A navigation system comprises an image display unit at which various images including a map are displayed, a touch panel operation detection unit that detects a touch panel operation performed by a user based upon a contact position at which the user has touched the image display unit, a specified road detection unit that detects a road segment specified by the user by tracing a corresponding road portion present in the map, based upon a locus of the contact position resulting from the touch panel operation detected by the touch panel operation detection unit, and a route setting unit that extends the detected road segment along a direction in which the road portion has been traced by the user and sets the extended road segment as a route to follow.