to head for vs. be headed for

[Boris Tatarenko]

I always wanted to ask you what the difference between these two sentences is.

1) I'm heading for the bus stop. Are you with me?
2) I'm headed for the bus stop. Are you with me?

 

[Raymott]

They would usually mean the same.
However, if it's only a plan (you are not yet headed there), I'd use "heading" because that can have some suggestion of futurity about it.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

I see what you're saying. Can it also be a regional difference? For example, "be headed" is more common in the US whereas "be heading" is more widely used in the UK? What do you think?

 

[Raymott]

Probably not. We use both in Aus.