Methods and systems are disclosed for finding a most convenient point of
interest for a traveler traveling along a route to a destination. The
method includes the steps of identifying the location of the traveler,
receiving one or more traveler-specified convenience criteria (e.g.,
maximum distance or time off-route to arrive at the point of interest);
receiving a traveler-specified type of point of interest (e.g., hotel,
sporting goods store, ice cream parlor) indicating the type of point of
interest the traveler wishes to go to while traveling to the destination;
searching through a database containing points of interests and their
locations for points of interest of the type specified by the traveler
meeting the traveler-specified convenience criteria; and providing
instructions to the traveler to travel to at least one of the points of
interest identified in the searching step if the searching step resulted
in finding at least one point of interest meeting the convenience
criteria.