How to measure distance on your computer or smartphone

How to measure distance on your computer or smartphone
How to measure distance on your computer or smartphone

Q: I know that Google Maps allows you to measure distances, but I can’t figure out where to find this option.

A: There are so many powerful and somewhat hidden features of Google Maps and for those that like the outdoors, being able to measure the distance between two points is one of them.

As an avid paddleboarder, I often use this feature to figure out how far I will have to paddle to reach certain areas along a coastline, shoreline, or island in the distance.

It makes planning the day’s events more comforting because there’s a better sense of how long it will take to get to the destination and back.

I’ve also used it to determine how large a body of water such as a lake may be by measuring all the way around it.