# Can I find walking directions on the Internet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100 "2002-06-20T17:29:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broodha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Broodha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broodha)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/1 "2002-06-20T17:29:44Z")
On websites like Mapquest, they offer an option for driving directions. Is there somewhere on the web that will lay out walking directions between 2 addresses. This is significant in Washington, DC, since driving directions lead you in circles through one-way roads and the like. Any help? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/2 "2002-06-20T17:31:23Z")
You could just pull up a large street map of the area… Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/3 "2002-06-20T17:33:08Z")
What I want to know is, if I set up a catapault and some strategically placed trampolines, can I get bouncing directions to a location? 😃 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Broodha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Broodha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broodha)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/4 "2002-06-20T17:34:44Z")
Of course. That’s true. I’m actually most interested in the principle of the matter - whether or not such a site or service exists. Thank you for your rapid reply, though. Man that was quick! Other ideas out there? ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/5 "2002-06-20T17:37:59Z")
I don’t think the direction services have programming built in for walkers. The best thing to do would be to just ask for directions that don’t involve highways. ---
**Author:** ![Broodha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@Broodha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broodha)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/6 "2002-06-20T17:44:32Z")
The problem that I am experiencing basically revolves around being directed (as if I were a car) through a zig-zag of one-way, downtown streets. It would be very convenient if walking directions were available. Don’t get me wrong. I am perfectly capable of reading maps, using street signs, calling/asking for directions, using a compass etc. I just have a touch of curiosity. I’d also be interested to know if Zev’s “bouncing directions” are available. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/7 "2002-06-20T18:21:38Z")
> [@](#): > > I’d also be interested to know if Zev’s “bouncing directions” are available. Those are hard to do because people are not honest about their wieght. ---
**Author:** ![Earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/90db22/32.png) [@Earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthling)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/8 "2002-06-20T18:24:58Z")
I think the real problem is that services such as Mapquest currently don’t have the intelligence to find the best route, driving or walking. I rented a GPS-equipped car last year and found its directions to be inferior (IMO) to what I figured out myself via a map. You can get initial headings for your catapult by entering exact longitude & latitude coordinates [here](http://www.indo.com/distance/). No help with street addresses, though. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/9 "2002-06-20T18:27:50Z")
Please post a link to the website that does a good job giving driving directions with respect to one way streets - I’ve never seen one. ---
**Author:** ![MinkMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minkman/32/19170_2.png) [@MinkMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinkMan)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/10 "2002-06-20T18:38:48Z")
If you are specifically interested in getting around Washington DC, the Metro system has a pretty good site for finding the best routes around the city. It is primarily for using mass transit (bus & rail) but it also includes walking directions from your starting point to the nearest station/bus stop and to your destination. The URL is [http://rideguide.wmata.com/](http://rideguide.wmata.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-find-walking-directions-on-the-internet/115100/11 "2002-06-20T18:45:26Z")
Well, the Australian Govt have recently introduced a website which has **every single public toilet in Australia on it**. see it [here](http://www.toiletmap.gov.au/) That might be handy if you ever happen to want to do more than 4 - 5 hours of walking in Australia 🙂