Founded in 1967 as a cartographic service provider called R.R. Donnelley & Sons’ Cartographic Services, MapQuest transformed itself into a digital mapping pioneer in the mid-1990s. In 1996, it launched its first website, MapQuest.com, offering online mapping services that were revolutionary at the time. This innovation provided users with turn-by-turn driving directions, a feature that was groundbreaking in the pre-smartphone era.

Over the years, MapQuest has evolved to adapt to technological advancements, competing with giants like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. Despite stiff competition, MapQuest continues to serve millions of users by providing dependable navigation tools and directions.