Even if travel distances were the first concern of map makers the technologies we have developed so far allow us to calculate distances in  miles, nautical and air miles or kilometers. The calculation of travel distances both on the highway and in cities remain essential for trip or vacation  planning, thus you know how to 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 although the traditional map  systems provided by AAA and Rand McNally continue to stay in business. 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. For access to the Google Maps  page you need to have a regular free Google account; after the entrance of the points of origin and destination, the distance  measurement tools will give you accurate and highly comprehensive data. Thus, other than the travel distances you can also click 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. The positive reviews come from to the fast  way of accessing the information: type the place of origin, arrival point and press  go. You will be provided not only with a map and the travel distances, but  indications for how to move around are available too. For the moment, MapQuest is preparing the launch  of a more comprehensive  program that would bring equal  chances of popularity with the Google giant; this will most certainly imply an adaptation of the tools to be more user  friendly.

Presently, time and space perception has changed radically and the modern means of transportation reflect this change.  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 the way we feel it in relation with time. People  often tend to say: how long does it take to get to location X and not how far is location X? For car  travelers, distances are then appreciated in terms of costs too: gas, food, lodging, they all have to be covered out of the personal pocket. Hence, good trip planning means  calculating travel distances too.