrival but one should be prepared for delays.

In your examples, #1 was amazingly on the money while #3 was significantly off as a percentage. I have found their times to be pretty close on the longer routes. I suspect they may be best-case scenarios and letting the user to adjust as needed.

How do the distances compare to your logs?

chinagringo

Apr 18, 2010, 4:16 PM

Post #6 of 6 (3299 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Route Caluclations

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Thank you for pointing out that I should have included the mileage.

Example 1: Estimated miles: 518.17 - actual 523.2
Example 2: Estimated miles: 247.38 - actual 259.0
Example 3: Estimated miles: 154.98 - actual 159.4

Pretty darned accurate in my book. On example 2, we had to turn off the highway to have lunch and do some mandatory shopping in Tonala.

The GPS "trip log" really makes one realize just how much stopping for lunch and other such things affects your average speed for the entire day.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM