Have a look at maps.google.com. Although they got into the map game only a few years ago, they are now the 1,000 lb gorilla when it comes to maps and directions.



I have been using G-Maps for a quite some time. Their technology constantly get better, and along with it, the detail of the maps has gotten better considerably. There are other chief 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 quick reviews of G-Maps, Map Quest And Rand McNally maps, reading them should cut down your learning curve when you arrive.

After years with Map Quest I mostly use Google Maps these days (although MapQuest still has 1 exclusive feature I will let you know about in a moment). My liking for this Google service developed after finally studying their very easy to understand directions.

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 true power comes in their satellite mapping.

Google maps is very feature rich and their manual does a much better job of explaining it than we can. With that in mind, let's deal with the main features, you will find lots more when you explore the site.

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

Perhaps the most exclusive feature of mapping is the users ability to change any route the service shows. If you want to go a different way all you need to do is drag and drop the route trail to a different point. Many times you want to go to different points on your way... other sites will not let you do this, with Google it's a breeze.

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

MapQuest is the granddaddy 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 Mapquest has provided me accurate driving directions. 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 typically reliable. The map accuracy drops off slightly in high growth cities, mapping always lags hyper growth .

The last chief feature on Map Quest, 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.

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