If am going to be away from home and may have the chance to pick up a cache or two then I used to run a PQ. This tended to be all caches from a specific point/cache - no filtering.
However, these days if there is only a very vague chance that I may stop .. I just use the Geocaching app on the iphone to see what is around when I stop somewhere (or load a PQ that I have previously run, but not put on the Oregon)
However, if I am specifically going caching in another area and have time in advance (e.g. if going on holiday) I prefer to read the cache pages to identify the caches I would like to do and then I make a private bookmark. I then run a PQ from that bookmark (without the 'day' ticked). I then preview it on google maps to see the results and plan a route etc. Then a day or so before I need it, I run the PQ with the day ticked.
I have a lot of PQ's on my list that I never run as 'true PQs' ... just use the preview option to see where the caches are. e.g specific D/T's, old caches or just ones that I have identified in the past and added to my 'to do' list if I am in the area.
I haven't read it all, but you might find this page useful.
GAGB member since 2005
GAGB Committee member 2010 to 2016 (Chair 2012 to 2015)
UK Mega Event Chairman 2009 (Weston-super-Mare)