Google Maps Distance Calculator

Description

You can use the Google Maps Distance Calculator to find out the distance between two or more points anywhere on the earth. In other words, the distance between A and B. Click once on the map to place the first marker and then click again to position the second marker. The distance between the points will then be displayed. You can also build up a series of locations to find a total distance.

An important feature of this tool is that is "as the crow flies", so traveling in real life will normally involve larger distances, but this may also help those who need to measure off-road distances.

How To Use

1. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 1
2. Click to place marker 1.
3. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2.
4. Click to place marker 2.
5. The distance will be displayed below the map in miles or kilometers. You can change between miles or km at any time.
6. Add as many points as required and the distance will build up.
7. You can also drag and drop markers after they have been put on the map

Note

All distances are estimations so Daft Logic does not accept any responsibility that may arise when the value reported is incorrect.

You can move the markers after they have been positioned so you can modify you route on the fly and see how the distance will be effected.

Options

• Click [Clear Last] to undo the last marker placed.
• Click [Zoom To Fit] to zoom the map around all markers.
• Click [Clear Map] to erase all markers and start again.
• Click [Display Halfway] to automatically place a marker halfway between your last two markers.
• Use the Quick Find text box to quickly relocate the map
• You can choose between miles and kilometers (km) for the Total Distance readout

How it Works

Clearly you, the user inputs two 'points' that are used to calculate the distance. Calculating the "As the Crow Flies" distance is a matter of using Great Circle formula. Then the main problem is converting the Google Map unit to miles and kilometers.

The map will also automatically save your route in your temporary internet cookies so that you can return and see the route as you last left it. If you ever need to start from scratch then use the [Clear Map] button.

Benchmark Tests

Map showing the estimated distance between New York and Paris. All references that can be found suggest that this is an accurate measurement.

Map showing the Seven Mile Straight in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This shows a reading of 6.910 miles.

Map showing the distance between Belfast and Dublin. As far as I can see this is an accurate estimate (if there is such a thing). This trip would be approximately 100 miles by road so the proverbial crow would have less distance to travel.

Map showing the Mary Peters Track in South Belfast. The reading shows 0.394km which is clearly a reasonable measurement for an athletics track.

Relevant Links

Google Maps API

Further Uses and Ideas

• Show difference in altitude between markers

Version History

Version 1 (29/12/2005) - The Beginning

• Basic Distance Calculation

Version 2 (19/01/2006)

• Stop post back between clicks
• Calculate Mid Point
• Zoom to fit feature
• More than one marker as running total

Version 3 (15/06/2007)

• Move to API v2
• Great Circle display and distance calculation
• Option to resize map height

Version 3.1 (25/09/2007)

• Added print map option

Version 3.2 (01/10/2007)

• Added Quick Find

Version 4 (20/01/2008)

• Added Scroll Wheel Zoom in and out
• Complete conversion to API v2
• Better Zoom to Fit Functionality
• Added crosshairs curser

Version 4.1 (21/02/2008)

• Removed Scroll Wheel Zoom in and out
• Added marker drag and drop functionality
• Removed Print Option (Ctrl+Print Screen works better)

Version 4.2 (10/06/2008)

• Added Nautical Miles option

Version 4.3 (20/10/2008)

• Added drop down map type option

Version 4.4 (17/12/2008)

• Map saves last position for when you next visit

Version 4.5 (04/01/2009)

• Fixed autopan issue when map is resized

Version 4.6 (28/09/2009)

• Removed Quick Find
• Added Google Search bar

Version 4.7 (06/10/2009)

• Brought Back Quick Find!
• Removed Google Search bar!
• Added Route Autosave via cookies
• Added Marker tooltip showing marker id and lat/lng
• Added Feet measurement
• Added Metres measurement

Version 4.8 (08/10/2009) - You Are Here

• Google Search can now be enabled by a check box
• More settings are now saved such as toggle markers, Google Search and Map Type

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