When you are planning your journey via road, having an interactive tool that would let you know about driving directions and find out locations based on addresses, GPS coordinates, or ZIP codes can help. If you are wondering where to find an interactive tool offering these features, check out Google interactive maps.

To begin with, the Street View feature of Google interactive maps can let you search a wide range of locations - from the beaches of Brazil and Hawaii to the soccer stadiums of South Africa and more. You will simply need to click "See this spot on Google Maps" to use the Street View and explore nearby locations that are worth a visit. Just imagine how an interactive Africa map can help you if you are planning a tour to the region. You can even get directions, and read reviews to plan your journey. Since Google maps allow people to rate places, you can use the ratings as personalized recommendations for making your tour plans.

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Google interactive maps let you access driving directions step-by-step. Biking, transit, or walking directions are also available in a list or on the map provided the data for the same is available. This way, you can use the maps to plan your tour with several stops. Since the maps let you check traffic conditions (live) in select cities, and customize your route via drag and drop points, you can plan your journey to the minutest details before actually setting foot on the road.

With Google interactive maps, you can now get free, turn-by-turn GPS navigation along with voice guidance (this is in Beta test phase) for walking or driving directions. Some new features of the maps include the chance to explore the 3D maps and use the compass mode. While the former allows you to use your two fingers to drag down the map to a particular inclination and see 3D buildings where available, and twist to rotate the map on supported devices, the latter lets you use the compass mode to adjust yourself and rotate the map automatically to whichever direction you are facing. Interactive Asia maps having such features can be especially supportive as they can help you navigate congested roads and by-lanes during your tour to the region.

Another advantage of Google interactive maps is their offline reliability. Maps for the areas that you use frequently are cached in the background so that you can see them and interact with the map elements even in case of temporary loss of connection. Thanks to the Street View that offers street-level imagery of places and turns in directions, and overlay layers on the Google interactive maps that show satellite, traffic, search results, and more, you now have the ideal tool in your hands to plan your journey.