Tip of the Week: Google Maps Take The Guessing Out Of Total Distance

Have you ever used Google Maps as a GPS system to help you navigate a trip you are taking? In a lot of ways, Google Maps is even more dynamic than other dedicated online applications, and it’s certainly a better alternative than trying to decipher the lines of an atlas. Google Maps even lets you chart the distance between your location and your destination, which is a great way to get the total distance of your upcoming trip.

Before we get started, we just want to make sure that you have the most up-to-date version of the Google Maps for your iOS or Android device. To do so, go to the Play store or iTunes store to update the application.

First, open up your app and navigate to where you want to measure distance from. Just drop a pin on the location to find out how far it is. Next, expand the menu at the bottom and tap Measure distance. You’ll see the location in a set of crosshairs on the screen.

You’ll next need to add another point--like, say, the nearest bend in the road. You’ll see the distance between the two points. For each point you place on the map, the distance between your points will be updated. Once you’ve done this, you can just tap the Measure Distance bar at the top.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the app will only tell you the distance between your destination and your current location if you drove there in a straight line. Chances are that you’re not going to be traveling in a straight line to your destination due to the lack of direct travel. You’ll be taking roads and pathways that wind around natural obstructions. Carefully place points on your map on streets you plan on driving. This will allow you to calculate the exact distance to your location.

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