If you want to find where something is or how to get there, just enter an address into Google. You can also copy and paste addresses, even ones with embedded carriage returns, into Google's search box. When Google recognizes your query as a location, the results page includes links to map providers for that location. Clicking on a map-provider link (Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest) takes you to a map showing the location result.

Enter a U.S.street address, including zip code or city/state (often, the street address and city name will be enough).

[ 320 Hollowbrook Drive Ewing NJ ]

Then click on either the Yahoo! Maps link or the MapQuest link to see a map of the location.

Click on the ":Driving Directions" link:

In Yahoo! Maps, it's [ "Driving directions to this location ]

and in MapQuest it's [ "Get directions ]

You can then fill in the address from which you want to start (e.g. your home address) and get a nice set of directions that you can print out and take with you when driving.

Note: At present Google, Yahoo! Maps and MapQuest can handle only addresses in the United States.

Exercises

These problems give you practice with looking up addresses and with getting directions. For hints and answers to selected problems, see the Solutions page in the Appendix.

1. Get a map showing the most crooked section of Lombard Street in San Francisco, which is between 1000 and 1100 Lombard Street.

2. Obtain a map showing where you live by entering your address into Google and clicking the link to a map provider.

3. Get directions from your house to either a friend's place or a favorite restaurant.