A method and system for controlling a ratio of a continuously variable transmission coupling a prime mover to a driven member in a vehicle. The method includes determining a current ratio of the continuously variable transmission, determining a projected ratio from a first ratio path of a predetermined ratio map, calculating a gradient between the current ratio and the projected ratio, determining whether the calculated gradient satisfies a gradient constraint, setting a control ratio to the projected ratio if the calculated gradient satisfies the gradient constraint, setting a control ratio to a modified ratio if the calculated gradient does not satisfy the gradient constraint, the modified ratio being based upon a ratio that satisfies the gradient constraint, and controlling the ratio of the continuously variable transmission to the control ratio.