Google Maps can do more. Here’s how to customize it

Organize lists with your favorite spots

Saving places in Google Maps is simple and helps you keep track of all your favorite spots. You can create lists of locations, such as restaurants, parks, or landmarks, to quickly access them later.

These lists make your map easy to navigate. When planning trips or finding a place on the go, you can see all your saved locations neatly organized in one place.

Turn screenshots into a travel guide

On iPhone/iPad in certain countries, Maps can scan your screenshots (with Gemini) to find places and save them to a list. You can then save these directly to a custom list for easy access.

This feature turns your research into a ready-to-use itinerary. You can quickly reference all the spots you plan to visit without switching between multiple apps.

Check ETAs for home and work quickly

Using Google Maps widgets (e.g., on iOS), you can pin frequent trips like Home/Work and see real-time ETA on the Home or Lock Screen. It helps you know exactly when to leave to reach your destinations on time.

You can also customize the icons for these locations. A simple setup gives you quick insights into traffic and travel time without opening the full app.

Plan trips around your schedule

Google Maps allows you to set desired arrival times for appointments or reservations. The app calculates when you need to leave and guides you accordingly.

This ensures you arrive on time, every time, feeling organized. It’s helpful for dinner plans, meetings, gatherings, appointments, or any time-sensitive travel, reducing stress during your day.

Find the best places for taste and budget

When looking for restaurants or coffee shops, you can filter by options like “Open Now,” “Accepts Reservations,” and price range. Maps help you pick spots that fit your preferences.

This feature saves time deciding where to go. You can tailor results to your tastes and budget, making it easier to enjoy meals without compromise.

Customize your navigation experience

Maps lets you replace the standard navigation arrow with a custom driving avatar (vehicle icon). You can choose different styles to make your driving experience more personal.

This adds a bit of fun to your journeys. It also helps you quickly spot your location on the map while driving without changing the underlying navigation features.

Choose routes your way

Before starting a trip, you can select route preferences like avoiding tolls, highways, or ferries. Maps also support HOV lanes and fuel-efficient options depending on your vehicle type.

These settings give you control over your drive. You can find routes that fit your priorities, whether you want speed, cost savings, or environmental efficiency.

Get helpful direction hints on the go

Glanceable directions show quick navigation hints on your lock screen while en route. Maps provides reminders like upcoming turns or exits without opening the full app.

This feature keeps you focused on the road, reducing distractions. It ensures you don’t miss turns and helps you follow your planned route more confidently and safely.

Save time with voice commands

You can use voice commands in Maps to search for places, start navigation, or check traffic without typing. This keeps your hands free and your focus on driving. This is especially useful when you can’t easily type, helping you stay hands-free.

Voice integration simplifies the experience. It helps you quickly get information and directions without interrupting your journey or workflow.

Create shared lists for group trips

You can make lists in Maps that are shareable with friends or family. These lists allow everyone invited to contribute their own ideas, add new locations, and make notes. As changes are made, all participants can see updates in real time.

Shared lists streamline planning. They prevent confusion when coordinating trips and make sure everyone is on the same page about destinations.

Get real time traffic updates

Maps provides live traffic data for your routes, alerting you to delays or accidents. You can adjust your travel plans accordingly to avoid slowdowns.

This helps make every journey more efficient and stress-free. By using up-to-date traffic information, you can avoid unexpected delays, plan your route ahead of time, and adjust on the go if conditions change.

Integrate public transit info

Maps show transit options and, in many cities, real-time bus and train departures. You can plan your route using public transportation efficiently.

This feature makes commuting or exploring unfamiliar cities much easier and less stressful. You can view all available transit options in one place, including buses, trains, subways, and rideshares.

Save favorite places offline

You can download map areas for offline use on Android and iOS. You can access navigation and saved locations even without an internet connection.

Offline maps are especially useful when traveling abroad or in places where mobile connectivity is limited or unreliable. By downloading maps ahead of time, you can navigate streets, find landmarks, and follow routes without needing an active internet connection.

Use timeline to review past trips

Maps keeps a history of places you’ve visited. You can review past trips to see routes, duration, and locations visited.

This feature is great for reflecting on past trips or planning repeat visits to your favorite destinations. It allows you to easily track your travel patterns, see where you’ve been, and revisit memorable spots without having to remember every detail.

Curious how Google is making big moves beyond YouTube? Its market value just soared by more than $230 billion in only four days.

Make Google Maps truly yours

With all these features, Google Maps becomes more than navigation. You can tailor it to your schedule, preferences, and travel style for a personal experience.

Customizing Maps lets you tailor your navigation experience to fit your needs, saving time and making planning trips much easier.

By personalizing your routes and information, you can get around smarter, make better decisions on the go, and enjoy smoother, more efficient journeys every day.

Want to see how big tech is handling scams? Dive into how the EU is keeping Apple, Google, and Microsoft in check.

Excited to try out these features? Drop a comment and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to hit that like button.

Read More From This Brand:

• Anthropic’s $183B valuation shows AI boom
• Is Perplexity’s new browser better than Google?
• Apple may use Google Gemini to revive Siri assistant

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

If you liked this story, you’ll LOVE our FREE emails. Join today and be the first to get stories like this one.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.