AAA vs. the Internet

So my parents are looking to drive down from New York to visit us in Roanoke. My father, not believing me that there’s really only one way to get here, calls AAA to request a TripTik (a customized travel planner).

I suggested MapQuest, but he wasn’t interested. AAA was fine.

Understand this: The only reasonable way to get from NY to Roanoke is to take I-78 across Pennsylvania, then I-81 south to Roanoke.

There are unreasonable ways, of course, the most notable being to drive south through New Jersey, Philly, Baltimore, and Washington before heading west. That’s great if you like to drive through the downtowns of three major cities. (I.e., it’s a really dumb route.)

And yet, when Dad finally got his TripTik, that’s the route AAA gave him. Incredible. It was as if whomever drew the line on the map didn’t even bother to look at where he was sending Dad.

MapQuest, by the way, does give the correct route.

However, neither Google Maps nor Yahoo Maps do — they route you the long way. (Then again, Yahoo Maps once directed me to drive across a river so my expectations are lower.)

I convinced Dad that AAA was wrong, so he’ll come through Pennsylvania.

Next, he asks about a hotel around here. The AAA Tourbook says the average price is $40-$49.

Huh? Maybe if you average in the cheap, hourly-rate dives, or if you choose a weekday rate. (But AAA guides are not geared toward business travelers, so you would think they would show a weekend rate.)

A quick check at any travel site will show you that hotels around here can be had for about $100 a night on weekends, with the one-star Days Inn and Super 8 at about half that. There’s nothing anywhere close to “$40-$49″ even with discounts.

I’m a AAA member — have been for years, and it’s saved my neck any number of times. Roadside assistance and great (free!) maps are incredibly helpful. I recommend it to anyone.

But boy has its travel planning gone downhill.

Hint: If you want directions, go to MapQuest. If you want hotel rates, try Travelocity.