Manage your commute in Google Maps

Daily commuting is by nature a difficult thing. You can ease the burden somewhat by learning how to set up and manage your commute in Google Maps. Whether you travel by car, public transport, bicycle or on foot, Maps can help you with your journey. It can warn you of delays and dangers, send directions to others, and even let you take the scenic route by avoiding highways.

Read more: How to measure distance on Google Maps

Add a commute in Google Maps

Open first Google Maps† Then tap the search box to choose your destination.

When your destination appears, tap Travel directions.

Your route appears on the map. If there are several similar routes you can take, the shortest route will be highlighted in blue and slower routes will be highlighted in gray. If you prefer one of the other routes, tap it on the map. Then tap Pin at the bottom of the screen. The next time you tap the search box, your commute will be displayed and you won’t have to retype it.

Manage your commute in Google Maps

There are many ways that Google Maps can help you manage your commute. When you determine your route and tap Get started to start traveling, the map displays important information about the trip. Many of these notifications appear as icons along the route of your trip on the map. These include delays, speed traps and reports from other travelers. For example, Maps here reports an accident en route (using the ‘fender bender’ icon) reducing the top speed to 31 MPH.

Once it knows where you want to go, Maps provides other information, including public transit schedules, the length and average time of any hikes, and road closures that affect your route choices, including those when you’re already on the road.

Change commute settings

Entering your commute as accurately as possible will give you the best results from Maps. There are several places on the screen where you can adjust your settings. The three-dot menu at the top right allows you to change your route options, add a stopover, search along your route (for example, to a certain type of store or a motel), and share your directions with fellow travelers or those at your destination who are expecting you.

Just tap the arrows next to your destination to plan a return trip. You can also change the travel method: Car, public transport, bicycleand to walk†

Manage route options

A useful feature is the ability to prioritize certain aspects of your trip. Here the screen tells us all the travel time and that parking is limited at the destination. It also indicates that the route has been chosen with toll avoidance as a priority. If we tap the arrow to the right, we can change these priorities.

This will open a menu of options that will allow us to avoid highways or ferries, and even see the relevant toll prices so we can make decisions about travel costs versus time.

View your transit

Once you press Get started, you will be represented by a blue arrow (unless you are traveling by public transport), and your route will be marked in blue (blue dots if you are walking). The exception is when the traffic is reported as heavy (marked yellow) or very slow (marked red).

You can see your blue arrow moving along the route as you travel. If you deviate from your route, Maps will immediately reroute you to get you back on track. Remember, it’s safer to use Google Maps audio directions to guide you when you’re driving. Do not look at the screen while your car is in motion.

Monitor your commute with the Google Assistant

Google Assistant is available for Android phones and tablets, Google Home speakers and displays, and even some TVs. It has many routines available for various daily activities, including the Commuting Routine.

The assistant tells you about your commute (and displays it if you’re using an Android TV or Google Home screen) while outlining the day’s calendar activity and playing music or news you’ve selected. Google Assistant is available in the Google Play Store.