How to find the exact distance between two addresses on any device

How to find the exact distance between two addresses on any device - Desktop Instructions: Measuring Distance on Google Maps

You know that moment when you're planning a trip and the GPS says it’s a twenty-minute drive, but you can see the destination is just right across the harbor? I’ve spent way too much time poking around the desktop version of Google Maps lately, and honestly, the way it handles straight-line measurements is pretty slick once you find the right toggle. To get started, you just right-click anywhere on the map and hit "Measure distance," which drops a little white dot that acts as your anchor. It’s not just drawing a flat line on your screen; behind the scenes, Google is actually calculating the geodesic distance along the WGS84 ellipsoid—basically accounting for the Earth's curve so you aren't getting a warped number. But here's the thing: it’s easy to get messy when you start clicking around to add more points for a custom route. Every time you click another spot, the tool adds a new segment and starts tallying up a cumulative total at the bottom of the screen. I've noticed that even when you think you're measuring "as the crow flies," the tool can sometimes default to the shortest path based on road networks, which is fine for drivers but less helpful if you're an engineer looking for raw distance. I usually switch over to the satellite or terrain view when I'm doing this because it helps me see the actual obstacles, like fences or elevation changes, that a standard map view hides. If you mess up a point, don't worry—you can just click it again to remove it or drag the dots around to fine-tune the path. It’s a bit of a hidden gem for anyone who needs to know the actual geographical separation rather than just what the driving directions suggest. Keep in mind that the precision really depends on the resolution of the map data in that specific area, so a remote hiking trail might be a tiny bit less precise than a city block. Next time you're stuck wondering if that hotel is actually "steps from the beach," give this a shot and see what the math says.

How to find the exact distance between two addresses on any device - Mobile Guide: Google Maps for Phones and Tablets

You know that feeling when you're standing on a street corner, squinting at your phone, trying to figure out if that "nearby" park is actually walkable? Honestly, doing this on the mobile app is a bit of a different beast compared to the desktop version because you don't have that handy right-click menu. Instead, you have to long-press the screen to drop a pin, which serves as your starting anchor, and then swipe up on the location name to find the "Measure distance" option. It’s a little clunky at first, but it gets the job done. But here's the catch: your phone’s GPS isn't always your friend, especially when you're stuck in a "city canyon" where tall buildings bounce the signal around. I've seen measurements drift by several meters just because I stepped under a concrete awning, which can be frustrating if you're trying to be precise. If you’re heading out where the bars on your phone disappear, you'll want to download offline maps ahead of time to keep your bearings. Even then, real-time distance calculations between two random points can get a bit flaky without a live data connection to crunch the numbers. We're finally seeing some cool beta features lately where the app actually factors in elevation gain for hiking routes, which is a lifesaver for your knees. Unlike the desktop view that shows you the fancy geodesic math, the mobile app keeps things simple and just gives you a rounded total. I usually save my measured routes to the "Saved" tab immediately because, let’s be real, it’s too easy to accidentally swipe the map and lose your progress. I'm not sure if everyone uses it this way, but I think the mobile tool is actually better for "ground-truthing" what you see in front of you. Next time you're out, try dropping that first pin and see how the distance changes as you move; it’s a great way to verify those "five-minute walk" claims yourself.