Well, for a non-US resident (Canada in my cae), I would say that if I want to know the directions from point A to point B (in Montreal for example), I'd rather use either Yahoo! Maps or Mapquest. The results are better.

Luckily, I know Montreal Streets a little, so I can judge the value of the directions given. And Google never makes the mark for me (almost never the most efficient road.)

However, if I want to see interesting pictures, Google Map/Earth is the best thing I know.