Gone are the days when you need a compass to find your way.
Gone are the days when you need to hold a map on your hand to know where you are going.
Today, all you need before you leave is go check online maps that feature satellite views, driving directions, traffic report, and even see what the streets will look like on your way.
Yes! That's how advanced the web is now.
Several advanced maps are available online, and known among them are Yahoo! Maps, Live Search Maps, Google Maps, and Mapquest.
These online maps, share a lot of features, and like other products there will be an online map that will stand out for it has a feature not available on the rest.
The ordinary street map we get used to are available on all these online maps.
Oh, don't know what ordinary map I am referring to? It is the map that has full of different lines, symbols, and are in colors.
You can usually buy one from a store.
But since this street map is found online, the map can be customized with places you are looking for.
For example, when you use these maps on finding the cheap hotels, or specific restaurants on a certain area, these places will be plotted on the map to give you the idea where they are exactly.
Then once you have chosen the best place you want to go to, you can ask the maps to give you driving directions.
Live Traffic reports may also be available to set your expectations.
Once your customized map is in place, print it, and you are off to go.
And with Yahoo! Maps and Mapquest, you also have options to send the map to your phone or car.
If you want to know the estimated time to travel by just walking, Google Maps give you such feature.
It also give you directions using public transportation systems.
So far, the public transit feature is mostly available in metropolitan areas.
Aerial Map or the Satellite View images of the area is another common feature.
Once you zoom in a place with the aerial view, you'll get to see the contour of the mountains, which parts are mostly covered with plants, and know which areas are more populated.
But aside from Satellite View, bird's eye view is also available in Live Maps, as well as 3D map within Live Maps.
Google Maps, on the other hand, is known now for its Street View maps.
It offers it users street photos as if they are really driving or walking on the street.
It won't be too long though that Live Maps may also offer such feature.
Now that interactive and customizable maps are just a click-of-a-mouse away, the world is getting smaller and smaller.
Isn't it easier and more fun to travel nowadays?