If you drive for work in the UK, you’ve probably wrestled with mileage forms — logging trips by hand, guessing distances, wondering if the reimbursement actually covers your fuel. The AA Route Planner aims to fix that, combining directions with a mileage calculator that handles the maths for you.

4 related posts

Official Site: www.theaa.com/route-planner · Key Features: Directions, traffic, maps · Mileage Tool: www.theaa.com/driving/mileage-calculator · App Availability: AA mobile app · Ireland Version: www.theaa.ie/routes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • AA provides an official route planner at theaa.com (The AA)
  • App includes route planning, real-time traffic, and parking finder (The AA)
  • Routes entered in Mileage Calculator are saved automatically (The AA)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact app download counts not publicly disclosed
  • Classic version current status unclear
  • iOS availability confirmation for AA app
3Timeline signal
  • AA Mileage Calculator entered maintenance as of April 2026 (The AA)
  • A YouTube tutorial on the UK route planner was published in 2024 (YouTube)
4What’s next
  • Mileage Calculator expected to return after maintenance
  • Route planner likely to remain the primary directions tool
Field Value
Primary URL The AA Route Planner
Mileage URL The AA Mileage Calculator
App Page The AA Apps
Ireland URL The AA Ireland Routes
Homepage The AA Homepage

How to Use AA Route Planner UK

The AA Route Planner accepts a variety of input types — you can enter a street address, postcode, town, city, or even a landmark to kick things off. According to The AA’s official route planner (official AA service for UK drivers), the tool then generates directions alongside maps, estimated times, and total distance.

Bottom line: The AA Route Planner is a straightforward tool for UK drivers needing directions and mileage estimates. For company car drivers and SMEs, it pairs with the mileage calculator for compliant expense claims. Casual drivers: use it for traffic-aware routes. Business users: the calculator integration handles the claim maths automatically.

Enter start and end points

  • Navigate to theaa.com/route-planner/route
  • Type your starting location — postcode, town, or landmark all work
  • Enter your destination using the same flexibility
  • Press “Plan Route” to generate directions

View maps and traffic

The route planner displays your journey on a map with traffic information overlaid. You can zoom in and out, pan around, and toggle between map views depending on what level of detail you need.

Adjust for traffic jams

The AA Route Planner includes traffic updates as part of its service, helping you identify congestion points along your route before you set off. The AA app extends this with real-time traffic alerts while you’re on the road.

The upshot

For company car drivers logging mileage for HMRC, every trip saved to your AA account creates an auditable record — no more scribbled notes on the back of a receipt.

AA Route Planner App Features

The AA mobile app bundles route planning with several other driving tools. The AA app page (official AA service) lists the main capabilities: route planner, real-time traffic, parking finder, fuel prices, breakdown reporting, and an EV charge point locator.

Download and setup

  • Search for “The AA” in your device’s app store
  • The app currently supports Android (The AA maintenance notice confirms Android availability)
  • iOS users should check the App Store directly as availability may vary
  • Sign in with your AA membership number to unlock member-exclusive features

Real-time traffic info

Once set up, the app taps into live traffic data to reroute you around jams. The AA app (official AA service for members) offers exclusive benefits including real-time traffic updates as a member perk.

Parking finder

The parking finder built into the app shows nearby parking options with pricing where available. Combined with the route planner, this gives you a complete journey from A to B including where to leave the car.

Why this matters

Breakdown cover integration means you can report a breakdown without leaving the app — if something goes wrong en route, help is one tap away with your vehicle details already loaded.

AA Route Planner Mileage Calculator

The AA Mileage Calculator (official AA tool for business drivers) lets you enter route details and an approved expense rate per mile to calculate total costs. Routes are automatically saved for reuse, which is handy if you drive the same routes regularly.

The catch

The AA Mileage Calculator is currently undergoing maintenance. According to The AA’s maintenance notice (official AA support page), users are directed to the route planner for distances and directions while the calculator is offline. The AA states the tool “will be available again shortly.”

