Mapping Programs

[makbike]

Is there an online program that will actually distinguish paved roads from gravel roads?

[mudmucker]

This may not be the kind of online mapping program that you're inquiring about. But this is what I use.

Every time I go out and bike, road or mt, and hike in an area I am unfamiliar with I bring a USGS topographic map and a compass. I never use road maps and I never get lost if off road with a compass. Along with all the elevation and open vs. wooded and other topographic data, USGS also has primary highways, unimproved roads, and trails. But please note, some of the maps depending where you are may be dated. Many have been revised with dates in the late 80's and 90's and obviously things might have changed, but aside from using GIS data (with expensive proprietary software), it's the only source I'm aware of. I couple the topo information with a quick recon of the area using Google Earth aerial photography, and you can kind of get a flavor.

I have loads of quadrangles of select areas, but here's an interactive site you can go to for online viewing of topo maps. It's called Acme Mapper. Click on topo on the upper right if you see a different kind of a map
http://mapper.acme.com/

Here's the link to the USGS topographic standard map symbology and legend on the usgs.gov site
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/

[OakLeaf]

Another trick is to look at the best satellite picture you can get from maps.google.com, maps.yahoo.com, or local.live.com. Sometimes you can see a paint stripe. Of course if you don't see it, the road might still be paved.