How do I measure the exact distance on map?

Question

I am planning this bike trip, and I am trying to figure out how to measure these zigzag routes in exact values. If it was a straight road, I can just measure it by going over it with a ruler by following the scale, but roads are never straight.

So how do I measure the exact distance on map?

Answer 1

Besides using string or cotton, Google Earth (free) I believe has a feature for you to measure distances, and not just straight.

http://earth.google.com/

Answer 2

You could use a bit of string or cotton, and then measure that.

Answer 3

the string is the best way, or you could look it up in some reference book or online. if you could find anything like that.