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Before there was a GPS there was Map Quest. Millions of people have been using it to get them where they want to go for years. Not only can you get maps and directions for the United States and Canada but you can also get directions for many European Countries.

One option that is particularly timely is the gasoline price mapping. You can request the current gas prices in any town in the US, you do need an address of some sort but I just always use Main St or Elm Street, these are two streets that most towns have.

Map Quest is a very useful tool. Let's assume that you are traveling to Akron Ohio. You are looking for a Chili's Restaurant. You go to the map feature and ask for Chili's in Akron, Ohio. You don't need an address or a zip code, just the name of the restaurant and the city. Search and there it is 4022 Medina Rd in Akron. The mapping is great. It prints the location for you and if you click on the information you can get written directions to and from the restaurant.

If you are looking for a Holiday Inn in Akron, you can hit the Holiday Inn icon and find out where they are located. Need your Starbuck's fix? Click on the coffee shop icon and not only will you find Starbuck's but some less known local joints as well.

The directions option is probably the most popular. You put in your starting location and your destination and Map Quest plots out your trip for you. It will get you there the fastest way but let's suppose that you don't like that route. You have the option of asking it to avoid toll routes, avoid highways, take the shortest route and lots of other options. You can really customize your trip.

Map Quest can be quite stubborn about the route it wants you to take. You may have to say avoid several roads that it prefers to get it to map your favorite route. It almost always has a preference for one motorway over another and it is often impossible to fathom why it has these preferences.

The printout is easy to read and easy to follow. It breaks down your trip in logical ways. It tells you how far you must travel on each route number and also how the routes transition one to the other. In addition to the directions there is always a map that you can print out.

Map Quest offers a mobile option. You can use your computer to get your directions and then send them to your cell phone or if you subscribe to OnStar, it will send it there for you too. This is a free service but your service provider may charge you to use your phone in this way. The option is easy to find, it is right above the directions on your computer screen.

Map Quest can be a real life saver and even if you own a GPS you may want to compare the route that both of them come up with. It is amazing how often they disagree.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.
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