Unfold several maps that show your destination. Spread them out on a flat surface. Keep your pen, paper and ruler nearby. If you are using a GPS system, the location of the map legends varies, but typically you can find a map legend on the right hand side of the GPS screen, or you can go to the menu and click the legend icon.
Look for the map legend on each map. There will be several symbols inside. Draw these symbols on your paper. The map legend will typically be inside a square on the lower right hand side corner. While the symbols are scattered all over the map's surface, but they will be defined in the legend. Once the symbols are drawn on the map, you will need to locate the legend to write the definitions.
Find the lines in the map legends. These will denote rivers, large creeks, as well as roads. The straight black lines will denote roads, the blue lines that are wavy and sometimes straight will denote the rivers and large creeks. Different types of lines will be used for several different features and all of them are defined in the legend, and are specific to that particular map.
Locate the filled-in areas on the map. These filled areas denote lakes, national parks and other landmarks. As with the different lines, the kinds of fillings that are used, such as a solid color or lines, will be defined in the map legend and will show you what type of filling means what. This will allow you to see the difference between lakes, parks, deserts and forests.
Use the legend to calculate the distance of trips by using the scale located next to the map legend, or for directions on how to get from one place to another, or the shortest route to a given location. For example, if you are looking at the distance between the New York state line and the Pennsylvania state line, you could see the roads that will allow you to get to the state lines, as well as the shortest route to the state lines. You can also determine the distance by using the scale denoted on the map and a measuring tape or ruler. Measure the line on the scale to figure out mileage. For this example, lets say that 1 inch of drawn roads equals 100 miles. So if you measure the length of the interstate between each state line. If the measurement is 3 inches, then the mileage equals 300 miles.
