This software was one of the easiest and best informed trip planners I had the pleasure to work with. Installation was never a problem and this 1998 edition of Tripmaker Deluxe made it fun and easy to plan trips along with all its new features like a new and simpler design using only six buttons to step you through planning and researching a trip. Maps are more detailed with more and newer highways and provide street address details.Using the cost feature for hotels and restaurants with the money minder, helps estimate your cost when you connect to the Rand McNally Website and make airline reservations automatically.

There are two main views at the start which are screen guides and view maps along with star bursts that take you to new options. Guides show you how to use text and audio instructions step by step along with tool tips and tutorials. Entering origin and destinations along with trip duration and costs can be calculated at the touch of a button. You can use a laptop on your trip if you have a GPS (Global Positioning System) with cable and receiver to view your position on the trip maker map, record and replay all on your home computer. The tool menu shows three screens which are Navigator, EZ, and Map Views and you can customize your trip by adding Fly-Drive, Hotel listings and street addresses.

Using the Mobil Travel Guide on the website, you can make hotel and room reservations along with pit stops. Multimedia Gallery previews videos and slides, Rand McNally bar takes you to the website home pages. This program only works on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 and a compatible browser is needed for the internet. If you are a frequent traveler, this program is a must have, which I'm sure will give you many pleasant hours.