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Question

Auto route ?

Sep 19, 2011 3:51AM PDT

anyone know any type of software which i can use to plot the quickest route to every capital in the world? while driving?

not 100% sure if this is the right place to put this question.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It took me a moment.
Sep 19, 2011 4:08AM PDT

I don't see an app but if you google "Great circle route calculator" you will find the tool that gives you the shortest route from here to there.
Bob

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PS. Since you can't drive from Washington DC to Honolulu
Sep 19, 2011 5:39AM PDT

I thought since the question did not limit it to some continent, or even a country with roads, it would be good to know about the great circle method.
Bob

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Answer
Google Earth will do that for you
Sep 19, 2011 5:23AM PDT

just put in the start and the end and punch the directions button.

Greater Circle route probably will not have much bearing on the route if you are driving.

P

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Answer
Re: quickest route
Sep 19, 2011 8:19AM PDT

With some 200 countries around (not counting the 40 USA states that have capitals, and all UK counties that have capitals, just countries), this is a classical example of a difficult problem, finding the shortest route through 200 places. Such problems are called NP-complete and are a notable area of mathematical and computer science problems. Note there are some 199! (that's 199*198*...*3*2*1) possible routes to choose from and that's a LOT.

More in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_salesman_problem

So yes, that software exists. Find your nearest mathematical University department and ask for it.

Kees