Enter route details

  • When the calculator is back, enter your start and end points
  • Input your company’s approved expense rate per mile
  • The tool calculates total distance and your claim amount
  • You can add fuel prices and average MPG for personal cost estimates

Calculate expenses

Business Motoring reports that by entering your route and the company’s approved expense per mile, the AA Route Planner calculates the overall mileage and claim amount. The tool supports multiple routes, and you can print details for expense claim substantiation.

Save calculations

Routes entered in the AA Mileage Calculator are automatically saved for future use, according to The AA (official AA mileage tool). This cuts down on repeated data entry if you drive the same journey regularly.

What to watch

For mileage calculator queries during the maintenance period, The AA directs users to contact mileage@theaa.com for assistance.

AA Route Planner for Ireland and Walking

UK drivers aren’t the only ones covered. The AA operates a separate Irish service at theaa.ie/routes (official AA Ireland service), which provides routes in kilometres rather than miles — an important distinction for anyone planning trips across the border.

Ireland routes in km

The Ireland version of the route planner functions similarly to the UK tool but displays distances in kilometres. This is the practical tool to use if you’re driving in Northern Ireland or the Republic, as road signs and speed limits are posted in km south of the border.

Walking directions

The AA Route Planner focuses on car travel, but the underlying map interface supports touch gestures for panning and zooming. For walking-specific directions, you may need to switch to a dedicated pedestrian app — the AA tool prioritises drive time and traffic over pedestrian shortcuts.

Map navigation

The AA route planner map supports standard touch gestures — pinch to zoom, drag to pan. This works on both desktop and the mobile browser version. The AA app extends this with turn-by-turn voice navigation while driving.

The trade-off

The AA’s walking directions are functional for navigating on foot in a car-centric interface, but they’re not optimized for pedestrians the way Google Maps is. Use them for short stretches; switch apps for full walks.

AA vs RAC and Google Route Planner

The AA isn’t the only route planning option for UK drivers. RAC offers a RAC route planner as part of its breakdown cover package, and Google Maps is the default choice for many smartphone users.

Feature differences

Feature AA Route Planner RAC Route Planner Google Maps
Directions input Postcode, town, landmark, street Postcode, town Any location, voice search
Traffic updates Yes (member benefit) Yes (with cover) Yes (real-time)
Mileage calculator Yes (currently offline) Limited No
EV charge points Yes Varies Limited
Breakdown reporting Integrated in app Integrated in app No
Member discounts Yes Yes No

UK focus advantages

The AA Route Planner recommends routes that avoid jams and factor in UK road rules. For SMEs and company car drivers, the mileage calculator integration directly supports HMRC-compliant expense claims — something Google Maps doesn’t attempt.

Alternatives overview

MyWay Route Planner is a third-party app that uses route optimization algorithms from multiple map databases. The MyWay app on Google Play (independent developer, not affiliated with AA) claims to save up to 30% of time and fuel money by optimising stop sequences — though this figure comes from the app’s own marketing and hasn’t been independently verified.

Note: If you searched for “AA” and ended up on American Airlines’ AAdvantage Miles Finder Map, that’s a completely different service — AA in the US is a airline, not a motoring organisation.

Why this matters

For UK company car drivers, the mileage calculator integration is the key differentiator — it’s the feature that actually saves time on expense claims. For personal use, the AA’s traffic and breakdown tools add value beyond what free apps offer.

AA Route Planner Specifications

Five tools and services, one pattern: each targets a specific part of the UK driving workflow.

Tool / Service URL Platform Key Function
AA Route Planner theaa.com/route-planner/route Web, mobile browser A-to-B directions with maps and traffic
AA Mileage Calculator theaa.com/driving/mileage-calculator.jsp Web Business mileage and expense claims
AA App theaa.com/apps Android (iOS varies) Route planning, traffic, breakdown reporting
AA Ireland Routes theaa.ie/routes Web, mobile browser Ireland routes in kilometres
MyWay Route Planner Google Play / App Store Android, iOS Multi-stop optimisation (third-party)

The implication: AA’s tool ecosystem covers the full journey lifecycle for UK drivers, from planning through expense claims, though the mileage calculator gap during maintenance temporarily removes the business-focused workflow for company car drivers.

