The Volokh Conspiracy

[Eugene Volokh, April 7, 2007 at 4:03pm] Trackbacks

Google Directions:

Go to Google Directions, and enter in the boxes Boston and London. Thanks to Haym Hirsh for the pointer.

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Federal Dog:

That's why Long Wharf is always so busy.

4.7.2007 5:11pm

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Le Messurier (mail):

If I were going to London, I'd take the more direct route and swim right up the Thames rather than going ashore at Le Havre. Much easier (and quicker too.

4.7.2007 5:15pm

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Mithras The Prophet (mail) (www):

Boston and London? Surely you mean New York and Paris. Philistines. :)

4.7.2007 6:25pm

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R Gould-Saltman (mail):

Oddly enough, while they have you swim to France, they seem to think you can drive across the Channel. . .

4.7.2007 6:33pm

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Bill Poser (mail) (www):

How come it won't provide directions from San Francisco to Hong Kong?

4.7.2007 6:34pm

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tjvm:

Direct link here: Link

4.7.2007 7:33pm

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Sasha Volokh (mail) (www):

But remember how to travel across Norway: link.

4.7.2007 7:48pm

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Le Messurier (mail):

Note also that the 3722 miles from Boston to London will take "about" 29 days and 6 hours. Now that's fast swimming. I calculate 5 and a 3rd mph. Not bad.

4.7.2007 8:05pm

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Dave Wangen (mail):

"Oddly enough, while they have you swim to France, they seem to think you can drive across the Channel. . ."

I'm pretty sure that's a Ferry, actually.

4.7.2007 9:03pm

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triticale (mail) (www):

Norway to Belgium, by driving thru Milwaukee.

4.7.2007 9:05pm

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Truth Seeker:

"Oddly enough, while they have you swim to France, they seem to think you can drive across the Channel. . ."

I'm pretty sure that's a Ferry, actually.

Or the Chunnel?

4.7.2007 9:48pm

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DaSarge (mail):

It's much the same when you type in "Boston, Lincolnshire" and "London, Ontario." The direct route is, of course, down the M5 to Lands' End in Cornwall.

So, why would the "directions" include a long detour in the wrong direction? To France? Hmmm. Methinks it was woman that wrote the directions.

By the way, did you notice that a main drag in Boston, Lincs is "John Adams Way?"

4.7.2007 10:44pm

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DaSarge (mail):

Ah, the perfidious French!! It struck me that the transatlantic route followed that of the old ocean liners. However, when I put in "New York" and "Southhamption, UK," I was still routed through Le Havre.

Methinks it was a French woman, formerly employed by zee French Line, that drafted the "dierctions."

Try "Truro, Cornwall" &"St. John's." very entertaining.

4.7.2007 10:56pm

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Bob Leibowitz (mail) (www):

Eugene -- Since it also performs Los Angeles to London, but not Honolulu to LAX, you should run a contest for the longest Google "drive" between only two points. I'd run it at www.Canticle4Leibowitz.com, but you will have a somewhat larger grouping! -- Bob

4.7.2007 11:32pm

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Hobsonphile:

I got it to give me directions from Anchorage to London. Total mileage: 8,000 +

*is amused*

4.8.2007 2:32am

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Robbie:

Methinks I've found just about as far as it goes: From Unalaska, Alaska (billed on its Web site as the 11th largest city in Alaska!), to Moscow: 11,071 miles, more than 35 days.

Ah, the things to do when I should be asleep before church in the morning...

4.8.2007 5:03am

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vasi:

I can do you one better: Unalaska to Tashanta, Russia, 13,727 miles.

4.8.2007 5:47am

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Helen (mail):

This is amusing only if similar map-based determinations of distance aren't constantly causing you frustration. Try entering "Clinton CT" and "Greenport NY." Yes, there's a ferry from New London, but it runs only once a day, and is expensive. However, Greenport is, technically, less than 20 miles away, even if it's convenient only if you're a fish. Nonetheless, I'm constantly having out-of-network medical claims denied because there is an in-network specialist at the hospital in Greenport.

4.8.2007 12:38pm

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Barbara Skolaut (mail):

They're kidding, right?

Right?

Ye gods.

4.8.2007 9:49pm