MapQuest

Mapquest is a free online map service owned by America Online Inc. The company was founded in 1967 as the Cartographic Services division of R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Chicago. It initially produced printed road maps for free distribution at gas stations. In the mid-1980's, Mapquest began producing computer-generated maps for customers. The MapQuest web service was started in 1996. In 2000, the company was acquired by AOL.

In addition to the Internet, Mapquest also provides its services on GPS-enabled mobile phones. This service, known as FindMe, enables users automatically find their location, access maps and directions and locate nearby points of interest. The service is offered through the wireless carrier Nextel. Users can share their location with others via text messages. The MapQuest Find Me service costs about $3.99/month. Another service called MapQuest Traffic provides immediate access to traffic reports on your mobile phone.

Mapquest also provides a Yellow Pages service. With over 40 million visitors each month, MapQuest.com is consistently ranked as a Top 10 US Web brand. In 2006, the company sold its publishing division to concentrate on its online and mobile services. The company is working on a "Build Your Route" facility, in which users can add additional stops or avoid any turn or road while traveling.