Google has introduced a new “avoid highways” checkbox on Google Maps that provides alternative routing for those looking to, er, avoid highways. In 1982 Native-American author William Least Heat-Moon wrote a memoir called “Blue Highways” about a cross-country trip in which he traveled on minor roads, literally the blue (as opposed to red) highways. This is the Internet equivalent.

Here’s an example (Microsoft to Google):

Highways version:

Avoid highways version:

From a daily use-case perspective, this is a minor, if interesting, innovation. But expect to see a flurry of map-related announcements in conjunction with the Where 2.0 conference next week.

Related Topics: Google: Maps & Local

About The Author: Greg Sterling is a Contributing Editor at Search Engine Land. He writes a personal blog Screenwerk, about SoLoMo issues and connecting the dots between online and offline. He also posts at Internet2Go, which is focused on the mobile Internet. Follow him @gsterling. See more articles by Greg Sterling