Frequently Asked Questions

Maps & Driving Directions is a free online navigation tool that helps you search for locations, get turn-by-turn driving directions, and explore maps with various viewing options. Our service uses Bing Maps technology to provide accurate and up-to-date mapping data.

Yes! Maps & Driving Directions is completely free to use. There are no subscriptions, no hidden fees, and no account required. Simply visit the website and start navigating.

Use the "Search Maps" box at the top of the map:

1. Click on the search box
2. Type an address, city name, landmark, or business name
3. Select from the suggested results that appear, or press Enter
4. The map will zoom to that location and place a marker

The category quick-search buttons help you find nearby places instantly:

1. First, navigate to the area you're interested in (zoom into a city or town)
2. Click one of the category buttons: Restaurant, Gas, Hotel, Shopping, or Coffee
3. Colored pins will appear on the map showing matching locations
4. Click any pin to see details about that place
5. Click "Get Directions" to navigate to that location
6. Click the same category button again to clear the pins

Click the location button (crosshairs icon) in the bottom-right corner of the map. Your browser will ask for permission to access your location. Once granted, the map will center on your current position and place a marker.

Use the "Get Directions" panel on the left side of the map:

1. Enter your starting point in the "From" field (or use your current location)
2. Enter your destination in the "To" field
3. Select your travel mode: Car, Walk, or Bicycle
4. Click the "Get Directions" button
5. The route will appear on the map with turn-by-turn instructions

Yes! When you request directions, we show up to 3 different routes:

• Blue route - The fastest option (marked as "Fastest")
• Gray routes - Alternative options that may be longer but avoid certain roads

Click on any route line on the map or use the "Routes" tab in the directions panel to switch between options. Each route shows the estimated time and distance.

After getting directions, click the "Directions" tab in the left panel to see step-by-step instructions:

• Each step shows the maneuver (turn left, merge right, etc.)
• Distance for each segment is shown
• Click on any step to zoom to that location on the map
• Use the Print button to print directions for offline reference

Click the swap button (two arrows icon) between the "From" and "To" fields. This instantly reverses your route, which is useful for planning a return trip.

Click the "Layers" button in the top-right corner of the map to see available map styles:

• Road - Standard street map view (default)
• Satellite - Aerial/satellite imagery
• Traffic - Road map with live traffic overlay
• Light - Clean, minimal map style
• Dark - Dark theme, perfect for night use

The Traffic layer displays real-time traffic conditions with color-coded roads:

• Green - Free-flowing traffic
• Yellow/Orange - Moderate congestion
• Red - Heavy traffic or standstill

This helps you identify delays and plan your route accordingly.

There are several ways to control zoom:

• Mouse wheel - Scroll up to zoom in, scroll down to zoom out
• Zoom buttons - Use the + and - buttons in the bottom-right corner
• Double-click - Double-click on the map to zoom in to that area
• Touch devices - Pinch to zoom in/out

• Be specific - include city and state for common place names
• Use landmarks - "near Central Park" or "by the airport"
• Try alternate names - businesses may be listed differently than their signs
• Check spelling - autocomplete suggestions can help correct typos

Yes! Maps & Driving Directions works on all modern smartphones and tablets. The interface automatically adapts to smaller screens. For the best experience:

• Use landscape mode for a larger map view
• Enable location services for accurate positioning
• Save the website to your home screen for quick access

• Clear directions: Click the "Clear" button (X icon) in the directions panel
• Clear category pins: Click the active category button again to deselect it
• Start fresh: Simply refresh the page