Tipster Nicholas Thompson shares a method to pan by direction using the Ctrl key in AutoCAD.

"Reading the 'Click to Scroll' tip reminded me of the panning capability provided by the Ctrl key and the wheel button on the mouse. This key combination, together with the motion of the mouse, will transport you in any direction around the drawing space with great speed. It takes a little practice to be able to control it, but once you're used to it, it is very effective."
 
Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: Autodesk has provided many different ways to navigate in your AutoCAD files. Use the scroll wheel, or wheel button, on your mouse to zoom in and out and to pan around. Click and hold the scroll wheel to use the Pan command.

Press the Ctrl key and the wheel to pan in a different method. While pressing and holding Ctrl+wheel button, move the mouse in the direction you want to pan. The screen will keep moving in that direction until you release the buttons. It's simple, and you don't have to keep moving the mouse.