How to Use Mapquest

There is nothing like a good set of directions to help you drive confidently. One of the best places to get directions from is Mapquest, a website that gives detailed, turn-by-turn driving directions to any destination within the United States and even in parts of Europe. The most common use for Mapquest is to get directions from point A to point B, but you can also use the website to find cheap gas prices, print out maps of most areas in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries, and locate points of interest like restaurants, gas stations and amusement parks along your route. In this article, we'll discuss how to use Mapquest to get directions, then explore your other options on this website.

Things You'll Need

• Address where you are starting from
• Address where you plan to end up
• Computer
• Printer (optional)

Instructions

How To Use Mapquest

1. Open a browser window on your computer, and go to http://www.mapquest.com. On the homepage, you will have a choice of either getting directions or simply requesting a map of a certain area.

2. 

   Decide whether you want directions or just a map of a general area. If you just want a map, then fill in the box that says "Maps" near the top of the page with an address in the locale that you wish to map.

3. If you want directions, use the box labeled "Directions" and fill in the address where you are starting from where it says "Starting Location," and the address of your destination under the label "Ending Location." If you do not have a complete address, don't worry. After you have filled in as much as you know and clicked "Get Directions," the website will offer you options that appear to match your information. You can select one and continue from there. For now, though, just fill in the information—don't click just yet.

4. Select any "routing options" that you may require by clicking on "Routing Options" in the lower right-hand corner of the "Directions" box. If you wish to avoid toll roads, take the shortest route, avoid seasonally closed roads, avoid highways or take the least amount of time to get to your destination, you will need to check the box next to that option. Once you've done this, click "Get Directions."

5. Check the addresses. When the new page with your directions appears, double check the "Starting" and "End" addresses at the top of the page—you want to be sure that you're headed where you wanted to go.

6. 

   Next, scroll down the page to view your directions. You can either copy them down onto paper or print them. In fact, you can even send them to your cell phone. If you wish to print the directions, select the light blue box that says "Print" in the upper left portion of the page. This will create a printer-friendly page that you can print. To send the directions to your cell phone, select the "Send to cell" option right above the directions list.

7. 

   At this point in time, you are done. However, Mapquest does offer you some other options for your directions, should you wish to use them. For example, you can add another stop to your route. To do this, click "Add another stop to your route" and then fill in the address of that destination. You can also click the red "Gas Prices" button at the top of the page to locate fueling opportunities along your route and to check out where the cheapest and most expensive gas in the country is located.