Fun mapquest observation. Most men print off maps. Most women print off directions.
Ask around. This is almost universal.
I have a suspicion about the reason: Women want someone to tell them how to get there. Their ultimate goal is to get there. Men want someone to tell them where it is and then take responsibility for finding their own way. It is a fun challenge and men get satisfaction from the "accomplishment".
You're close. The reason isn't psychological, it physiological. The whole "Men are visual, women are dialog-driven". Also, there have been studies that have shown, even before mapquest, men dealt with directions (North, south, etc) and women dealt with landmarks.
When men give directions, they say "Go east on Main for 4 miles, turn south on Maple, go 2 miles, it's on the left",
Whereas women will say "Go down Main, you'll see an Exxon Station, if you see the Methodist Church, you've gone too far; Turn at right when you see the BP station, drive down Maple, past the elementary school. It'll be on the left, next to the ice cream shop."
We're wired that way.
Funny thing is, now that we've bought a gps, my wife and I are both happy. I get map based navigation (and don't have to stop to ask for directions), and my wife gets someone to talk to her. :)
Once you're off route, the printed directions are darn near useless.