Google Distance Matrix output?

Hi,

I'd like to use Rules to make a call to the Google Distance Matrix, so that it can spit out a mileage between our office and the customers address. Would this be possible? (for use in nodes, and also the Drupal commerce checkout to calculate shipping)

So far, I have this:

https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/xml?origins=TA3,UK&d...

Which returns an XML file.

I guess it needs to be fired, imported, then parsed to extract the distance text value?

I got as far as using the http import, but the XML parser confused me... is there a simpler way??

Many thanks for yout time, Joe