Google Maps will show most fuel efficient route

[Hersbird]

I think the problem will be when large volumes of cars get directed into quite neighborhood streets more designed for local traffic, not thru traffic. Kids out playing hockey or B-ball in the street, lorsof joggers and people out strolling. Suddenly it's I-5 because google defaults and says you save gas crossing these neighborhoods at 25 mph. Sadly the traffic won't go 25 mph becuase they still want the fastest route or will make whatever they are driving into the fastest route.

This is why so many new developments don't connect with the surrounding developments in a way to even allow thru traffic.

[ksa8907]

I use gps a lot, I live in a new area and travel a fair bit for work. It is completely infuriating when Google routes me through traffic hell because it was 2 minutes faster instead of the 5 mile longer route with little traffic and fewer stops.

Or the way it routes me back and forth on side streets to get to a destination instead of the long straight roads and one or two turns...

More relaxing drive, I'm ready

[Galvatron1]

Google maps most fuel-efficient route is finally here! Is today the 1st day of the rollout? 1st time I’ve seen it!

[Piotrsko]

See my previous statement about the efficiency of google maps, also the NPR article about them having to do 3 point turns on a dead end street to exit a one way road.

[Ecky]

First time I've seen it was today.

[JSH]

I noticed this popped up during my recent vacation. I didn't really have a chance to use it because on the big Island of Hawaii there is generally only one route.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by JSH

I noticed this popped up during my recent vacation. I didn't really have a chance to use it because on the big Island of Hawaii there is generally only one route.

Headed there on the 10th. We're staying on the Kona side. Flights were $165 round trip, so we couldn't pass it up (already cancelled 2 prior trips due to Covid restrictions). Hopefully there'll be pilots to fly the plane by then.

What are your recommendations? I hear Two Step is good snorkeling.

[JSH]

You did better than us - we paid $270 round trip on United. Those weren't the cheapest flights but they had better times. We also flew exit rows or were upgraded to first class based on my status. United required all their employees to be vaccinated months ago so no worries on staff shortages when the new OSHA rules go into effect.

Recommendations:
1. Go see the lava flowing in Hawaii National Park. Go after dark so either early morning or after sunset. We did both and sunrise was better but you will need to be there by about 4:30 am. This is why we went to Hawaii - we booked the trip right after the volcano started erupting again at the end of Sept.



2. Go up to the top of Mauna Kea for sunset. Warning it will be about 30 degrees and windy up there so pack accordingly or take one of the tours that provided big Carhart jackets. (4WD with low range required - there is a checkpoint)

3. Snorkeling. There isn't much good snorkeling left in Hawaii. The reefs are dead due to high water temperatures with only 20 - 40% live corral left. Between the water temps and tourist touching and stepping on the reefs there isn't much left close to shore so the better spots left aren't really accessible for snorkeling from the beach.

Yes, 2-step is a popular spot as is Captain Cook Bay. We paid $100 each for a commercial tour to get out to Captain Cook on this trip and it was the best snorkeling I've seen on the big island (We've been 3 times in the last 3 years) but it is still nothing like 30 years ago when you could find amazing reefs off just about any beach. You could also rent kayaks and paddle over to Captain Cook.

Just a warning - if there are high surf warnings the beaches will close. That happened to us on one trip and there were no beaches open our entire trip.

4. National park sites for native Hawaiian artifacts. The best one is next to 2-step and they get a little redundant. We visited them all the trip were the beaches were closed.

5. South point isn't worth the trip. It isn't the most southern point in the USA as claimed and the cliff jumping platform is closed off. It was just a bunch of fisherman when we visited last week. We stopped by on the drive from Hilo to Kona.

Reef status
https://news.mongabay.com/2021/01/a-...g-coral-reefs/

If you want some more info shoot me a PM.

[redpoint5]

Lava is about as high as it goes on my list. Didn't know it was flowing now... any idea on the likelihood of it continuing for another 3 weeks? I know nothing about the frequency of these activities.

Good info on a checkpoint up the mountain. I'd have tried to get a rental sedan up there if it was an advisory and not a checkpoint.

Very much looking forward to kayaking so hopefully I can fit snorkeling into that activity. I'm SCUBA certified too, so good diving is on my list but I haven't looked into it yet. It's a selfish activity since nobody else going is certified.

Nice shot of the lava. Always thought it would be neat to see lava flowing underwater. Maybe when I retire.

[Piotrsko]

Afaik, lava has been flowing for a couple of years now, Queens bath and the housing development are gone, I don't think it will stop in the next 3 weeks. The north road up the mountain is probably open, not so sure of the south way up. I do know the south part of the highway around the island doesn't exist. Used to be a really interesting lava island campground about 5 miles south of the park that had ohala berries by the bowl full.