Comprehensive Guide to Using the Bing Maps Route Planner

We require mapping and navigation tools daily – to help us on our commute, find gas stations and restaurants on our road trips, find the right address for delivery, etc. There are quite a few route planning and navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Mapquest. But there is one such route planner that people often forget about: the Bing Maps route planner.

Bing Maps is one of the original route planning and navigation apps to be made available to us. Bing Maps came out at the same time as Google Maps. While all the updates on Google Maps catapulted its growth to a new level, the updates in Bing Maps went unnoticed. Bing Maps has some really amazing features, and it proves useful for many people needing route planning for multi stops and navigation. But not many people have much information about it.

In this article, we will take a look at some of the features of Bing Maps, how you can use them and whether Bing Maps is as good as Google Maps or not. Let’s dive in.

Introduction to Bing Maps

Basics of Bing Maps by Microsoft

Bing Maps by Microsoft has been one of Google Maps’ most direct competitors since its launch in 2005. Bing Maps is a mapping software provided as a part of Microsoft Bing’s suite of search engines. The app is powered by Bing Maps for Enterprise framework.

Bing Maps offers a fresh and clean interface, quite different from the interface provided by Google Maps. The controls for driving directions, traffic, and other features are provided in legible icons on the top.

Bing Maps was previously launched as MSN Virtual Earth, as a continuation of older Microsoft technologies like TerraServer and Microsoft MapPoint.

Bing Map’s original standout feature, which it was pretty popular for, was the aerial imagery. In 2009, Microsoft rebranded Live Search Maps as Bing Maps and the Virtual Earth Platform as Bing Maps for Enterprise.

Features of Bing Maps

Here are some of the features offered by Bing Maps by Microsoft.

Driving Directions

Bing Maps is said to be one of the fastest routing engines. In your routes, you can choose to avoid or minimize toll roads or highways. It calculates driving directions or public transit directions to a location from nearby major roads and can be a valuable tool for route planning.

This versatile platform is not limited to a single region; it extends its services to most countries, offering the capability to optimize routes while considering factors such as traffic, road closures, and more.

Aerial, StreetSide, and Satellite Imagery

Bing Maps by Microsoft offers some stunning aerial and satellite imagery. It is among the best available online route optimization services. The streetside imagery offers street-level panoramas of the specific location of your choice.

Static Map Service

Bing Maps offers a REST service. It helps retrieve images of maps. These images are useful when generating reports or when you do not require a fully interactive map. You also get high-resolution 3D models of over 250 cities in 11 countries.

Auto-suggest

As you start to type the stop or location in the search bar, Bing Maps auto-suggests addresses, so you do not have to type in the whole address.

Geocoding

You can use forward and reverse geocoding to locate where a particular address is look for an address or stop in a specific location. It offers batch geocoding of 200,000 reverse or forward geocoding and processes at once. This way, it cuts downtime, bandwidth, and the number of requests.

Real-Time Traffic

Bing Maps provides real time traffic information in 35 countries. It presents the results either in individual incident data points or as color-coded roads depicting traffic flow in the streets. The app updates the real time traffic data every 15 minutes. The app retrieves traffic incident information like construction, traffic accidents, and road closures.

Reporting & Analytics

Users gain insights from the reports and analytics. Users calculate useful information regarding their routes and stops. This data helps make informed decisions in the future.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Bing Maps Route Planner

1. Open Bing Maps in a browser on your desktop or mobile device.
2. In the next step, enter the starting point followed by the destinations or stops that you want to cover in your route. Bing Maps allows you to add multiple destinations/stops to the route up to 25 stops.
3. Plan a route and choose from options like walking, biking, public transport mode, or driving directions.
4. You can also choose to print the routes you plan.
5. Save the routes and destinations.
6. The routes you plan can be shared with others as well.
7. Finally, it is possible to receive additional information for your routes related to traffic data and elevation.

Bing Maps vs. Google Maps: Which is the Better Option?

Let’s break down how Bing Maps and Google Maps compare. Both are great tools, but each has its own strengths. 

Here’s what you need to know to pick the right one for you.

1. Comparing navigation and mapping capabilities

Bing Maps and Google Maps both help you get where you need to go. Google Maps offers more detailed maps and covers more remote areas. It also updates more often, which means you’ll see new roads and businesses faster.

Bing Maps shines with its bird’s eye view feature. This gives you a clear angled view of buildings and landmarks. It’s super helpful when you’re trying to spot a specific building or understand an area’s layout.

For turn-by-turn directions, Google Maps tends to be more accurate. But Bing Maps often suggests routes with less traffic, which can save you time during rush hour.

2. Mobile experience and usability

Google Maps wins for ease of use on phones. Its app runs smoothly and loads quickly. The search bar is simple, and you can easily save your favorite places.

Bing Maps has a clean look that some users prefer. It works well on Windows phones and integrates nicely with other Microsoft apps. However, its mobile app isn’t as fast or smooth as Google Maps.

Both apps work offline, but Google Maps makes it easier to download maps for offline use. This is handy when you’re traveling or in areas with poor signal.

3. Public transportation and walking directions

Need to catch a bus or train? Google Maps has better public transit coverage in most cities. It shows real-time updates and more route options. You’ll also get accurate arrival times and platform numbers.

Bing Maps covers public transport too, but in fewer cities. However, it’s great for walking directions. It shows you safer routes and considers things like stairs and steep hills.

For cyclists, Google Maps offers dedicated bike lanes and trails. Bing Maps is still catching up in this area.

Both services can get you where you need to go. Choose Google Maps if you want the most features and best mobile experience. Pick Bing Maps if you like clearer visuals and use other Microsoft services.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Route Planner for Your Needs

Both Google Maps and Bing Maps route planner came around at the same time. Over time, while Google Maps was able to work its way towards developing and making navigation and route planning services more accessible, Bing Maps was left behind, being restricted to a few thousand users who had access to the map on a Windows device.

It makes sense why Google Maps, and not Bing Maps, is the first choice when it comes to routing and navigation. Google Maps is predominantly found on Android devices, where it is a default application. iOS users can download it from the App Store.

We hope this article about Bing Maps route planner and its similarities and differences with Google Maps has helped you determine which app is a better option for you.