Different map strokes from different folks, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft |
We’re planning a four day trip and have been mapping the distance and driving directions comparing Google, Yahoo and Microsoft and noticed something interesting. From Worley, Idaho to Emmett, Idaho which is almost straight south as the crow flies produces different results depending on what online map software is used. Looking at a paper map — the ancient method of navigation — suggests that the best way would be following Highway 95 south for most of the trip.
Google Maps (pictured above) present two different options with the one at the top of this post showing the shortest distance. If Emmett, ID is changed to Boise, ID which is a mere 30 miles south, Google suggests an entirely different route, backtracking using all Interstate highway:
Next, I checked Microsoft Live Local and they first presented the secondary interstate route Google suggested to travel from Worley to Emmett the longer way in mileage an additional 150 miles.
Live Local offers a radio button to choose “shortage time” or “shortest distance” so I chose shortest distance (listed as 321.6 miles and 8 hours of driving) to see the following:
Yahoo suggests the shortest distance route first, listing it as 349 miles compared to Microsoft’s 321.6 miles.
How much can these online maps be relied upon?
A more scenic route would clearly be travelling south from Worley, ID to Emmett, ID, but would it really be worth it time-wise to track back to Ellensberg and use interstate highway all the way?
I wonder if car navigation systems that offer directions have similar trip planning issues? I’m not sure which route we’ll chose on this trip or if we’ll bag it and go back to Montana with the family. We visited Montana recently and had a great time.
Have you noticed discrepencies in trip planning between the various online mapping and trip websites?
Did this post make you go hmm?
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Dont forget randmcnally.com. Though mapping often will take you the round about(not to be confused with “a round about”) way within downtown cities. I’ve actually found it to be more correct, within 1/10 of a mile.
Comment by Lestat — September 26, 2006 @ 2:22 pm PST
I tried Rand McNally, who also makes the paper map we have in the car, and they suggest using the straight south route and list as being 349 miles which jives with Yahoo.
Comment by TDavid — September 26, 2006 @ 2:29 pm PST
That’s a tough one TDavid. I don’t know if backtracking would be faster, because I’ve never been that route before. I believe 95 is mostly 2 lane the whole distance, but I believe that there are stretches that are 65 speed limit. And in Oregon, if you are on 2 lane , it’s 55. So you might make it quicker taking 95 south.
Comment by orangecrush — September 26, 2006 @ 11:06 pm PST
I used to live in Kamloops, British Columbia, and my wife lived near Moscow, ID. The first time I traveled the 8 hour drive, I used mapblast.com or one of those (I don’t remember which one). What a mistake that was!
Driving south on #97 it told me to turn right and drive though Omak, WA - traffic lights and all. Then loop back to the highway a couple hundred yards ahead of where I left the highway.
Comment by Junah — September 28, 2006 @ 11:19 pm PST
Heh, now that you’ve probably gone and come back. Have you ever use an in car GPS? The are cool because if you take a wrong turn they redirect you based on the next turn you can take to get back on track.
Comment by FranciscoIV — October 2, 2006 @ 1:32 pm PST
[…] Beautiful drive which can be followed here (top-most Google map). The trip driving south on 95 was 378 miles. […]
Pingback by Make You Go Hmm: » Travel east of hell to heaven — October 4, 2006 @ 12:29 pm PST
FranciscoIV - I’ve used the GPS with my Tablet in car, not one of those devices in car. Same basic thing, but without voice directions. I’ve looked a few times at those magellan navigation systems. Even wrote about it here.
Comment by TDavid — October 6, 2006 @ 10:00 am PST