is there a way to get directions in mkmapview using a built in apple API?

In iOS 7, you can get and display directions using MKDirectionsRequest.

Here’s some sample code for displaying directions from the current location to another map item:

MKDirectionsRequest *request = [[MKDirectionsRequest alloc] init];
[request setSource:[MKMapItem mapItemForCurrentLocation]];
[request setDestination:myMapItem];
[request setTransportType:MKDirectionsTransportTypeAny]; // This can be limited to automobile and walking directions.
[request setRequestsAlternateRoutes:YES]; // Gives you several route options.
MKDirections *directions = [[MKDirections alloc] initWithRequest:request];
[directions calculateDirectionsWithCompletionHandler:^(MKDirectionsResponse *response, NSError *error) {
    if (!error) {
        for (MKRoute *route in [response routes]) {
            [myMapView addOverlay:[route polyline] level:MKOverlayLevelAboveRoads]; // Draws the route above roads, but below labels.
            // You can also get turn-by-turn steps, distance, advisory notices, ETA, etc by accessing various route properties.
        }
    }
}];

If you’re new to iOS 7, you’ll need to implement the mapView:rendererForOverlay: method for any overlay to appear. Something like:

- (MKOverlayRenderer *)mapView:(MKMapView *)mapView rendererForOverlay:(id<MKOverlay>)overlay
{
    if ([overlay isKindOfClass:[MKPolyline class]]) {
        MKPolylineRenderer *renderer = [[MKPolylineRenderer alloc] initWithOverlay:overlay];
        [renderer setStrokeColor:[UIColor blueColor]];
        [renderer setLineWidth:5.0];
        return renderer;
    }
    return nil;
}