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Troubleshoot routes

I can't create a round-trip route.

To create a round-trip route, add the same point twice: once as the start point and again as the end point.

I can't find the correct address for a stop on my route.

Type as much of the address as possible in the Type place or address box on the Route Planner. Adding the ZIP or postal code is especially helpful.

When the Find dialog box opens, make sure that you are searching in the appropriate country. On the Address tab, select the correct country in the Country list.

Address coverage in MapPoint is available for all of the United States, and for major urban areas in Canada.

I want to optimize the stops on my route, but the option isn't available.

Make sure your route has at least four stops. Then click Optimize Stops on the Route Planner.

My first or last stop didn't get optimized with the others.

MapPoint reorders only the intermediate stops, not the start and end points, when you optimize stops. You can add stops to your route, reorder those stops as the start and end points, and then optimize stops again.

Add stops to your route

Change the order of stops on your route

I assigned Preferred Roads to segments of my route, but my route didn't change.

Make sure you also set road-type preferences.

How?

My route goes through my detour area.

Make sure the area you selected for your detour includes an intersection. Select the detour area, and then use the sizing handles and 4-headed arrow to shape and position it to include an intersection.

My route goes beyond the time I set as the end of my average driving day.

Check the Flexibility setting for your average driving day. If you set the flexibility to None, the last stop of the day will occur before the end of your driving day.

How?

If your route includes a ferry crossing that begins near the end of your travel day, the day is automatically extended beyond the time you set. Check the ferry schedule, and either add an overnight stop near the ferry terminal, or add a stop at the ferry terminal and schedule the departure time you want.

How?

Some sections of my route are missing.

A segment of the route may not be generated yet. On the Route menu, click Get Directions.

Part of the route may be in an area that is under construction and therefore shaded a different color. Depending on the type of road and the zoom level, that part of the route may appear to be missing. On the Route menu, click Directions, and look through the instructions to see if any construction warnings appear.

My route doesn't go the way I want it to.

If MapPoint doesn't give you the route you want, there are several ways to change it:

Drag the appropriate section of the route to where you want to go.

How?

Add a stop along a specific road where you want the route to go.

How?

Change your road preferences to avoid certain types of roads.

How?

Create a detour to avoid a specific road.

How?

I get an error message when I try to download updated construction information.

If America Online (AOL) is your Internet service provider, you may get an error message when attempting to download updated construction information. You can download the file manually using the following steps.

  1. Close MapPoint.
  2. Navigate to www.microsoft.com/downloads
  3. In Product Name, select MapPoint, and then click Find It.
  4. Follow the download instructions.