Driving Directions on the Web

While many Web sites offer users online driving directions, they differ in accuracy, reliability and quality. Because you rely on directions to get you where you need to be, especially if you have never been to your destination before, using the best online directions services is important.
 

Advantages of Using Driving Direction Services

Living in a mobile age, we have become dependent on our own vehicles for transportation. Driving direction services provide us with useful, accurate information to help us get from place to place without getting lost. Some of the advantages of using online driving direction services include:
  • alerts that warn you of traffic hazards, congestion or construction
  • alternative routes to accommodate for shortest time, shortest distance or avoiding highways or toll roads
  • display of gas stations, businesses and other points of interest
  • step-by-step driving directions from point A to point B
  • the ability to create multi-point routes
  • the ability to send directions to your cell phone.

Cons Associated with Driving Direction Services

Unfortunately, no site is without flaws. Here are some of the common problems with getting driving directions from online services:
  • Accidents on roadways cannot be foreseen and many times are not shown on your driving directions in time.
  • Construction delays are not always updated or shown on driving directions, causing major delays in your trip.
  • Road and highways change due to construction. Many times direction services are not updated with these physical changes.
  • Some sites use Flash technology, which allows the directions to load faster. However, the downside is that it sometimes makes the information blurred and hard to read or print.

How to Avoid Problems

If you have an extra minute or two, the best way to avoid problems with driving direction services is to check more than one site or create alternate routes in case you run into a problem along the way.
 
Keep in mind also that, every now and again, unforeseen situations will occur. With a little luck and diligence, you should have minimal problems getting to your final destination in the fastest time possible.
 
Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of different online providers of driving directions.

AskCity

AskCity is a great Web site to use for driving directions, especially if you are looking for various businesses, events, movies or places of interest. This site allows you to pinpoint places of interest directly onto your map. It also helps you create multi-point directions on the same page, rather than directing you to other links.
 
However, while AskCity can be helpful to Internet users looking for driving directions, some of the cons associated with using this service include:
  • the difficulty of posting reviews: When you want to post your opinion of something on AskCity, you get redirected to a main "info" page that you then have to navigate back through to the specific place where you want to post a review.
  • the inability to stop searches: Once you initiate a search on this site, you can't stop it unless you close the browser window. This can be a pain if AskCity is taking a while on a search, forcing you to wait for results or risk losing them by closing the window.

Google Maps

Google Maps is great for accuracy and attention to detail. Driving directions can be specified for scenic routes or highways. The most helpful tool seems to be the custom maps module. If you know there is construction or other traffic hazards along your normal route, you can plan alternate routes and find gas prices or distance measurements at the same time.
 
On the downside, Google Maps doesn't have:
  • automatic geocoding (Geocoding is the process of assigning location information, such as addresses and phone numbers, to specific locations.)

  • routing capabilities (You can't easily get directions to a number of different stops along your driving route.)

MapQuest Driving Directions

MapQuest provides driving directions, maps and trip planners. One of the best features is the multi-points tool that allows you to plan your travel to and from multiple stops without having to create a new search.
 
Other helpful MapQuest features include:
  • ability to send a link to a map or directions in an email
  • ability to build multi-point routes (This allows you to get directions to various places without having to do a new search each time.)
  • current local and national gas prices and locations
  • display of traffic conditions, accidents and road closures
  • easy-to-read driving directions and maps
If you find a problem with a map or driving directions, MapQuest has a Data Error Report form on their site.
 
Some of the cons associated with using MapQuest for driving directions include:
  • awkward language: MapQuest can use awkward phrasing when trying to explain slight turns, freeway off-ramps or roads with the same name. This can be especially confusing when drivers are trying to follow directions to new destinations.

  • the inability to take detours: MapQuest doesn't give drivers alternate routes, which can be a problem if a driver needs to take a detour because of construction, an accident or something else that prevents him from using the path provided.

Yahoo Driving Directions

Yahoo Maps provides clear and accurate driving directions and maps. The layout is simple and easy-to-read, as this "no frills" site doesn't clutter information with useless graphics.
 
Some of the best features of Yahoo Maps are that it:
  • allows directions to be sent to mobile phones free of charge
  • indicates traffic problems with flags
  • uses a multi-points tool for mapping multiple stops.

Some of the cons associated with Yahoo Maps include:

  • awkward language: Like MapQuest, Yahoo Maps can use awkward phrasing to describe trickier directions. While this awkward language can be confusing at best, in the worst cases, it can cause you to get lost.

  • difficulty rerouting:This is another con that Yahoo Maps shares with MapQuest. If you need to take an alternate route or somehow get lost, you will have to retrace your steps, rather than having the convenience of an updated alternate route.
Resources
 
Capen, Tracey (2008). Never Ask for Directions Again. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
 
EZ Driving Directions (n.d.). Yahoo Maps and Driving Directions. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from the ez-drivingdirections.com Web site.
 
Karch, Marziah (2008). Review of Google Maps. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from the About.com Web site.
 
Knox Beckius, Kim (2008). Top 6 Places to Get Free Driving Directions Online. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from the About.com Web site.