Google Maps is great for mapping directions and finding locations. But when it comes to finding areas that are local to you, it provides added features that allows you to narrow down your search and finding your destination much easier.
One of those features in Google Maps is searching locations by distance. By using distance, you can find locations that are several miles or even several feet from your location. Using this feature can be a real time saver, especially when traveling and your looking for a quick bite to eat, going shopping or sight seeing.
To use this feature, just go to Google Maps and and enter your search phrase. It's best to enter it with the area you are located. For example, say your were in the city of Philadelphia and wanted to find a place to eat pizza.
You would enter your search as: pizza center city philadelphia
In the left navigation, Google will list all the pizza places it knows about. To narrow down the locations and search by distance, click on the Distance link at the top of the list.
Google Maps will display the distance, based on the area that you provided, in reference to the closest pizza restaurant (2500 ft), to the furthest (90 miles).
Now that you narrow down the locations to your local area, click on the restaurant that you want to visit, then in the pop up window (on the map) you can map the directions to pin point the exact directions which will also give you the distance.
You can also search locations by distance using your current address. For example if you wanted to find pizza locations, just enter your search as: pizza 234 Main Street, Philadelphia Pa
Google Maps will then display the display the Distance link (as shown in above screen shot) and from there you can find a location that is easily accessible by walking or driving.
Comments on How To Search Locations By Distance In Google Maps
Steven Greenberg @ 3:26 pm
Yes, that is exactly the feature I want. Today, 2013/09/20, that functionality does not seem to be available anymore. I wanted to buy a houseplant and I happened to be in Worcester, Massachusetts, the second largest city in the state, It first wanted me to go 1 hour away. The more I tried to find something local the worse it got. It wanted to send me to Tennessee. It even showed me a place in Maylasia, but it could not give me driving directions.
I kept wondering how the Google map on my Android table could make it impossible to do one of the most obvious kinds of searches a person would want to do. I even wanted to buy something at the destination. You'd think a company that makes its money on advertising would want to jump at the chance to tell me how to get a potential Google customer.
John @ 11:56 am
Time to take down this tip. It's not valid anymore. Google doesn't have the distance option on their map searches.