# Figuring out distance on an online map **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 17, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-out-distance-on-an-online-map/317501 "2005-08-17T23:41:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-out-distance-on-an-online-map/317501/1 "2005-08-17T23:41:29Z")
Is there a way to figure out the distance of a circuitous route on an online map such as Google Maps? For example, can I trace out a trail, or several sections of winding road on the satellite view and get the actual distance in anyway? Any other free mapping/satellite programs have this as a feature? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-out-distance-on-an-online-map/317501/2 "2005-08-17T23:47:10Z")
The [GMaps Pedometer](http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/) does this. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-out-distance-on-an-online-map/317501/3 "2005-08-18T00:22:07Z")
Sweet! That rocks and is _exactly_ what I was after - thanks **SmackFu**! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figuring-out-distance-on-an-online-map/317501/4 "2005-08-18T01:14:34Z")
You can also download Google Earth; it has that feature built in.