Embedded Google Maps or static stylized map

Embedding Google Maps on your website doesn't always have the right effect on the design. With some effort you can stylize Google Maps, but I have bad experiences with that.

To me, the only real reason to embed the Google map is the interactivity and the fact visitors can easily plan a route.

When I'm advising clients what to use I name the aesthetic value of the static stylized map and the interactive possibilities of the Google map. Most of the time they don't question my advice and go for the Google Map, but recently a client asked me about the usage of the Google map. How often do visitor actually use the interactive possibilities of the Google Map? I couldn't answer.

My personal experience is that I never use any Google maps on websites. Often they are 300x500 pixels and just too small to use easily. The Google Maps website is often more clear with the big, window filling, map.

Does anyone have any statistics or experience with this issue? (I couldn't find any)