if I have a current route up and running and decide I no longer need to use the directions, how can i exit the navigation so that it stops spouting out directions, the only way I can find is to go to the navi menu and delete the route. Is there an easier way that does require exiting to the main menu?

Nope, that is the only "stock" way to do it. There are many mods out there that put a stop route, mute, and many more buttons to the nav screen. You will have to do a lot of searching and reading on how to do this. It is all on this site.