I've been using online maps and directions since they I've been aware of them. For me, that was Mapquest in '97. I'm no creature of habit, though; as other mapping services have come online, I've checked them out. Occasionally I've switched. But I always seem to come back to Mapquest. I believe the brand is more engaging, and I've experienced better overall directions with Mapquest.

A note on that previous point: I believe that the major online mapping services provide about the same level of accuracy regarding directions; I've seen mistakes on all the sites I've used. But, in general, Mapquest has let me down the fewest times. I even reported a problem to Mapquest once and got a reply from a live person AND a resolution of the problem!

Coworkers have frequently razzed me about using Mapquest when they all use Google Maps. Recently, a group of us were headed to an offsite meeting in various vehicles. I had my Mapquest directions, as I wasn't familiar with the venue. I was carpooling with a few others and the driver had Google directions. When the Google printout led us astray (wanted us to turn the wrong way down a one way street!) I pulled out my Mapquest printout and showed them the right way to go. Even better, the car behind us had a cool kid with an iPhone who was navigating using a mobile version of Google Maps. His iPhone directions told him to go down the wrong street too. I gained a bit of respect when I started Mapquest Mobile on my blackberry and sent him a link to the correct Mapquest directions.

Anyway... my final point is that it still seems to be the "cool" thing to use Google anything and to slam any of Google's competition... even in the face of evidence and experience indicating Google, while an awesome search engine, is simply not the best at everything. And that's why I am no Google lemming.