With Google Maps, you can measure distances in two different ways. First, you can measure the distance between two locations by using Google Maps' directions feature. This feature calculates the distance according to the length of the road. Second, you can measure the distance between two places by using the distance meter feature of Google Maps. This article discusses how to perform both of these measurements.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Measuring Distance with Direction Feature
Step 1. Open Google Maps
Google Maps is located at www.google.com/maps.
Step 2. In the Getting around box, click Directions
Step 3. Select the starting location
Under Choose starting point, or click the map, type a street address, city, or other location for the starting point, and then press Enter. You can also click on a specific point on the map.
- When you type a location, Google Maps will suggest possible addresses. Click an address to select it as the starting location.
- Click the + button to zoom in (zoom in) and the - button to zoom out (zoom out). If you have a mouse on wheels, you can scroll up and down to zoom in and out.
- Click and drag the map to move it.
Step 4. Select the destination location
Under Choose destination, or click the map, type the street address, city, or other location for the destination point, and then press Enter. You can also click on specific points on the map.
Step 5. Consider the distance
In the upper right corner of the directions box, Google Maps shows the total distance in miles measured by the route it suggests.
If the route is different, the distance will be different
Step 6. Clear your browsing
In the upper right corner of the directional box, click the X to clear your search and start over.
Method 2 of 2: Measuring Distance with the Distance Meter Feature
Step 1. Open Google Maps
Google Maps is located at www.google.com/maps.
Step 2. Find the starting point on the map
In the Google Maps search box, enter the name of the city, area, or country as a place to start measuring distances, then press Enter. Google Maps jumps to that part of the map.
- You can also visit other points on the map by clicking and dragging the map.
- Click the + button to zoom in and the - button to zoom out. If you have a mouse on wheels, you can scroll up and down to zoom in and out.
Step 3. Select a starting point
Right-click on the map at the starting point of your choice, then click Measure distance. A white circle with a black outline is added to the map as a starting point.
Step 4. Select the destination point
Left-click on the map at the destination point of your choice. A second white circle with a black line is added to the map, plus a line between the two. The distance is shown below the second circle.
You can see that distance in miles and kilometers under the Google Maps search box
Step 5. Change the starting point and destination
Click and drag the starting point or destination to change its measurement.
Step 6. Add distance points
Click and drag the resized line to change the shape of the line and add another distance point. You can also add a distance point by clicking on the map.
Step 7. Delete the distance points
Click a distance point to delete it.
