MapQuest is once again in the zeitgeist. (It wasn’t on my 2026 Bingo card.)
The last time I can remember using MapQuest was around 2004. At the time, I was still using a Samsung flip phone. (I hated it.)
When MapQuest arrived on the scene, it was an order of magnitude improvement over AAA TripTiks and my tattered Rand McNally Atlas. Here’s how it would go when I needed directions from the venerable mapping website in the “before days”:
- Visit MapQuest’s website from my Mac.
- Type in the destination address.
- Plot the course.
- Print out the directions.
In early 2005, I switched from using MapQuest to Google Maps. I never looked back. In 2011, I purchased my first smartphone, an iPhone 4. When Google Maps for the iPhone released, in late 2012, I installed it right away. (And the trees rejoiced!)
And for the most part, I’ve been using Google Maps whenever I’m out and about.
But recent events have lead me back to MapQuest. In all honesty, I was surprised that MapQuest even exists in this day and age.
I’ve been using MapQuest for the past few days on my iPhone 15 Pro. Turn by turn directions are good, and I like the app’s use of pixelated avatars, custom voices and gamification aspects. I also like its private mapping mode where I can keep my search history local to my device. The app is still a little rough around the edges, but it’s good enough to occupy a spot on my iPhone’s home screen.
MapQuest is refreshingly fun to use, when compared to the other major players from Google and Apple. I’m glad it’s finally getting some much needed attention.
-Krishna