Complexity is the main characteristic that distinguishes Google’s services. It has become customary for the company that almost all of its developments combine several functions of the widest range. As a result, for most tasks, it’s quite possible to use only apps of the search giant and not to turn to third-party developments. Another thing is that not everyone is aware of all the features of the apps that are used daily.
The purpose of Google Maps is to guide users as they move through space. Thanks to them, it’s possible to find the right address, create a route, and even calculate the distance between two or more points.
There are situations when you need to estimate the distance between two points on the map without taking into account the winding roads, and this seemingly simplest option of measuring the distance between points on the online map can cause certain difficulties.
And in the meantime, there’s a way out. The method of measuring distances by the shortest path between points on the map is quite simple and available on all devices. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a desktop or an Android or iOS device.
So, here’s how to measure distance with Google Maps.
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How to measure distance with Google Maps on a PC
If you want to measure distance with Google Maps on your PC, you have to follow these steps:
- First of all, the Google Maps website in your web browser.
- Then, right-click anywhere on the map that you want to set as the starting point.
- Click on the “Measure distance” option.
- After that, select the second location on the map to find out the distance to that point. At the bottom of the page you will see a pop-up window displaying the total distance so far.
- If you want to measure a more difficult path, you can continue to plot additional points by clicking on them. After each new point the distance at the bottom of the page will be updated.
Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to measure distance in Google Maps on your PC.
How to measure distance with Google Maps on iOS or Android device
If you want to measure distance with Google Maps on your iOS or Android device, you have to follow these steps:
- At first, open the Google Maps app on your mobile device.
- After that, tap and hold the location on the map where you want to start measuring. A red pin will appear.
- Tap on the pop-up window at the bottom of the screen for the dropped pin.
- Then, tap on the “Measure distance” option.
- Once the pop-up disappears, move the map until the target is over the new location where you want to measure. Remember that you’re moving the map, not the point.
- Next, at the bottom of the screen, tap on the “Add point” button. You will see the distance at the bottom left of the screen.
- If you want to measure a longer or more complicated path, you can continue adding points. To do this, move the map again and you will see a new line segment appear with a new target.
- Once it’s in the desired location, tap on the “Add point” button again. After each new point, you will see that the distance is updated.
After you have completed these steps, you will be able to measure distance in Google Maps using your iOS or Android device.
Despite the fact that there’s nothing supernatural about this Google Maps function, it turned out that many people aren’t aware of its existence. As a result, in order to find out the distance between cities or countries, users resort to the help of the Google search engine.
It’s not that the information it gives out is untrue, just that in manual measurement you’re free to choose specific points from which to count, rather than relying on the distance suggested by Google, usually measured from the train station to the train station or from airport to airport.
What are the useful features of Google Maps
There are also some of the useful tricks in Google Maps you have to be aware of:
Parking spot
It can often be difficult to find the place where you left your car. Especially if it’s in a parking lot packed with thousands of cars or in an unfamiliar city. To mark a parking spot on the map, simply tap on the blue dot of your current location. A blue screen will appear with several options, from which you should select “Save parking spot”.
Street View
Street View is one of the coolest features of Google Maps, which always comes to the rescue if you’re not sure you’re really in the right place. To enter this mode, you need to select any point on the map and then tap on the photo that appears in the lower-left corner. After that, you will see circular panoramas of the selected place and even be able to “walk” in the surroundings.
Time Machine
Google is constantly updating mapping data to ensure that the information is up to date. However, old data doesn’t disappear. You can view them at any time in the desktop version of Google Maps, turning it into a kind of time machine.
First of all, you will need to switch to street-view by dragging the little yellow man to the place of interest on the map. After that, click on the small icon with a clock in the upper left corner. A pop-up window will open with a timeline, and you can scroll through it to see what the place looked like in the past.
