by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: January 06, 2009

Internet mapping websites have become very popular in recent years, adding helpful multimedia features and even mobile versions for your cell phone. Internet search engine titan Google is one company who offers mapping services for both desktop computers and mobile cell phones. In this article, you'll learn how to use Google Maps on your desktop computer.

Scenario

You're going on a road trip from the lush piney woods of Raleigh, North Carolina to our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. You're staying at the posh Renaissance Mayflower Hotel by Marriott on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest D.C. You need directions, and it would be helpful also to find out the distance from the Mayflower to historic Washington, D.C. attractions and museums (which by the way are free of charge to the public).

1) Point your web browser to http://maps.google.com. The Google Maps home page displays.

2) In the upper left side of the screen, click Get Directions to display two new fields: (A) for your origin, and (B) for your destination.

3) In the (A) field, type Raleigh, NC. Alternatively, you can type your home address in this field.

4) In the (B) field, type 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036. This is the address for the Mayflower Hotel.

5) Click the Get Directions button to go to the trip results page.

6) On the left-hand side of the page under the Driving directions to 1127 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 heading, note the distance to your destination and the approximate time it takes to get there. Note that estimated time is a best-case scenario does not factor in things like heavy traffic, accidents, possible weather delays, and lunch or dinner breaks.

7) Study the directions you are given and the route the map takes you on.

8) Click and drag inside the map to center your route inside the map box. Now you want to see a closer street view of exactly where The Mayflower Hotel is located.

9) In the upper left corner of the map, click the plus (+) icon to zoom in closer to street level. As you zoom in, click and drag the map to retain your view of your destination.

10) Note that The Mayflower Hotel is located just north of the Farragut North Metro subway station, denoted by a small white M inside a blue box. You can walk to the Farragut North Metro station and take the subway train down to the National Mall where all the museums and monuments are located.

11) Click the green destination marker (a green circle with the letter B in it). The screen splits with the upper half

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