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. Travel distances are essential particularly for trip or vacation planning, thus you know how to appreciate the fuel costs as well as the necessity of eventual stops on the way, and therefore the afferent hotel bookings. The Internet is the most comprehensive resource for travel distances and calculators although the traditional map systems provided by AAA and Rand McNally continue to stay in business. Moreover, the competition is made tighter with the services offered by Google Maps and MapQuest. Get Free auto insurance Florida Quotes

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 show all the distance specifics with utmost accuracy. Thus, besides the travel distances you can also access other links in the menu that give access to info on gas prices, weather forecast and nice sights to visit. Free discount auto insurance Online Quotes.

For the calculation of travel distances, Google is so far the most user-friendly program, but MapQuest should not be ignored either. This online service is also widely used thanks to the fast way of accessing the information: you just write the place of origin, arrival point and press enter. 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 yet another complex  program that would compete with the giant Google on an equal foot; this will most certainly imply an adaptation of the tools to be more user friendly.

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 relative part in the equation is not distance as such, but the way we feel it in relation with time. We now 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 mean money. Hence, good trip planning means calculating travel distances too. cheap auto insurance