We all know Google Maps as the reliable guide that gets us from point A to point B, but what if its true potential goes far beyond simple turn-by-turn directions?
Over time, Google Maps has evolved from a basic navigator into a powerful personal assistant that helps me tackle everyday challenges and streamline my routine.
From finding a hidden parking spot in a crowded city to planning the perfect weekend road trip, I have discovered a handful of creative hacks that completely changed how I interact with my surroundings.
Here are my favorite, unconventional uses for Google Maps.
6
Checking live traffic and commute times
While Google Maps is known for providing directions, its real-time traffic monitoring and commute insights are incredibly powerful tools that go far beyond just telling you which way to turn.
It’s like having a personal traffic reporter constantly updating you on the fastest route.
When I travel from Surat to Ahmedabad, I always check the traffic situation around Bharuch. That area is known for having unbearable traffic jams at specific hours.
Before I reach that stretch, I fire up Google Maps, check traffic conditions on the main highway, and if there is too much traffic, I take another route that goes through the city area.
The most obvious benefit is avoiding unnecessary delays. By knowing where traffic bottlenecks are, I can choose an alternate route, even if it’s slightly longer in distance, it could be significantly faster in time.
Besides, there is nothing worse than being stuck in unexpected traffic.
Real-time updates help me manage expectations, plan my journey more accurately, and reduce the frustration of unforeseen slowdowns. It’s one of Maps’ features that made my life easier.
5
Parking spot reminders
Imagine you have just driven into a huge, unfamiliar parking lot – maybe at a new shopping mall, an amusement park, or even a hospital complex.
You find a spot, rush out, and by the time you are done hours later, every row looks identical.
We have all been there, right? This is where Google Maps has become my absolute savior.
It’s incredibly simple. The moment I park, I tap the blue dot that indicates my current location on the map. A small menu pops up where I can save a parking spot as well as details like (Level 3, near Entrance B).
This feature has saved me from countless minutes of wandering around. I no longer need to press the unlock button on my car remote, hoping for a beep.
It removes all the stress and guesswork from finding my car, especially in busy or new places.
It’s also super handy if I’m meeting someone and want to share exactly where I parked.
4
Discovering local gems
When I’m in a new neighborhood, a different city, or exploring a part of my own town I don’t frequent, my immediate instinct isn’t to open a separate review app or ask around randomly.
Instead, my first move is always to open Google Maps and swipe up from the bottom.
This simple action shows the Explore menu right at my fingertips. I can see categories like Restaurants, Coffee shops, Things to do, Shopping, and more. I can tap into any of these, or even just scroll through the general Explore feed.
The magic truly happens when I tap on a place that catches my eye. Immediately, I get a wealth of information: user reviews, high-quality photos, popular times, and even links to make reservations.
It’s like having a local expert whispering recommendations in my ear, without having to ask a single question.
Last year, I was on a business trip to a city I had never visited before. After a long day of meetings, I wanted a relaxing dinner but specifically not a chain restaurant.
I opened Google Maps, swiped up, and started to explore the Restaurant category.
One place, a small Italian spot with glowing reviews, caught my attention. I decided to give it a shot, and let me tell you, that little restaurant was a delight.
3
Creating and sharing a list of places
One of my absolute favorite, and perhaps most underrated, features in Google Maps is the ability to create and share custom lists of places. It’s like having my own personalized, interactive travel guides, all within the app.
When I come across a cool restaurant online, hear about a must-see landmark, or get a recommendation from a friend, my first instinct is to save it. I simply search for the place in Google Maps, tap it, and then tap the Save icon.
From there, I can add it to existing lists like Want to Go, Favorites, and other custom lists. I have lists for Future Travel, Best Brunch Spots, Work Lunch Options, and even Unique Shops to Explore.
I can easily share these lists with friends, family, or travel companies. They get a link and have all my curated recommendations right on their own maps.
Last year, my friends and I were planning a group trip to a different state for a long weekend. We all had different ideas about what we wanted to do. Some wanted historical sites, others wanted nightlife, and I was keen on finding unique local eateries.
Instead of a chaotic group chat, I created a list in Google Maps where we could see each other’s pins and discuss options in the notes. It’s one of the Google Maps features I can’t live without.
2
Utilizing indoor maps
When I’m inside a supported large venue – like a major airport terminal, a large shopping mall, or a massive museum – I open Google Maps and zoom in. As I zoom closer, the map magically transitions from an outdoor view to a detailed indoor floor plan.
I can see individual stores, restaurants, restrooms, elevators, and even specific gate numbers at an airport. I basically have a digital blueprint of the entire building in my pocket.
1
Measuring distance or area
While I mostly use Google Maps to get places, there is a fantastic little feature I have come to rely on for completely different reasons: measuring distances.
It’s not about navigating to a point, but rather figuring out the length between multiple points, or even the perimeter of an area.
The process is simple. I open Google Maps and navigate to the area I want to measure. Then, I long press anywhere on the map to drop a pin. A small menu pops up at the bottom of the screen, and one of the options is Measure distance.
When I select that, a new point appears. I can then drag the map around and tap to add more points along a path, and Google Maps instantly calculates the total distance between all the points.
This feature has become my go-to for planning. As someone who enjoys walking and running, it’s handy for mapping out new routes.
Going beyond directions
Beyond simple navigation, Google Maps has become a crucial tool in my daily life. It has optimized everything from my commute to adventures.
So what are you waiting for? Leverage Google Maps’ lesser-known features, transform how you interact with the environment, save time, and discover new possibilities in no time.
While you are at it, make sure to change these Google Maps settings to get the best out of it.
