Best way to get free driving instructions

Question

Is there a simple way to get driving instructions?

Something like: I call "http://someservice/?start=NYC&target=Washington" and then the service returns a XML file containing routing information?

Has anybody ever tried to access such a web-based service from a standalone desktop application?

Any help would really be appreciated!

Update: Thanks for the hints, but unfortunately I can't run JavaScript. Is there still a possibility to receive driving instructions?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 23 '09 at 11:15

6

Have you looked at the Google Maps API?

Also see how to Add Google Maps’ Directions to Your Site.

answered Mar 23 '09 at 11:15

Galwegian

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score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 23 '09 at 11:16

Google maps API.

An example from the Directions doc:

// Create a directions object and register a map and DIV to hold the 
// resulting computed directions

var map;
var directionsPanel;
var directions;

function initialize() {
  map = new GMap2(document.getElementById("map_canvas"));
  directionsPanel = document.getElementById("my_textual_div");
  map.setCenter(new GLatLng(49.496675,-102.65625), 3);
  directions = new GDirections(map, directionsPanel);
  directions.load("from: 500 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA to: 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215 (Fenway Park)");
}

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 23 '09 at 14:09

0

Depending on your application, it may not yet be a viable option, but you might want to look at the various routing offerings using OpenStreetMap data. The routing wiki page provides more information on the various projects.

answered Mar 23 '09 at 14:09

Jon Bright

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Best way to get free driving instructions

3 Answers3