Review by Loves Books in MD

The best way to describe Microsoft Streets & Trips is to say it’s like having an internet mappimg site (like MapQuest.com) running on your computer so you don’t need to be connected to the internet.

You enter the start and end points, along with any places you wish to stop at along the way. S&T will then calculate the route. It also gives you estimated drive times. One nice feature is that if you are connected to the internet while you’re planing your trip, it will go out and get updated road construction and detour info. It uses this info to determine the best route. You can also find places(hotels, restaurants, etc) near your route. Once you’re happy with the route, you can print a map and/or driving instructions.

If you have a laptop, add the GPS (plugs into the USB port on your computer) and it will act like the type of GPS that works in your car. Your laptop talks just like other GPS units, telling you where and when to turn. While it works just as well as my Garmin, I just don’t have room for a laptop in the front seat of my car (if I have a passenger). One major advantage over standard auto GPS units is that maps and database in Streets & trips are updated pretty frequently and it’s free. You update over the internet just like any other software. My Garmin is updated every year (and at a cost of about $75.00). Score one for Microsoft!nnAll in all, I will use it at home for a trip planner but still use my Garmin in the car.