How to Calculate the Shortest Route

Use a map website to calculate the shortest route.

Whether you are planning your next vacation, your daily commute, or just the best way to get to a new location, it is always valuable to know the shortest route to your destination. This will save you time and money, especially for the places you go the most. There are several map websites that make it easy to find the shortest and fastest routes to all of your destinations. Use these website's directions tools to quickly find the best routes.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Internet connection

MapQuest

1. Go to MapQuest.com and click on the "Directions" icon near the top of the page.

2. Enter the address and city of your starting location in the boxes labeled "Start."

3. Enter the address of your destination in the boxes labeled "End."

4. Click on "Get Directions."

5. Scroll down until you see "Direction Options" on the left side of the page.

6. Choose to show directions by "Shortest Time" or "Shortest Distance," depending on which you prefer.

7. Click "Update Directions" to see driving directions that match your preferences.

Google Maps

1. Go to maps.google.com and click on "Get Directions."

2. Enter your starting location in the box labeled "A."

3. Enter your destination in the box labeled "B."

4. Click on "Get Directions."

5. Click on your desired route from the suggested routes. The suggested routes will list the route distance as well as the estimated travel time.

Rand McNally

1. Go to Randmcnally.com and choose "Directions."

2. Click on "Advanced Options."

3. Enter your starting and ending locations.

4. Select whether you want your route to be the shortest time or the shortest distance.

5. Click on "Get Directions."

Tips & Warnings

• MapQuest also lets you customize your driving directions to suit other preferences. Under "Direction Options" you can choose to avoid highways, toll roads or seasonally closed roads. You can also choose to avoid any particular road by clicking on the "Avoid" option next to that road in your driving directions.

• MapQuest can also optimize your route by ordering your stops to make the shortest travel times.

• MapQuest will also calculate the estimated fuel costs for your trip. Under "Fuel Cost," click "Calculate." MapQuest will ask for your vehicle's miles per gallon and will estimate the fuel cost based on local gas prices in your area.

• Google Maps also has options to plan your trip by public transit, walking or bicycling.

• Google Maps will also allow you to see images of the actual roads you will be traveling on.

References

• MapQuest: MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions
• Google Maps: Get Directions
• Rand McNally: Online Maps, Driving Directions, Travel Store