Since its launch, Google Maps has arguably been the best navigation app. It’s packed with exciting features, provides detailed information, and is widely available. Despite everything it already offers, the company is still working to improve its service, thanks to stiff competition and our ever-increasing reliance on navigation apps.

Google Maps has some great features that improve navigation and exploration on the platform. Here, we'll take a look at 12 of these features.

1. Toll Prices

Google Maps has been showing toll-free routes for some time now. However, a newer feature shows you the toll prices you’ll have to pay on different routes.

Thanks to this feature, you can find out how much you’ll be paying for a toll beforehand, and decide whether it's worth taking the longer route to avoid tolls. However, note that these are estimated prices only, which Google pulls in from the toll authorities.

It’s worth mentioning that Google Maps will still display toll-free routes wherever possible. And you can still turn on Avoid Tolls to only view toll-free routes. Currently, the feature is rolling out for around 2,000 roads across the USA, India, Japan, and Indonesia.

2. Mall and Airport Directories

You can use Google Maps to view the stores and businesses present in any mall, airport, or transit station.

To find the list of stores in any large building, search for it and go to the Directory tab. Here, you can see the businesses, services, and facilities (like parking) in that particular building.

You can also view the detailed business information here, as you would find for any other store. Though Google has rolled out this feature across the globe, you might not find the Directory tab for every mall or airport due to limited data.

3. Eco-Friendly Routes

Traveling comes at a higher cost than tolls. Considering how many people are now concerned about the impact of their trips on the environment, Google Maps shows the most fuel-efficient route.

According to Google, this feature can reduce one ton of carbon emissions annually. Besides decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, it can also help you reduce your fuel costs. Win-win, isn’t it?

Apart from the most fuel-efficient one, Google Maps will still display the fastest route, so it's up to you to pick. The feature was launched in the USA last year and will be introduced to Europe and other regions this year.

4. Insurance Information

Anyone with health insurance would rather go to the hospital that accepts their plan. Therefore, Google Maps shows what insurance plans are accepted by hospitals.

Search for any clinic or hospital, go to the About tab, and scroll down to tap on Check Insurance Info. Google Maps will display all the insurance companies and plans that the hospital accepts.

Besides this, it now lets you filter health care providers that accept Medicare.

5. Lite Navigation for Cyclists

With more people choosing cycles to travel, Google Maps is working to improve their navigation experience. To that end, it has the Lite Navigation feature for cyclists.

Thanks to this feature, Google Maps won’t show your turn-by-turn directions during your journey, but only the important details. The Lite Navigation displays the estimated arrival time, trip progress, and route elevation.

This makes it easier for cyclists to stay on the top of their journey without being distracted by step-by-step instructions. This feature is available in all the areas where cycling routes are supported.

6. Traffic Lights and Stop Signs

Google Maps was experimenting with traffic lights by showing them to US-based Android users for some time. Since then, Google officially rolled out the addition of traffic lights and stop signs for all users.

Android, iOS, CarPlay, and Android Auto users can view the detailed maps with traffic lights. But that’s not it. Google Maps will also display the outline of buildings, areas of your interest, and the shape and width of the road.

This is surely a lifesaver, especially for those who prefer staring at their screens while driving. The feature is currently available in selected countries.

7. New Pinned Trip Widget for iOS

Thanks to pinned trip widget, Google Maps has made navigation much simpler for iOS users. The pinned trip widget shows you pinned trips directly from the home screen.

This widget will show you the arrival time, suggested routes, and departure time for transit trips.

google maps logo on apple watch
Credits: Smart Mockups

Whether you like to leave your phone at home or prefer keeping it in your pocket, you’ll love this feature. Google Maps allows you to navigate directly from your Apple Watch.

You can begin navigation from your Apple Watch by just tapping on the Google Maps icon. As announced by Google itself, the feature will support the Take me Home complication.

Another feature Google Maps offers for iOS users is integration with Siri and Spotlight. You can ask Siri to get directions or search for a place on Google Maps. But you’ll first have to create the shortcut.

10. Area Busyness

Google Maps’ live busyness reports have been helping us avoid crowded business and traffic jams. But now, with the area busyness feature, Google Maps displays the busiest times for any area.

Additionally, you can view how busy any particular area is at any given time of day.

11. Food Bank Support

With many Americans suffering from food insecurity, Google Maps played its part by improving the information about food banks and pantries.

In partnership with WhyHunger and Hunger Free America, it shows several thousands of food banks to its Maps. Besides this, it’s working actively to ensure that accurate, updated information is present about these food banks.

12. Wildfire Layer

The Google Maps Wildfire Layer shows the latest details about all wildfires at a glance. By choosing the Wildfire Layer from layers, you can see the areas that are currently affected by the fire.

Click the fire icon to get more information like current status, reported time, and acres burned. The feature is currently available in the USA and Australia, with more countries coming soon.

Google Maps Keeps Getting Better

The addition of these features makes it simpler to navigate your way home or explore the world. Considering how much our life depends on it, it’s encouraging to see new, handy features being added frequently to Google Maps.

Other than trying these new features, it’s worth checking out the hidden, secret tricks of Google Maps.