Check out maps.google.com. Although they got into the map business 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 awhile. Their technology continually get better, and along with it, the detail of the maps has improved considerably. There are other chief web properties that provide geo mapping with great success as well. The big 3 are Google, MapQuest and the granddaddy of them all, Rand McNally.

I will do a short overview of these three services, which hopefully will save you some exploration time when you arrive at the websites.

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

It is an astounding bit of technology which will present you with both maps anywhere in the world and detailed driving instructions in most countries.

To try and cover all of G-Maps in this review would fail, so let's look at the main features of the site and you can discover the rest when you get there.

You can observe earth satellite images all over the world and overlay streets on those satellite images, it's very cool. All the key map categories are available to view.

You can zoom into Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and actually distinguish tourists wandering around or see the cars entering the on ramp of the Brooklyn Bridge. Map overlays can be added for almost anywhere as well.

Perhaps the most unique feature of mapping is the users ability to modify any route the service shows. If you need to drive another way all you have to do is drag and drop the route trail to another location. Many times you want to go to different locations on your way... other sites will not really enable you to do this, with Google it's a breeze.

Rand McNally has been making maps since 1872, if you do the math, what you'll see right away is that's a very long time. All truck stops in the US as well as big gas stations retail Rand McNally atlases. They are mostly in the printed map business but also have a website that provides computerized maps and directions. They are a good way to cross check directions from other services.

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 could not count how many times this service has provided me accurate road maps. They have outstanding US and European maps 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 a bit in high growth cities, mapping always lags hyper growth .

MapQuest has a "Gas Prices" icon right on the top menu bar that will search for the best prices 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 planet.