Going somewhere? Online maps are still largely free. Different trips call for different kinds of maps. Here's a guide.
Ordnance Survey
ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap doesn't provide directions. What you'll find here are essentially map extracts at different scales. However, the level of detail makes it useful for short walks/rambles from a given UK address. Pubs and historical sites are marked.
Rand McNally
randmcnally.com maps of the US are probably the most detailed available. Good for road trips. For maps of US national parks, visit the NPS website (data2.itc.nps.gov/parksearch/state.cfm), choose a state and a park, click Plan Your Visit and then Maps.
University of Texas Library Online
For more unusual destinations such as China or Pakistan and large-scale maps of Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa and, of course, Texas, go to lib.utexas.edu/maps/index.html .
Michelin
viamichelin.com is the best choice for driving in western Europe. Less confident and detailed in eastern Europe, but still worthwhile. Great for gastronomic tours of Europe because you can plan stops at Michelin-approved establishments. Also has small-scale maps of towns.
AA and RAC
theaa.co.uk is faster than the RAC's version (rac.co.uk/routeplanner), but the detail is thinner.
Streetmap
streetmap.co.uk is like an A-Z, but with a zoom function. You can search by postcode, OS grid reference, place name or street.
