Google brought back a fun feature in Google Maps that was not yet available in the new version of Google Maps – the ability to draw lines on Google Maps and figure out the distance of that drawing on the map.

Here is how it works:

Open the new Google Maps.
Right-click on your starting point.
Click Measure distance.
Click anywhere on the map to create a path you want to measure. Click to add additional measuring points.
[Optional] Drag a point to move it, or click a point to remove it.
Look on the map and under the search box for the total distance.
When done, either click the “X” in the card under the search box or right-click on the map and select Clear measurement.

Give it a try, it works pretty well.

Forum discussion at Google+ and Google Maps Help.