Mapquest‘s reputation for providing driving directions has expanded to a one-stop shop for all local content.  This week Mapquest Local was launched in beta.  Their goal was to add more relevant content to a users map and direction experience.  The primary obstacle hoped to be overcome was providing all the local content necessary for users to go about their day without having to visit multiple Web pages. 

Either through personal settings or through your current location, content such as: news, events, city guides, gas prices, maps movies, videos, images, traffic conditions and weather is provided for that area.  The Mapquest local team says, ”Imagine spreading out your Sunday newspaper sections all at once and seeing the highlights of all the sections on one pate.  That’s what the new MapQuest Local brings to you.”

MapQuest Local is built on an open platform that allows anyone to develop widgets for everyone’s use on their home page.   The platform also enables the integration of third-party fees from local businesses, news providers etc.  All of this provides users a source of customizable local content.

To read more about MapQuest local, check out their blog here and here.