Error message when you try to create a route in MapPoint or in Street and Trips: "Unable to get directions"

When you try to create a route by using one of the programs listed in the "Applies To" section, you may receive an error message that resembles the following In this error message, the locations that are listed are part of the route that you are trying to create.

You may also receive this error message when you use the Avoid Area command to create an alternate route.

This behavior may occur if you try to create a route through an area for which the program does not contain street or highway information.

For example, if you try to create a route through a national park, a military base, or any area where travel is restricted, the street and highway information may by unavailable to plot through those areas. As a result, the program plots an alternate route around the area in question.

When no data point information is available for the routing program for a selected route, the program plots the trip by an alternate route, where possible. If the program cannot plot an alternate route, you receive the error message that is described in the "Symptoms" section.

To work around this behavior, plot two separate routes. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Plot the first route from your start point to the place where the data becomes unavailable.
2. Plot a second route that starts from the place where the data is available again, and then onward to your final destination.

This behavior is by design.

You can create ferry routes in Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006.