Google Maps seems like the go-to choice for online maps and route planning. With Google Maps being the first result popping up every time you put "maps" on the search bar, it is no surprise that this is the most comprehensive and accurate map website in the market.

You can trust Google Maps with its accurate and up-to-date information. As of 2020, Google had mapped 10 million miles (16 million kilometers) of Street View imagery. The website provides accurate and up-to-date customer directions with features such as satellite imagery, street view, real-time traffic, route planning, and many more. Therefore, most users, including businesses trust Google Maps, as around 2 million websites around the world have Google Maps embedded.

Besides the interactive maps and turn-by-turn directions, Google Maps also lets you explore places of interest, such as restaurants, hotels, museums, etc. If you search for a destination, the website will automatically show you great places around and offer you insights you might need when planning for a trip.

Moreover, users also love Google Maps for its Real-time Traffic feature. The online map shows real-time traffic combined with traffic predictions, making it easy for users to check for potential delays. This is one of the reasons why Google Maps has been one of the best sites for road trips.

Besides all the pros, Google Maps also has some cons that you should keep in mind. Even though the website does great with real-time traffic and up-to-date directions, it does not have up-to-the-minute information on unusual conditions, such as roads damaged by weather, blocked by street fairs, or altered by recent construction work. Users also can't set departure, arrival, or duration time.

Website: https://maps.google.com/

You might think if Google Maps is really the most used site out there, why bother looking for other map websites? The answer is simple, being the biggest on the market doesn’t guarantee you’re the best. This leads us to the other websites for directions in our list that could be great alternatives for Google Maps.

The first website you should check out besides Google Maps is Waze. Waze includes many similar basic features as other mapping websites, but it stands out for adding a social element to its customers' experience.

It's not wrong to call Waze a community-based map website. This website lets its users input real-time traffic updates, road conditions, accidents, hazards, speed cameras, etc and uses that information to help other users to commute under the most favorable conditions.

Moreover, Waze also lets its users join groups of drivers to share common destinations or interests, creating a great community within its sites. Waze also includes a carpool option that allows you to connect with other users traveling in the same direction and divide travel costs while staying on the shortest path.

However, as it has many features designed for personalized use, the site could be distracting to use. Compare to Google Maps which has 9 stops for each trip, users could only add up to 2 stops in Waze, making this site a better match for daily commuting.

Website: https://www.waze.com/

MapQuest is one of the oldest map websites in the world, and in fact, is the first commercially available web mapping service. Since 1996, the website has been a great stop for people who want to look for directions and street maps to plan their routes and locate destinations.

MapQuest has basic features like other map websites on the market, such as driving directions, live traffic, road trip planners, gas prices, and more. MapQuest can also be used to find and quickly make reservations for hotels with integrated tools, making it an excellent route planner for road trips.

The site stands out for having fuel costs estimation based on current prices. The site helps its users to calculate how much they'll burn in terms of both fuel expenditures for driving and calories if they walk.

The site is also known for a very user-friendly re-routing planner. Users have no difficulties when re-routing with the site, and could also sync their re-located routes between their phone and computer.

Some cons you should keep in mind when using MapQuest are that its directions sometimes could be inaccurate and that the site is not designed for outside sales or delivery services. It is also difficult to plot multiple stops even though the website is very easy to use.

Website: https://www.mapquest.com/

Apple Maps has improved significantly since its launch in 2012 as a pre-installed driving directions app for iOS devices and now is one of the best map search engines in the world.

In 2023, iPhone users make up around 18.55%, or 1.36 billion people, of the 7.33 billion smartphone users globally, making Apple Maps one of the most used websites for directions. Even though people could still use other map sites on their iOS devices, they still choose Apple Maps over them because of its connection with iOS's personal assistant Siri. Siri and Apple Maps make a great combo, especially for those who don't have a lot of time for planning trips and routes.

As Apple is best known for ensuring privacy for its customers, Apple Maps offers its users much more privacy than any other direction map site. Apple Maps blurs your specific position within 24 hours of sharing it. Furthermore, any of your saved locations are encrypted end-to-end, preventing Apple from accessing them.

Moreover, Apple Maps offers features such as 3D maps, flyover mode, indoor maps, transit directions, and many more. The site also has a great guide for eating, shopping, and exploring the places around your current location.

However, one turn-off you might have while using Apple Maps is that it doesn't offer cycling navigation in many places. Also, users can only access the full service, complete with turn-by-turn navigation on iOS devices.

Website: https://www.apple.com/maps/

HERE WeGo is a maps website owned by an A-list group of car brands, including Audi, BMW, and Daimler, making it one of the most trustworthy navigation sites in the market.

HERE WeGo plans your road trip out to the very end. The site does a really good job of getting you to where you want to go from A to Z. The site offers multiple tools for navigation, as well as additional services like hotel booking and searching for parking slots to help you to help you organize a trip. On the site, users can get access to public transit information from more than 1300 cities.

Unlike other sites where users have to get access to the internet, HERE WeGo allows you to download the entire map of a region, country, or even continent. This way its users could complete their journey without a network at all.

Moreover, HERE WeGo is known for having a very user-friendly interface, especially for mobile phone users. The mobile interface of the site is way larger, making it easier to grasp at a quick glance, which is great for navigating while driving.

Though, HERE WeGo might not be the best site when it comes to 3D maps, and its AR and VR only offer basics. The site also doesn't have proper functionality for multi-point places or destinations.

Website: https://wego.here.com/