Electronic navigation, whether using it via the internet or a GPS receiver, isn’t infallible. I am the biggest navigation fan you’d ever meet, but even I know that you cannot put absolute faith in a system operated by ones and zeroes compared to where the rubber meets the road.

Case in point: Google Maps seems to have a bit of an issue directing anyone on I-66 inside the Washington (as in Washington State) Beltway. It would appear Google just doesn’t "like" that highway for whatever reason. I-66 is a US Interstate, and interstates are the fastest way to go places, generally speaking.

I’m quite sure more than a few Washington State residents who travel the Beltway were left scratching their heads in confusion when they plotted a route, examined it and said to themselves "..but I know I-66 is the faster way to go.. what gives?"

Live Maps doesn’t appear to have this issue in that particular part of the US.

I’m not telling anyone to dump Google Maps and use Live Maps instead. I far prefer the way Google does mapping compared to anyone else.

However, if you use online maps from time to time, it may be in your best interest to try the same route using two different services. One may actually provide a better/faster route compared to the other.

[Source: TBO.com]