Maps and directions

[AZsix]

For those of us without GPS I have found that Ask.com has great mapping and directions. Much better than Mapquest IMHO. You can get turn by turn directions like Mapquest but the maps are really nice. You can zoom in as close as you want to with spin of the finger on the mouse.

Just thought I would pass it along.

[sewserious]

I use Google maps, just about the best out there and you can also zoom in at the touch of a mouse wheel, get turn-by-turn directions, and even get a satellite view of the area.

[tlhdoc]

I like Microsoft's Streets and Trips for my mapping.

[flyfisherman]

AAA Maps always works for me.

[AustinBoston]

AAA Maps always works for me.

I have found when Mapquest insisted the street that I was on did not exist (even though it was there before), and when Google Maps would take me down a one-way the wrong way, that AAA Maps got it right, AND told me about possible construction along the way (well...sometimes they'd get the construction info right).

Despite all that, paper is still my favorite.

Austin

[CC777]

I've used mapquest and randmacnally for driving directions.  I like randmacnally a bit better but I LOVE to play on Google maps.  I usually get directions and then zoom in on my destination.  Then I "hybrid" the view so you get a real satellite picture with labeled roadways.  It's cool!


CC

[DoubleD]

I am most familiar with Yahoo maps, Google maps and Mapquest, as well as using NeverLost in rental cars.  Obviously NeverLost is the most user-friendly of the above mentioned, but I find that I do not learn the area when relying on NeverLost.  Part of using directions for me is learning where I am and where I am going, so I don't have to continue to rely on directions.

I really don't understand the hatred for Mapquest.  10 years ago (or so) we didn't have these free services available.  I will go out on a limb and say that for every wrong street, direction, or map found on Mapquest, 98 correct streets, directions and maps are provided by Mapquest.  I don't bet the farm on it's accuracy in routes and times, but as a reference, I find it to be a real bargain.

D'oh, it's free!

Funny how people bash Mapquest mercilessly.  How much money have YOU paid to use Mapquest?  What compels you to bash a free service?  What online mapping service did you use before Mapquest?  I will answer my own questions...(1) I have paid nothing for the service; (2) it is easy to remember the one time that this free service was wrong (or I put in bad information) and not so easy to remember the countless times it has been accurate, plus since it is free, there HAS to be something inherently wrong with it; (3) I didn't have the luxury of a online mapping service that was free and 98% accurate before Mapquest, so I didn't use an online mapping service before Mapquest.

I will take Mapquest, do my homework and not be the farm on the routes nor times given, thank you very much.

[sewserious]

I am most familiar with Yahoo maps, Google maps and Mapquest, as well as using NeverLost in rental cars.  Obviously NeverLost is the most user-friendly of the above mentioned, but I find that I do not learn the area when relying on NeverLost.  Part of using directions for me is learning where I am and where I am going, so I don't have to continue to rely on directions.

I really don't understand the hatred for Mapquest.  10 years ago (or so) we didn't have these free services available.  I will go out on a limb and say that for every wrong street, direction, or map found on Mapquest, 98 correct streets, directions and maps are provided by Mapquest.  I don't bet the farm on it's accuracy in routes and times, but as a reference, I find it to be a real bargain.

D'oh, it's free!

Funny how people bash Mapquest mercilessly.  How much money have YOU paid to use Mapquest?  What compels you to bash a free service?  What online mapping service did you use before Mapquest?  I will answer my own questions...(1) I have paid nothing for the service; (2) it is easy to remember the one time that this free service was wrong (or I put in bad information) and not so easy to remember the countless times it has been accurate, plus since it is free, there HAS to be something inherently wrong with it; (3) I didn't have the luxury of a online mapping service that was free and 98% accurate before Mapquest, so I didn't use an online mapping service before Mapquest.

I will take Mapquest, do my homework and not be the farm on the routes nor times given, thank you very much.

What bit you this morning?  Did somebody put something in your Cheerios?  Google maps are free as are yahoo, and I think randmcnalley is also.  Mapquest was the first, but they haven't improved the product in 10 years.  So, even if it is free, it isn't the best anymore.  (It's easy to be the best when you are the only one, but there are competitors out there now that are the same price, FREE, and that are better).  FYI, they all make their money from advertisers.

Google maps is accurate (99% of the time) allows for alternate routes, (you can even drag the route around if you want to find an alternate) satellite views, and a host of other goodies, much improved over the very basic Mapquest and best of all, it is FREE.

[Eric Sass]

I have a Tom Tom nav system which I use daily. When we go camping  it's fun to use maps to get to knew CGs. It gets the whole family involved and adds some adventure to the experience.

[GeneF]

We have used a lot of different map info.  Mapquest, AAA, Road Maps from visitors centers, Rand McNally, Rand McNally's Motor Carriers' Road Atlas and TomTom.

Best two I have used is Reader's Digest Travel Atlas and DW.

DW really likes the city maps in the Reader's Digest one but they are not publishing the atlas anymore from what we can find out.  Just ordered a used one from a bookstore.  Main reason is that the binding is letting go.

None of the internet sites or gps systems are going to be 100% accurate.  Main reason is that construction is always going on for developments with new roads, cities changing to one-way streets, etc.
This makes it practically impossible to be 100% accurate.

I have a friend that works for one of the mapping companies and they have workers constantly plotting new streets, houses, etc to keep their product as accurate as possible.

Use what you are happy and comfortable with and enjoy the camping trip.

[AustinBoston]

I will go out on a limb and say that for every wrong street, direction, or map found on Mapquest, 98 correct streets, directions and maps are provided by Mapquest.

Wow!  I find that in this area, at least 5% of the time, their directions are impossible or illegal!  At least 40% of the time, there is a better way.

I understand the 40%; Mapquest doesn't really understand that State Highway XYZ has 42 stoplights while County Road WXY has two.  But send me down a one-way street the wrong way, or down a street that does not exist?  That's a good reason to be ticked off at Mapquest.

It was far worse in Massachusetts, where official records had far more phantom streets and the arrangement of one-way roads would change with the weather.

Personally, I don't feel Google Maps is much better.  I don't use Yahoo maps often enough to know.  While I like AAA maps, I PAY for that service, and it's still a pain for me to get to.  Paper maps work for me.

Austin