How to Plan a Driving Trip Online

Nowadays many of us are savvy in our computer skills, while others are new to the idea. If you already know how to find the information you need online, this article is not for you. This article is for people who do not know where to begin to get where they are going. If you are planning to drive somewhere you do not know how to get to, use these resources to help you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer and printer

1. Google Maps. Go to Google Maps' website (see Resources below). At the top of the page, click on "get directions" and enter the "start" and "end" addresses. Numbered directions will immediately appear on your screen. Distances are included.
   
   Print them.
2. Mapquest. Go to Mapquest's homepage (see Resources below). The screen requesting "start" and "end" information appears immediately.
   At the top of the page, enter the name and address of the person or place where you are starting from. Enter the name and address of the person or place of your destination. Click "Get directions." Directions appear as maneuvers, also with pictures of street signs and distances listed.
3. Yahoo Maps. Go to Yahoo Maps' homepage (see Resources below). Go to the box at the top of the page that says "Get Map and Directions." Enter the "start" address in box "A", and enter the "end" address in box "B" separating the address by commas. Click "enter."
   
   Your map will appear and is numbered. The approximate time to your destination and the distance you will travel for each step will also be listed.
4. AAA Travel Planner. Go to AAA's site (see Resources below). In the blue box on the left side of the window, click "Directions & Trip Planning." On the right side of the new page, inside the lavender colored box, click "Quick Driving Directions." Follow the directions that appear on the next page, entering the "start" address and then the "end" address. When finished, click "Get Directions" in the lower right corner. Your directions appear in large bold print, numbered and showing the approximate miles you will travel for each step.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people find one or another of these sites' directions to be confusing. Try printing from a couple of them initially until you find the one you are most comfortable with.
• Each of these sites lists the steps in writing, and shows a map with your route outlined on it.
• Each of these sites allow you to print the directions and the map for free.