5 Online Mapping Tools to Help you Find your Way

Whether you prefer MapQuest, Yahoo! Maps, Bing Maps, or Google Maps, online mapping is now a way of life. Everyone knows you can plan your route with them, but what else can you do? Is there anything more?

1. Find the fastest, most gas efficient, or most scenic route – You already know that online mapping shows you a way to get from point A to point B, but did you also know it can show you more than ONE way to get there? Maybe you need to ride the bus, walk, or you just get sick of traveling the same route every day – use your favorite mapping program to chart a new course and discover more than one way to get there.
2. Plan an exercise route – Just like driving the same route every day, jogging the same boring circles can get a bit monotonous. Find new parks or discover hidden back roads you never knew existed. Shake up your routine and get fit!
3. Discover local businesses – Hungry to try out a new restaurant but don’t want to drive around aimlessly? Looking for a hotel on the freeway so you can get an early start? Just moved and need to find the nearest grocery store? Online mapping programs help you search for what you need, complete with reviews so you know exactly what you’re in for.
4. Teach children geography – Next time you have to leave for a business trip, take the time to map it out with your child. Point out places you’ve visited together and historical landmarks, like Grandma’s house, and teach them how those little red lines correspond to actual roads.
5. Tour the area – Planning on moving? Want to check out the neighborhood without actually going there? Or just reminiscing about the home you grew up in? Use 3-D mapping programs, like Google Earth, to see what’s going on. Walk down main street, visit the old high school, and see what the property looks like, all without leaving your chair.

Getting lost is a way of life, but with new technologies, finding your way back to the right path is becoming easier. Online mapping tools will help you find your way- even if you don’t know exactly where you’re going.

Taken From Phone TV Internet