Step-by-Step: Planning a Route with AA Route Planner

Here’s how to use the AA Route Planner from start to finish — whether you’re planning a one-off trip or preparing mileage records for your employer.

  1. Open the route planner — Go to theaa.com/route-planner/route on your browser or mobile device.
  2. Enter your starting point — Type a postcode, town, city, street address, or landmark. The tool accepts all of these formats.
  3. Enter your destination — Use the same flexibility for where you need to go.
  4. Press Plan Route — The tool generates a map showing your route, estimated time, and total distance.
  5. Review traffic information — Check the traffic overlay for congestion along your route before setting off.
  6. Save or note your mileage — If you need this for expense claims, copy the distance figure. The route will also show up in your account history if you’re signed in.
  7. Use the AA app on the road — For live rerouting and breakdown access, open the AA app while driving for real-time traffic alerts.
The upshot

For business drivers, the mileage calculator is the payoff — once it returns from maintenance, you’ll be able to skip the spreadsheet entirely and submit claims directly from saved routes.

What We Know vs What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • AA provides an official route planner at theaa.com
  • The app includes route planning, real-time traffic, and breakdown reporting
  • Routes are automatically saved in the Mileage Calculator
  • The Mileage Calculator is under maintenance as of April 2026
  • AA supports Android through its official app
  • The mileage calculator integrates with the route planner for business claims

What’s unclear

  • Exact iOS availability for the AA app
  • The “AA Route Planner classic” version — whether it’s still accessible or fully retired
  • When exactly the Mileage Calculator will return from maintenance
  • Official download counts for the AA app

What People Are Saying

“By simply entering your route and the company’s approved expense per mile, the AA Route Planner calculates the overall mileage and claim amount.”

— Business Motoring (motoring business publication)

“Our mileage calculator is currently undergoing some maintenance and will be available again shortly.”

— The AA (official AA support statement)

“MyWay app helps you save up to 30% of your time and money on fuel.”

— MyWay Route Planner app description (third-party developer)

The Bottom Line

The AA Route Planner is a capable tool for UK drivers, with the route planner and app handling directions, traffic, and breakdown support well. The mileage calculator — which genuinely sets AA apart for business drivers — is temporarily offline, but the AA has signalled it will return. For company car drivers and SMEs dealing with HMRC-compliant mileage claims, the integrated calculator is worth circling back for once maintenance ends. For personal drivers, the traffic updates and breakdown integration offer a meaningful upgrade over basic map apps, particularly if you already hold AA membership.

Related reading: Check If Car Is Insured – Free UK Verification Guide · Cardiff Central Train Station: Map, Timetable, Parking & Guide

Additional sources

businessmotoring.co.uk, theaa.com

Long-time drivers often turn to the AA Route Planner Classic when planning UK road trips, valuing its reliable maps amid frustrating sat-nav glitches.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How accurate are AA route planner traffic updates?

The AA Route Planner pulls live traffic data to show congestion along your route. According to The AA (official AA service), the tool provides traffic information and maps for UK routes. Real-time accuracy depends on current conditions — major incidents may cause brief delays in data refresh.

Can AA route planner avoid tolls?

The route planner allows you to adjust settings for your journey preferences. For specific toll avoidance options, check the advanced route settings when planning your journey or consult The AA route planner directly.

Is AA route planner free to use?

The AA Route Planner is free to access on the AA website. Some features, such as real-time traffic and breakdown reporting, are exclusive to AA members. Membership pricing varies — check The AA homepage for current details.

What devices support AA route planner app?

The AA app is available for Android, according to The AA’s maintenance notice (official AA support page). iOS availability should be confirmed directly in the App Store, as the AA may have varying app store presence.

How to report errors in AA route planner?

If you spot an incorrect route or outdated information, you can contact The AA through their help and support page. For mileage calculator issues during the maintenance period, reach mileage@theaa.com.

Does AA route planner integrate with breakdown cover?

Yes — The AA app combines route planning with breakdown reporting, meaning you can summon assistance without leaving the app if your vehicle develops a fault en route.

What payment options for AA premium routes?

AA membership is the primary paid layer — it unlocks real-time traffic and other member benefits. Standard route planning remains free. For specific pricing and payment options, visit The AA homepage.