Google Maps | Distance Run, Walk, Bike, Canoe

First step is to go to Google Maps and find your starting point or a place near your starting point. In my example I used the place I use to work.

To use Google Maps just type in the address of the location in the search text box and hit enter. If you run near your home, use that address.

Once you have the location you need to save it to My Maps. There is a link to that in the balloon. Or you can click the My Maps tab and at the bottom, select the Saved button

Under the My Maps tab you'll see the Browse Directory Button. This lists all sorts of special add ons for Google Maps. Right now we are only interested in the "Distance Measuring Tool", which should be the first one.

Click on "Add it to Maps". This will add it to your My Maps area.

Make sure this new tool is active by selecting the checkbox to the left, should now have a green check in it. And it should be highlighted with a red dot at the end of the text line.

Next the fun part. Go to your map and left click your starting point. You should see a red marker on your map. Now click somewhere else on the map. You should see a connecting red path between the 2 points. Over on the left at the bottom you should see the distance between the two points. EASY!