Whether you are searching for directions to the next town or across country, you can go online to download free driving directions. You can search by quickest route or shortest mileage, depending on which is most important to you. These maps will also tell how many miles you will travel and approximately how long it will take you to get there.

Such sites as Expedia.com and Mapquest will allow you to find directions to just about any destination. When you go on the sites, you might have to maneuver a bit to get to the driving directions. For instance, on Expedia.com you have to click on maps and then click on get driving directions.

You will be prompted to put in your departure address and arrival address. We have found that all the sites that provide free directions work well for the most part. However, if your departure or arrival address is in a very rural area, new neighborhood or small town, you might not get the correct driving directions. Your directions will probably end by saying something like "take local roads". If you get that response, you are better off contacting a business in the area to get them to give you directions.

In addition to driving directions, you can download free maps of different cities. You will find this to be true more for larger cities than small towns or rural communities. Free State maps arm you with Interstate and Highway information.

If you are traveling a long distance, you should consider downloading a map of the area in case you run into road construction and detours. For long distance travel, purchasing a map or atlas, such as a Rand McNally map is probably in your best interest. It is always a good idea to keep an atlas in your car of the state in which you live and other states that you frequent just in case you get lost or want to take an alternate, more scenic route.

For free driving directions, the internet is your best place to start. Most of the directions are easy to read, even for the most map challenged people. If you have any questions about the maps you download, it is best to check with someone in your destination city to be sure you know where you are going. These directions also provide you with helpful information about how many miles you will be traveling and approximately how long it will take you to arrive at your destination. This information allows you to plan for the appropriate amount of travel time and to decide where you might want to stop on your way to your destination to spend the night or just stretch your legs.