I've read almost this entire thread and it doesn't seem like anyone is getting the message.  This has nothing to do with the network.  It started right around when Google started adding streetview and Google Earth
compatibility to Google Maps. I not a programming wizard but I'm guessing that, in order to facilitate the seemless transition between satellite/street/earth there are some scripts running in the background of the client
(or maybe server) that are continuously calculating 3D spatial information that were not necessary when it was just satellite view.  The seemlessness when switching between satellite and Earth is great, but
when just trying to get quick directions or find a business it is excruciatingly painful.  Google, you need to find a way to set the default mode to just satellite view (as it was, say, 4 years ago) and only when users start
engaging other aspects such as street and Earth do you enable that technology.  Otherwise, I'm afraid, you are going to quickly lose your map marketshare to more nimble competitors.  I challenge you to do a
side-by-side comparison with your competition on how long it takes to find a Thai restaurant in Pittsburgh, and get directions from your house, and zoom in to the location, and see who wins.  I know it won't be you.  
Please fix it, I hate having to use Microsoft or Yahoo!.