working out distances between two points using google maps api?

Question

Is it possible to send two lat long points to google to calculate the distance between the two?

Answer 1

If you're looking to use the v3 google maps API, here is a function I use: Note: you must add &libraries=geometry to your script source

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/api/js?sensor=false&libraries=geometry"></script>

Now the function:

//calculates distance between two points in km's
function calcDistance(p1, p2){
  return (google.maps.geometry.spherical.computeDistanceBetween(p1, p2) / 1000).toFixed(2);
}

Answer 2

there is a handy function

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/reference.html#GLatLng.distanceFrom

basically create 2 GlatLng objects then use the above method