On larger-scale maps, like you might use for driving between cities, the freeways are often given cryptic names or are simply unlabelled. Judging from the MapBlast map in Figure D, I would never know that I was driving on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, just south of I-95.

FIGURE D

The entire Baltimore-Washington Parkway has managed to get lost on this MapBlast map.

Directions are often problematic as well. I'll give credit where credit is due, though. Both sites used to be even worse in this area. For example, shortly after MapBlast debuted, I tried to get some local driving directions and was told to "turn left" from a surface street onto Interstate 66. Never mind that I would have had to cross four lanes of freeway-speed traffic to do that--the intersection didn't even exist! Those sorts of glaring errors are rare these days, but both sites still occasionally give bogus directions. You'd better double check with another source. Like maybe a human being.

That said, when the directions work, they can be quite handy. The sites display directions in somewhat differing formats. Figure E shows a set of MapQuest directions.

FIGURE E

Here's a set of MapQuest directions.

In contrast, Figure F shows a set of MapBlast directions.

FIGURE F

Here's a set of MapBlast directions.

I prefer MapBlast's format, since it tells me exactly how far to go on each street, while with MapQuest I have to remind myself that the distance shown in the box is measured after I make the turn, not before. That's a minor detail, however.

Of the two services, I think MapBlast is the winner. The site is much faster and more reliable than MapQuest, and on your handheld it can provide turn-by-turn maps that MapQuest doesn't seem to offer. MapBlast's directions also read more like plain English to me. However, MapQuest does appear to provide more details than MapBlast. As I mentioned, while MapQuest didn't know the name of Mickie Gordon Park, at least it knew I was in a park. With MapBlast, it seemed, I had sailed off the edge of the earth.