Switching from Map Quest Driving Directions to Google

Switching from Map Quest Driving Directions to Google
Author: Joshua Nestor

The younger you are, the easier it is to take technology for granted. Whether you are jaded or, like me, more easily entertained, I find mapping services like G-Maps simply astonishing. The people who have built this technology over the last 10 years are geniuses.

If you never used this wonderful service, go to maps.google.com right now. It doesn't matter where you are going... the shortest most up to date driving instructions and maps are seconds away.

I have been using G-Maps for a quite some time. Their technology continually advance, and along with it, the detail of the maps has improved significantly. There are other main web properties that use geo mapping with great success as well. The big 3 are Google, MapQuest and the granddaddy of them all, Rand McNally.

What follows are cursory reviews of G-Maps, MapQuest And Rand McNally maps, reading them should cut down your learning curve when you arrive.

After years with MapQuest I typically use G-Maps currently (although Map Quest still has one exclusive feature I will let you know about in a minute). My preference for this Google service developed after finally examining their very easy to understand instructions.

If Google keeps going like they have they'll be in charge of the world in thirty years. Google has first-rate point-to-point mapping worldwide but their real strength comes in their satellite mapping.

G-maps is incredibly feature rich and their manual does a way better job of explaining it than we can. With that in mind, let's cover the main applications, you will find lots more when you delve into the website.

All of G-Maps is based on earth satellite imagery. You can quickly locate Physical maps, Political maps, Road maps and Topographic maps anywhere on the planet.

You can zoom into Notre Dam in Paris and actually distinguish tourists walking around or see the cars entering the on ramp of the Golden Gate Bridge. Map overlays can be added for almost anywhere as well.

Perhaps the most exclusive tool of mapping is the users ability to modify any route the service plots. If you need to drive another way all you need to do is drag and drop the route trail to another place. Time and again you want to go to alternate places on your way... other sites won't really let you do this, with Google it's a snap.

Rand McNally has been publishing maps and road atlases for a long time. Word has it that Fred Flintstone used their atlas. They still prefer the printed map or atlas and sell a lot of them. Next time you stop at a gas station check by the register, I bet you'll find Rand McNally maps for sale. Now, having said that, they have excellent e-maps and driving directions. I find them very effective for comparing routes with Google or MapQuest as a double check kind of thing.

Map Quest is the granddaddy of on line mapping having been started in the 1960's by Donnelly Advertising. They were purchased in 2000 by AOL.

I could not count how many times Map Quest has provided me with accurate road maps. They have first-rate US and European coverage but are definitely weaker on the rest of the world. If you use them in the States, they are quite specific and generally dependable. The map accuracy drops off somewhat in high growth cities, mapping always lags hyper growth .

The last chief goodie on MapQuest, is that it will search for the least expensive gas or diesel no matter where you are in the US. It's a good way to keep an eye on your fuel budget and it only takes about 30 seconds.

Hope this helps you never to get lost again, and safe travels to you always.

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Joshua Nestor is a staff writer for Fun and Safe Driving, site devoted to promotion of real life defensive driving. Site features encyclopedia, driving forums, videos, and map quest road maps .