I just noticed that when you type directions on google map and click print, the page layout looks differentely. Now you have an overview, start, and end maps on the right side, as well as arrows under directions, and a notes section. It looks better I think than the old one.

Interesting concept... to put an empty textarea on the print page for the user to add their own notes.

The note area is a neat idea, although having the page print right after it loads kinda makes the box useless.

You're right. Someone at Google didn't think this through.

It's also not so simple changing the maps' view on the page to the way you want it to look.