Google is rolling out a number of updates to improve the overall driving experience in Google Maps, as the company announced that it will be releasing a major update aimed at simplifying your driving.
According to the "Phone Arena" website, Google Maps is adding an easy-to-identify "Add Stops" button next to "Start" at the bottom of the screen.
Tapping it opens a dedicated "Add Stops to Your Route" sheet, making it easier to plan your stops along the way.
Navigating unfamiliar areas filled with lanes, exits, and intersections can be difficult, and to help you stay prepared, Google's updated navigation system now highlights lanes, crosswalks, and road signs directly on the map.
Google is also adding tools to keep you and other drivers informed. With winter approaching, you'll now be able to see and report weather disturbances along your route, such as flooded areas or low-visibility areas.
When you arrive at your destination, the arrival guidance feature will not only highlight the building entrance, but also show you nearby parking lots and give you the option to "Save Parking."
Additionally, you can now easily get walking directions to the entrance using AR Live View.
You’ll be able to explore your route, see and report turbulence, and enjoy updated arrival directions starting this year on Android
Google Maps is adding a trip summary feature back after it was removed:
If you’re a longtime Google Maps user, you may remember that the app used to provide a trip summary after you arrived at your destination. This summary included metrics you might have been interested in knowing, such as the total distance traveled and the amount of time you spent behind the wheel. However, this feature was removed and is no longer available today.
According to the “Phone Arena” website, a Google Maps competitor, available in the App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android, is offering a trip summary after the app’s latest update. The data you ultimately receive includes your trips’ total distance traveled, average speed, and any changes in elevation that occurred during your trip. On the screen, you’ll see on the map where you started and where you ended.
Google Maps dropped trip summaries in 2022 and we haven’t heard any complaints from Google Maps users who no longer get information about the trip they just completed.
But for now, the rival navigation app gives a summary after each drive that tells you the distance traveled, the duration, and the average speed of the last trip. The app has an average rating of 4.1 after 1.89 million reviews, and on iOS, it has a score of 4.6 after more than 55,000 reviews.