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The Covid-19 Pandemic really put us all in a slump. Whether it was work, play or travel- life was at a halt and we all got lethargic and comfy at home. However, now that things are slowly returning to the ‘old normal’ we are all set to pack our bags and take a much needed getaway from home and into the fresh air. The typical yet exciting as always- windows down, music up and party on vibe!
And what better way than to plan it efficiently with Google Maps? Virtual exploration, planning and efficient preparations- Google Maps has it all.
Here are Top 5 ways you can plan your trips efficiently and in a fun way with Google Maps:
Google Maps is not only useful for directions but has a whole lot of other features that can come handy while travelling. Once you add the location you wish to reach, Google Maps shows you all the potential routes you can take to reach your destination in the shortest time. It also displays the different modes of transportations and the time each will consume.
With the drag and drop feature in Google Maps you can easily modify your journey, add multiple destinations and also get best route recommendations in the app itself!
The traffic tracking feature allows you to calculate the time even before you step out. You can set the time of departure and check the time it will take for you to arrive at your destination. The application also predicts the best time to start your trip for a stress free ride.
The ‘Save Trip’ option allows you to plan your routes and save it. Trust me, if you are a pre planner- you can blindly bet on this feature.
If you built the route on your smartphone, select Share instructions from the three dots adjacent to the starting point field. It’s now possible to send it to yourself or others. So when you leave, you simply have to click on the saved trip and start your perfectly planned journey!
Since the mileage and time feature on Google Maps helps you virtually be ready for a long drive, it is important to be mindful when going on longer trips.
Research advises that one should not drive more than 8 hours a day. This includes the short 15 minute breaks you take to stretch your back and legs. With other characteristics like ‘restaurants/cafes near me’ you can easily plan where you can stop for your short breaks!
On arriving at your vacation, you can use the Popular Times and Live Busyness information feature to check when the restaurants around you are most crowded and which place can give you immediate seating. This will reduce your waiting time and help you eat as quickly as possible at your favourite spots!
Remember how Amy Santiago loves all her files in perfectly colour co-ordinated tabs and her things organised to the T? Well, no matter how much we deny it, some of us really take after Amy, don’t we?
You certainly will not mind me swooning over the colour coding and organising options available on Google Maps!
You can use unique icons, layers, and colours to simplify your virtual planning process
For example, a coffee cup icon can be used to represent all of the cafes you add, a bed icon for hotels, and a swimming icon for beaches. Layers can also be used in a variety of ways, such as one for each day of your vacation or one for each category (like dining, lodging, and things to do).
Customisations can be super fun. You can add your own details like photos, notes, website and other info to your custom map too. When you add a location to your custom map, you will be able to see its website, phone number, address, reviews, and website if it’s on Google.
Once we get comfy in our hotel rooms, stepping out can feel unnecessary, even on trips. To add to this dilemma if the attractions of the city you picked are far from the hotel/lodge you’re stationed at – one can really feel the frustration kicking in.
In order to save yourself from this situation you can create your itinerary on Google Maps and also plan your trip day-wise- in detail. Virtually explore and book hotels that are close to the attractions you plan on visiting and the famous places you can eat around.
Google Maps allows you to avoid high priced tolls while navigating your destination. To steer clear of such routes you can simply click on the three dots on the top right corner and click on the ‘Avoid Tolls’ option. This feature displays the estimated tolls prices of the different routes and helps you select the best option.
With the gas prices hitting the ceiling, people are being more mindful of driving longer routes. When it comes to gas, every penny makes a difference. You can virtually put stops at gas stations on your journey. Look up the gas stations that fall in your way and pick the best option.
Keep your tank filled for a little longer by using the most fuel efficient routes recommended by Google Maps. To enable fuel-efficient routes, tap the three dots on the directions page, then select ‘Route choices’ and enable ‘Prefer fuel-efficient routes.’
In the Google Drive account you’re using, Maps saves a duplicate of the map. If you use Google Docs or folders to organise your trip planning information, documents, images, or itineraries, having your map in the same folder is convenient.
If you are going on a group trip, Google Maps makes it easy for you to share the journey details with your friends. You can also embed the links to your social media after changing the privacy settings in order to share it with the world.
Tacky reception and expensive data plans can be a serious problem on the road. Do not worry about getting lost in the wrong direction if you lose your internet connection. To avoid such a situation, you can simply download your maps in advance – just to be safe.
To do so, go to Maps, press your profile image, then Offline maps, and then Select your own map. Adjust the map to cover the area you’d like to download from here, and it’ll be ready for you to use on your trips.
From saving your time, money and extra unnecessary energy, Google Maps adds high value and essence to your trip. Since it is important you have a great time on your trip, Google Maps can become your best friend and make sure you only spend your time and energy on the best.
Not just during your trip but even after- Google Maps shows you the pictures you captured at different locations and helps you save the memories you made on your journey!
Now that you know what Google Maps has to offer, you must be raring to go on your next trip, and try out all the features. Share your knowledge with your friends and organise the best trips for yourself, your friends and family. Cleartrip is here to manage the rest, and help you make the best travel decisions!
Yes. All data on Google Maps is accurate and added according to the data of the several routes/destinations available on Google itself. However if you spot misinformation or missing information, you can directly let it be known via Google Maps itself.
Yes. If you are looking to plan a journey, your location is important to kick start the process.
Yes. Google Maps allows you to make your own custom maps and add custom widgets/personal info etc.
1. Make sure you have the latest version of the app.
2. Clear the cache and data of the app from settings.
3. Try restarting the app.
Yes, you can simply download your maps in advance so that you don’t have to worry about tricky internet connections while on the road. To do so, go to Maps, press your profile image, then Offline maps, and then Select your own map. Adjust the map to cover the area you’d like to download from here, and it’ll be ready for you to use on your trips.
