Whether you need it for your daily routine or planning a trip, Google Maps has many features that make getting around much easier.
And no, it’s not just about seeing locations on the map or getting directions from point A to point B. Google Maps has many hidden features and tricks that can save you time and headaches. So open the app and start practicing with this selection of the best Google Maps tricks.
Plan your trip itinerary by departure and arrival time
When we use Google Maps to calculate the route between two locations, the app provides key information such as traffic, transportation options, and estimated arrival times. However, this information is based on the exact moment we searched.
So, if you plan to travel in a few hours or even days, this data may not reflect the actual conditions at the time of your departure. An easy way to get more realistic route data is to set your trip’s departure time before the query.
For example, if you plan to leave on Monday at 10 p.m., Google Maps will show you information adjusted for that time, based on previous traffic records. Of course, it’s an estimate, but it will give you a much more accurate idea of traffic . Or if you’re taking public transportation, it will show you available train or bus schedules, adjusted to your departure time.
To set your trip departure time, follow these steps:
- Define your route by indicating the starting point (A) and the destination (B)
- Tap the “Departure” option and set the date and time of your trip
- Click “Define” to update the information
When you apply this change, you’ll see that the trip data shown in the app has changed to match this criterion. You can also set a planned arrival time to your destination so it can show you the approximate departure time .
See what each shopping center offers from Google Maps
You arrive at an unfamiliar airport, and you have no idea if there’s a car rental service available, if there’s a vegan food place on the grounds, or what kind of stores are available to shop at.
A situation that can be repeated in any shopping mall or large establishment when you’re in tourist mode during your travels. The good news is that Google Maps has a feature that allows you to quickly and easily discover everything you can find in a shopping center, airport, or similar location:
- Search for the location (e.g., the airport) on Google Maps
- Go to the establishment’s profile and click on the “Directory” tab.
In this section, you’ll see all the services or internal locations you’ll find within the establishment , divided into categories. For example, restaurants, shops, car rentals, and more. So, just search for the category you’re interested in and see the available options.
And if Google Maps has indoor navigation enabled at that location, you can use it to guide you to the location or service you’re looking for within the establishment.
Find a car or taxi service from the Google Maps app
You probably know that Google Maps shows you different modes of transportation when you specify a destination. These include taxi and car-sharing services .
So, if you’re in an unfamiliar city and don’t know what taxi services are available or how to request them, you can open the Maps app and follow these steps:
- Establish your starting point and destination
- Click on “How to get there”
- Choose the icon of the little man with his hand raised
Depending on the city, it will show you the available companies, the different travel options each offers, the expected travel time, and the estimated price. And if you like one of the options, it gives you a shortcut to open the company’s app.
Save fuel by planning your trip with this option
Whether you have a long commute to your destination and want to save as much fuel as possible, or you prefer eco-friendly routes to reduce carbon emissions, you can use this trick.
When we ask Google Maps to help us plan how to get to our chosen location, it always shows us the fastest route. But there’s another option available: the most fuel-efficient route. This option is a bit hidden, but you can enable it by following these steps:
- Set your travel route
- Click on the top menu to go to “Trip Options”
- Activate the “Prioritize fuel-saving routes” option
- Tap on “Vehicles” and set the “Engine Type” for your car
Taking this information into account, Google Maps will estimate the most convenient route for your car . It will also show you an estimate of how much fuel you could save by choosing a sustainable route compared to the fast route, so you can evaluate whether you want to make the switch.
Create lists of favorite places with your friends
If you’re planning a trip with friends and want to keep everything organized, Google Maps has a trick you can’t miss.
Surely everyone has places in mind they’d like to visit or add to their itinerary. And to simplify and simplify this process, Maps lets you create collaborative lists . For example, you can create a list with your friends called “Trip to Japan,” or something more specific like “restaurants in Tokyo.”
And the dynamics to create these lists is very easy:
- Open the Google Maps app and go to the “Saved” tab.
- Click on “New list” and enter the name you want
- Find the new list in the “Saved” section and click on the three-dot menu
- Click on “Share Options”
- Check “Shared list” and at the bottom “Others can edit this list”
- Click on “Invite editors”
This way, you can invite your entire group of friends to contribute by adding places to visit during your trip. Of course, you can edit this as many times as you like, and even add notes to each place as a reminder.
Create a preview of your trip to avoid inconveniences
When we use Google Maps to plan a trip, the app gives us detailed directions on the route we should take to reach our destination. However, if you’re not familiar with the route, you may want to know in advance where you’re going and have an overview of the journey before setting off.
To use the app to view this information, follow these steps:
- Trace the route from point A to point B
- Choose your means of transport
- Tap the “Preview” option
Once you activate the preview, you’ll see your trip directions at the top of the screen, along with your route’s location on the map. As you progress, you can tap the arrow to continue exploring your route.
This feature allows you to have a mental map of your trip , even if you still rely on Google Maps to avoid getting lost along the way.
Share your location, battery level, and travel schedules
Sharing your location in real time is one of the most useful features of Google Maps, which you can use at any time. Most importantly, it also provides additional details that can be helpful to family or friends who are keeping an eye on you.
How do I share my location with Google Maps? Just follow a few steps from the app:
- Tap on your avatar or profile picture
- Select the “Location Sharing” option. If you haven’t already, you’ll be prompted to turn on location sharing.
- Define how long you want to share your location and with whom you want
After these steps, people with the link will be able to see your location in real time on the map . They’ll also know your phone’s battery level and whether it’s charging. You can even include your arrival and departure times. This is a practical option whether you’re in the same city or traveling halfway around the world.
