Maps were not made just to show the way, but also to appreciate distances, and the technologies we now have available allow us to calculate distances in miles, nautical and air miles or kilometers. Travel distances are essential particularly for trip or vacation planning, thus one can appreciate the fuel costs as well as the the need for hotel reservations in case the journey extends on two or more days. The Internet is the richest resource for travel distances and calculators even if AAA and Rand McNally still remain the largest map companies in the United States with very good presences online too. Google and MapQuest are other major players in the online map competition.
Google calculators for travel distances dominate the web, particularly since together with this free service you are offered a whole range of options. A Google account is all you need to get access to Google Maps; once you enter the points of origin and destination, the distance measurement tools will give you accurate and highly comprehensive data. Moreover, other than the travel distances you can also access other links in the menu that include gas prices, weather forecast and nice sights to visit.
Program analysts point out that so far Google has come up with the most user-friendly type of program for the calculation of travel distances. This online service is also widely used thanks to the fast way of accessing the information: type the place of origin, the destination point and press go. You will be provided not only with a map and the travel distances, but directions are available too. For the moment, MapQuest is preparing the release of a more comprehensive program that would compete with the giant Google on an equal foot; this will most certainly trigger the introduction of other tools and functions to aid the web searcher even further.
The meaning of short and long travel distances has been altered with the existence of alternative transportation means. The travel distances between Los Angeles and New York would thus be long by car or train, but short by plane. In fact, the variable in the equation is not distance as such, but our perception of it in terms of time. We now tend to say: how long does it take to get to location X instead of how far is location X? Costs, on the other hand are other ways of considering travel distances: gas, food, lodging, they all have to be covered out of the personal pocket. Hence, good trip planning means calculating travel distances too.
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