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Shortcut: Street Maps

Want to find where something is or how to get there? Instead of visiting an online map-providing service, 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 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.

Google search box with [ 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA ].  

Beside an icon of a map are links to map providers, as shown below.

Screen shot of the icon and links to map providers Google returns when it recognizes your query as a map request.

Click on either the Google Maps link , Yahoo! Maps link, or the MapQuest link to view a map showing 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy in Mountain View, California.

Often the Google Local service can find where something is located without your providing an address.

Google search box with [ Tech Museum San Jose CA ].  

Sometimes Google can find what you want without an address.

Click on the link to a map provider to obtain a map.

Map from Yahoo! Maps Map from Mapquest

Click on the link “To this location” in Yahoo! Maps or on the radio button “Driving Directions from this location” in MapQuest and specify your starting location.

Click on the link “To this location” Click on the link "Get Directions To This Location"

Then you’ll get a nice set of directions that you can print out and take with you when driving.

Screen shot of Mapquest driving directions. Screen shot of Yahoo! Map driving directions.

Exercises

This problem set gives you practice with looking up addresses and with getting directions. For hints and answers to selected problems, see the Solutions page.

  1. Get a map showing the most crooked section of Lombard Street in San Francisco, which is between 1000 and 1100 Lombard Street.
  2. Get a map showing Japanese restaurants in Topeka, Kansas by entering [ Japanese restaurants in Topeka KS ] in the Google Maps search box.
  3. If you live in the United States, obtain a map showing where you live by entering your address into Google and clicking the link to a map provider.
  4. If you live in the United States, get directions from your house to either a good friend’s place or a great restaurant.

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This page was last modified on: Tuesday March 13, 2007

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Creative Commons

By Nancy Blachman and Jerry Peek who aren't Google employees. For permission to copy & create derivative works, visit Google Guide's Creative Commons License webpage.

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