What is it?
Mapquest is a free online web mapping service, originally founded in 1967. It has become one of the best places to get directions from, because it provides detailed, turn-by-turn driving instructions to any destination in North America. While most people use Mapquest to figure out how to get to a certain point, you can also use it to locate points of interest, such as restaurants, print out maps of most areas in North America, and find cheap gas prices. Mapquest also offers a free mobile app on iOS and Android, which features real-time traffic and a voice-guided navigation system to help encourage hands-free driving.
How to
To start, open a browser window on your computer and go to Mapquest’s home page. You will be given the option of either requesting a map of a certain area or getting directions to/from a specific place. If you just want a map, fill in the box that says “Maps”; if you want directions, use the box titled “Directions”, and fill in the addresses for the starting and ending location. You can then choose specific routing options. For example, if you wish to avoid highways or toll roads, you can select the appropriate box. Other options include the shortest route, the least amount of time, and avoiding closed roads. Be sure to double check the starting and end addresses to make sure they are the correct ones. At the bottom of the page will be the directions, which you can either copy down or print out. You can choose to add another destination by selecting “Add another stop to your route”, and filling in the required address. Select the red “Gas Prices” button near the top of the page to find where the cheapest gas is located along your route.
Why do it?
For starters, Mapquest is free. You may end up paying hundreds of dollars for a GPS system, when Mapquest essentially offers all the same features for no cost. Mapquest provides you with a detailed map and step-by-step directions, telling you the exact route to get you where you need to go. There are numerous options, such as avoiding highways or toll roads, which allows you to make sure you are taking a route you are comfortable with. You can print these directions out and bring them with you, or use your mobile phone thanks to the free app. The mobile app also has a voice-guided navigation, which encourages hands-free driving, and increases driver safety.
Risks
There are few risks when using Mapquest. The most important thing you need to remember is to make sure you are using the correct address.
If you only know certain parts of the address, such as the street and city, Mapquest may be able to locate the right address for you, but it might choose a different address, giving you incorrect directions. This could potentially cause you to get lost. It can also be a safety risk, especially if you print out the directions instead of using the app on your mobile phone. Looking down to read directions while driving can endanger you and other drivers on the road, so using the voice-guided navigation is strongly recommended.
