Abstract: A multi-mode route guidance system and a corresponding method for same include a device to determine a present position, preferable a GPS receiver, and an input device (111) for inputting a traveler specified destination position. A map database (115) provides memory capable of storing a first, or topology, type of record (225) that has topology and connectivity information (227), and a second, or route guidance, type of record (217) that has topology, connectivity, and traffic flow restriction information (227, 229). A route guidance device (101) retrieves selected records (217, 219, 221, 223, 225) from the map database (115). The selected records (217, 219, 221, 223, 225) retrieved are determined by the specified destination position and the present position of the traveler.