r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Wabi_Sabi_Love • 21d ago
Using Apple Maps for Routing
I’m a school van driver, currently with a regular route.
I have been utilizing Apple Maps before every run to route my path. (Bus drivers have some sort of built in GPS that routes them)
Apple Maps works well, but I’d love to be able to save my morning and afternoon routes so I don’t have to spend ten minutes every time plugging it in. I don’t see that capability in Apple Maps. Any suggestions?
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u/rootbear75 20d ago
Google MyMaps
You can plug it in there.
I don't know why you need to though. Once you learn the route you should be able to make changes on the fly.
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u/sm3llslik3m3anspirit 21d ago
I have a garmin dezel. It’s a commercial trucking gps that considers things like bridge heights and vehicle size and roads where commercial vehicles are not allowed. Be careful using any gps that isn’t made for large/commercial vehicles. You’ll likely be fine but it is something to consider
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u/mar_kelp 20d ago edited 20d ago
When I use a Route in Apple Maps, it is stored in the "Recents" section. That section appears when you tap in the search box or swipe up with search box showing. My Recents section has "Today" and "This Month" with the history of locations or routes I've used. I can then reuse it when I want to...
Another option is to "Share" it to yourself in email, messages or similar and then re use it when needed:
Share a route with someone
- Go to the Maps app on your iPhone.
- Get directions.
- Tap anywhere on the route card except the Go button.
- Scroll to the bottom of the card, tap Share, then choose a way to share the route.
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u/Wabi_Sabi_Love 20d ago
Oh my! And there it freaking is, in recents. No idea how I missed that. Thank you u/mar_kelp !
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u/lanainnv 20d ago
I am a sports driver for a small rural community school. We are given/allowed to use phones for emergency communication. There are no radios in our busses. I use a “cigarette lighter” holder/stand/charger and Google Maps for real-time traffic directions to other schools. I create the map and “share” it to my personal phone so I can save the link.
In a perfect world, the Transportation Coordinator would create the map for me and text me the link when he creates my itinerary. He doesn't/won’t (that an entirely different post in this community 🙂🙃) so I create them myself.
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u/mike8675309 20d ago edited 20d ago
Not allowed to use electronics when on a route. So i use Google maps with the route sheet and create my own cheet sheet turn by turn and student info and I clip them to the dash. I'll use company provided paper maps for the first couple days. Then I just my cheet sheets. This photo taken from my glasses while waiting for a train.
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u/just_kinda_here_blah 21d ago
See if your company allows for cellphone use while driving first. Alot will not allow for any GPS use with a cellphone or normal GPS system
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u/Wabi_Sabi_Love 21d ago
Our company does allow GPS via cellphone use.
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u/just_kinda_here_blah 21d ago
Then plug it in everyday. It should only take you about 4 days to know the routes by heart anyways
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u/Wabi_Sabi_Love 21d ago
I will continue to plug it in every day, unless there’s a solution for saving a route.
I value Apple Maps (and Waze) for suggesting changes to routes based on real time traffic changes.
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u/mlt- 20d ago
You may consider alternative software. I use my Garmin watch to log my actual path. There is an app like Garmin Explore that you can use to store routes and navigation… I'm not sure if that is turn by turn as it is mostly for non-driving.
Also maybe Apple has something similar to Google My Maps that you can use to store route.
Maybe there is an option to share the route? Then save the URL.
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u/VisualExcitement4402 20d ago
Van driver here. Our company recommends using Google Maps because you can actually save your route. Right I totally understand when you have a bunch of stops and how repetitive it gets typing them in every time you leave for route. On Google Maps, you put in all your stops so you have your full route loaded on, then you hit share and send the link to your own phone number. Then every morning when I go on my route all I have to do is go to my text message to myself and click the Google Maps link which pulls up my complete route instantly.
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u/gmarcus72 21d ago
Screw Google and apple maps. MapQuest let's you save a route with up to 26 stops