The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: February twenty-first, evaluating electronic maps.

Though the stereotypical American male is supposedly blessed with the innate ability to navigate complex routes without asking directions, most of us will admit that a good map or set of instructions certainly helps find someplace new. Maps, atlases and AAA Triptiks are traditional tools on which drivers have long depended for longer journeys. Trips within a city often require directions from someone at your destination, something of a rare and disappearing talent.

Satellite services like OnªStar are handy but can be costly. Fortunately, the Internet has spawned a swarm of Websites such as mapquest, mapblast and mapsonus. Typically, they let you type in a starting point and destination and provide turn by turn instructions on how to get there, along with the total distance and estimated driving time, whether your journey is across town or across the continent. Some offer suggestions about sites to see and even let you print out discount coupons for fast food. At least one site, bevocal.com, offers a toll free, voice-activated system that lets you access the same information by phone, though you do have to jot directions down.

While free and way cool, how easy are these sites to use? How direct and current are suggested routings? How reliable? The results are mixed. All produced accurate locations and viable routes, assuming users can provide specific details, such as street addresses and zipcodes. Directions for less precise locations are sketchier. And with constant changes in road systems and traffic flow, no site claims infallibility, and all suggest independent verification is wise.

For on-line driving directions, www.mapblast.com, www.mapquest.com, www.mapsonus.com, or www.bevocal.com or call 1-800-4-BEVOCAL (800-423-8622)

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