I am trying to figure out how i would plot a route (from point a to point b) using a google map widget rather than just plotting a point.
No, you can't do that with web google map widget.
But you can use google maps site:
http://www.google.com/maps to generate anything from simple map route (point a to point b) to a mash-up between google map and iweb photos page.
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1) to generate simple point a to point b route:
a) go to google maps site above
b) click on 'Get Directions' link at upper left corner just below google maps logo
c) enter addresses point A and point B, and click 'Get Directions' button
d) google will generate a map with the route, click on the 'Link' button at upper right corner of the map. this will give you codes for email and iframe
e) copy the iframe code and add that to your page using HTML Snippet.
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2) to make multiple points route, you need to sign up for a google account. thats give you access to google 'My Maps' function.
with this function, you can build a map with multiple placemarks (the balloon thingy) and draw lines between them. this can be a tedious process.
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And then there is a fairly complex method to mash up google map and iweb photos page using geotag photos,
KML and iweb generated contents.
this is my example:
http://www.cyclosaurus.com/iWeb2/AlumRock_Park_GoogleMaps.html
click on a thumbnail and it'll popup a balloon, click the image in the balloon and it'll show the image in my photos page (on my site).