Google Maps

[jkrijt]

How accurate are the distances and travel times in google maps for Morocco.
Is it accurate enough for a good trip planning, considering the real road conditions (avoiding highways) and other circumstances ?

[Peter Girling]

Hi Jan,

Travel times are fairly accurate on the major roads only - autoroutes, etc. but are very optimistic once you get onto single carriageway.

Also, you'll find that some pistes are not covered and Google Maps will route you via tarmac.

You'll also need to factor in weather conditions so I tend to use maps and base travelling times on my usual average speed for highway, minor road and piste.

Happy trails,

Peter

[Endurodude]

Originally Posted by Peter Girling

You'll also need to factor in weather conditions so I tend to use maps and base travelling times on my usual average speed for highway, minor road and piste.

Not wishing to hijack, but being very interested in the OP, what would your average speed be on highways, minor roads and pistes? I know my own highway speeds, and could use this to work out my own leisurely pace!

Also, what maps would you / anyone else recommend? I currently use Freytag and Berndt for Europe.

[Peter Girling]

Hi,

Autoroute - 100kph allowing for tolls, fuel, etc.
Major roads - dual carriageway - 80kph
Minor roads - single carriageway - 60 kph
Piste - 40 kph

Hope that helps,

Peter

[Chris Scott]

I've tried them all and the best maps I find are the huge Michelin to look at and the double sided plastic RK-H to use (+ Olaf in the satnav). More here.

Google is also great for planning, making your own track logs and digging up new pistes. Distances (using: 'My places' > 'Follow a line along roads') and wpts more than accurate enough.

Travel times on backroads - as Peter says - usually underestimated.

Ch

[priffe]

New Google Maps is just splendid, no need for navigator except on piste
I use it parallel with the old GM (when offline)

[Endurodude]

So I'm at the planning stage, and have got around to thinking about distances per day (and wanting to see the country and not just cane through it!). Looking at the above posts, which state that on Major roads Google is accurate (ish) in terms of distance / times, how far would you feel is feasible to travel in an average day? For guidance, in Europe I generally potter along at no more than 70mph, stop fairly regularly (food, drink, site see) and generally get through around 160 miles a day. I like this distance, as it allows me to get to places, BUT I feel like I've actually experienced the country through which I pass.

What would be a good guide in terms of Morocco? Can I do the same kind of distance on good (main) roads? Would I be better to limit it to between 50-100 on tracks? Can someone with experience offer guidance?!

[Peter Girling]

The only time you'll be able to potter at 70mph is on the autoroute, slower on single carriageway.

50-150 miles per day is fair on piste depending on the surface and how hard you want to ride. On flat surfaces like Lac Iriki you'll be flying along. If the lake is wet you'll have to take the rocky track to the north and you'll be down to 20mph or less in places.

there's no point in trying to do too much as you'll miss loads and be very tired. Just allow plenty time and then anything left over is a bonus.

Peter

[Endurodude]

Sounds like a plan - thanks!

[Endurodude]

Sort of linked with this post's idea of judging distances / using various maps to plan routes, I was wondering how frequently I would be able to find fuel around Ouarzazate / Er Rachidia in the high Atlas? Once at Er Rachidia, I'm planning on heading north towards Azrou and Fez. Once there, I'm probably fine. I'm trying to work out how far I can go daily, and in what direction, without fuel issues / having to carry spare. This might seem like a naive question, but I've never been and want to get the most out of my journey.

Thanks I advance for the info.; I hope I've not hijacked the post too much!

[Peter Girling]

If you're sticking to major routes, there's fuel everywhere. All reasonable sized towns have fuel and you'll find stations in between too. It's unlikely that you'll have to go more than a couple of hours or 100km without.

For example, there are several stations in each of the following:-
Ouarzazate, Boumalne Dades, Tinerhir, Errachidia Rich, Midelt, Azrou etc. And loads on the roads in between.

What are you driving/riding and what's your range on tarmac?

Peter

[Endurodude]

Sorry to be a novice, and thanks for the reply; the HUBB name is aspirational! I'm riding an F800GS, and I can get around 200 miles of steady, constant riding out of the 16l tank on Tarmac. I love the romance of heading off into the (for me) unknown, but when I started to plan my route, suddenly had visions of being stuck with no fuel! Guess I should worry less . . . . .

[Tim Cullis]

I'm currently in Morocco on my F650GS twin (800cc). Mine is slightly more economical than the F800GS varient but nevertheless you should be able to get 250 miles range, which works out at 25km per litre.

The fuel gauge on the F650/800GS isn't the most accurate, so before you go, test it by running to empty. You'll probably find you can cram 17 litres into the tank. Check out post #32 at ► Fuel efficiency, range and octane questions - ::. UKGSer.com .::

Fuel in Morocco is cheap for us but extremely expensive for the average local who tends to put in a few litres at a time rather than a tank full. It's probably for this reason that fuel stations are a lot more frequent than in the UK.