If you want to estimate how long it will take to complete a route on plotaroute.com, or to reach various points along it, you can do this using the Route Timer feature. Follow these instructions:
- View the route.
- Select 'Timer' from the menu above the map (or click the Timer icon on the map).
- Choose the correct activity (e.g. walking, running, cycling).
- Set the Speed/Pace slider to how fast you normally go on a flat surface.
- If you want to estimate what time of day you will finish, set your expected Start Time, otherwise you can leave this as 00:00.
- The Route Timer will take into account the effect of hills when estimating but you can untick this option if you don't want to adjust for hills.
- The Route Timer estimates times using a variation of Naismith's rule for estimating walking times. This uses an average speed on the flat ground as a baseline and then makes adjustments for hills, reducing your average speed while going uphill and increasing your average speed when going downhill. Adjustments can also be made for very steep downhill stretches, which can cause a speed reduction if greater caution is needed on steep gradients. Default settings have been set up for each type of activity but you can change these based on your own personal experiences to improve the accuracy of the time estimates by clicking on the gear icon .
- Close the Route Timer panel. The estimated time to complete the route will be shown on the map. Clicking on this will bring you back to the Route Timer settings.
- You can see the estimated time at points along the route by using the playback controls (click Play or drag the playback slider).
- If the Route Timer is turned on when you Print a route, each route direction will include an Estimated Time of Arrival.
The above instructions explain how to use the Route Timer when viewing a saved route but you can also use the Route Timer feature in the route planner as you are plotting a route.