As I sit at my destop computer and dream about future trips, I'd like to know about the elevation changes, and the challenges that may lie ahead on the road. What are the literal highs and lows?
Well, if you use google maps to find the driving directions, you can also find the elevation profile of the trip rather easily!
Once your route has been calculated on Google maps, look to the upper right hand corner of the screen. There is a "link" icon -- it looks like links of a chain. Click it, and copy the url in the top line. Then go to this site:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/profile_input
In the lower right hand side of the screen, there is a box titled "Or provide the URL of data on the Web: "
Paste the link in there, and click "Draw the Profile"
Presto!!!
For example, this is the profile for Columbus Ohio to Orlando Florida: