However, finding your way around other areas or just planning for basic accommodations can be a difficult task. Now, we can all log on to the Internet to find this information and be ahead of the game before even leaving your office.

To begin, let's look at Web sites that help with directions and maps. Most mapping sites will also provide AAA-style trip-tics which walk you through the entire trip from your point of origin to the destination.

One of my favorite sites, and a true pioneer of mapping on the Internet, is MapQuest (http://www.mapquest.com/). They provide a clean interface to their free service. From their home page they make it very simple to find what you are looking with the ability to browse maps, get driving directions, plan your trip and more all just one click away.

And, their new Road Trip Planner makes it simple to review nearby amenities and accommodations along the way.

Another great feature that I have come to appreciate is you can access all this information without creating an account or having to log in. While doing this can lead to more personalized information being delivered to each Web page you look at in a particular site, I often feel like it can be a hassle when I just want some quick information, and you never know how your information will be used once you enter it in to a given Web site and company.

A second option for map-based trip planning is Yahoo! Maps and Driving Directions (http://maps.yahoo.com/).

May people already use My Yahoo! to customize their Web browsing experience and will find Yahoo! Maps is a natural addition. Like MapQuest, Yahoo! also offers added features like driving directions, related weather information and lists of nearby services including car rentals, gas stations, hotels and restaurants.

To prepare for actually arriving at your destination, Web sites known as city guides can provide you with all encompassing information as well as links to specific business Web sites where you can find more detailed information.

What city guide you use will depend on what city you are planning to visit. The best bet is to use your favorite search engine and enter a keyword search of something like "Phoenix City Guide."

When I did this on my favorite search engine Google (http://www.google.com/), a bunch of different options came up to choose from. I have found that the most useful guides are the ones that provide outside links to each specific hotel, restaurant or other business, allowing you to come up with as much detailed information as you want.

So, the next time you are planning on leaving town for a business trip, go prepared and research your route and destination before ever leaving your office.