Method for processing digital map data

The invention is directed to a method for processing digital map data for route determination, comprising dividing a region into a plurality of zones, for each zone, automatically determining at least one cost value for at least one passing direction of the zone based on the digital map data of the zone and a predetermined cost criterion. The invention is further directed to a Method for determining a route between two points, comprising providing digital map data being processed by the method according to one of the preceding claims, automatically determining at least one sequence of zones connecting the two points, each zone of the sequence being adjacent to another zone of the sequence, such that the sum of the cost values of the zones of the sequence is optimized.