Take a look at maps.google.com. Even though they got into the map game just recently, they are now the 1,000 lb gorilla when it comes to maps and directions.

I have been using Google Maps for a quite some time. Their technology continually get better, and along with it, the detail of the maps has gotten better significantly. There are other key web players 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, Map Quest And Rand McNally maps, reading them should curtail your learning curve when you arrive at the websites.

After years with Map Quest I mostly use Google Maps lately (although MapQuest still has 1 unique feature I will let you know about in a sec). My liking for this Google service developed after finally examining their very easy to comprehend directions.

If Google keeps going like they have they will be in charge of the world in no time. Google has first-rate point-to-point mapping worldwide but their real glory comes in their satellite mapping.

Google maps is incredibly feature rich and their manual does a way better job of teaching than we can. With that in mind, let's deal with the main applications, you will find plenty more when you delve into the website.

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

You can zoom into St. Peters Cathedral in Vatican and actually distinguish tourists walking around or see the traffic entering the on ramp of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Map overlays can be added for almost anywhere as well.

Another unique feature of Google Maps is that it lets you to change the route it has laid out for you, simply by dragging the route marking to a different place. We often know alternate routes, learned by experience that we want to use. All other services will not let you change the path... with Google Maps it's easy.

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 lots of them. Next time you stop at a large fuel stop check by the register, I bet you'll find Rand McNally atlases for sale. Now, having said that, they have first-rate e-maps and directions. I find them especially useful for comparing routes with Google or Map Quest as a double check kind of thing.

MapQuest is the granddad of online mapping having been started in the 1960's by Donnelly Advertising. They were purchased in 2000 by AOL.

I have used Map Quest plenty of times and they always deliver. They have great maps for the US, Canada and Europe but are weaker in the rest of the planet in their quality and detail. US directions are totally detailed and usually very accurate. In some growth areas they can be a little behind, simply because of trying to stay current with new growth can be challenging.

MapQuest has a "Gas Prices" icon right on the top menu bar that will search for the best gas or diesel anywhere in the US. This is a real money saver and I check it before every fill up.

Between the three of these sites, you should be able to find your way around anywhere on the earth.