Our Favourite Google Map Tricks And How To Use Them

Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool that most of us use daily. It is an incredibly versatile tool that one can use for everything from finding directions for a memorable travel experience to tracking down a nearby restaurant. Since its inception in 2005, Google Maps has grown so ubiquitous and beneficial that it’s difficult to recall how we moved about without it. But even if you use Maps all the time, there are probably still some tricks up its sleeve that you don’t know about. This post offers you some of our favourite Google Maps tips and tricks and explains how to use them to experience pro travel. These tips are perfect for travellers, explorers, and anyone who wants to get more out of their Google Maps experience. So without further ado, let’s jump in!

1) Download directions in case your phone signal goes down

Google Maps can be an incredibly useful tool, but what happens when you lose your phone signal and can’t access it? There may be times when you’re in an area with no service and need to find an alternate route. This setback can ruin your road trip experience. Luckily, you can download routes ahead of time on Google Maps and save them offline, so you can still get where you need to go even if you can’t use your phone.

If you want to check it out:

• Open the Google Maps app and type in your destination.
• Tap the name or address of the location at the bottom of the screen.
• Scroll to the right and press the Download button.
• Tap Download once more. Offline access to the map for your chosen location is now available.

2) Locate a parking spot for your vehicle

This one can come in handy for a solo road trip tip. One of our favourite pastimes is to head for a drive on a nice day. However, finding a parking spot can be challenging when going to a new place or a busy area. Google Maps has a new feature to help you find a parking space.

If you want to check it out:

1. In the Google Maps app, input the location where you’ll need to park.
2. Select Directions.
3. Zoom in on the location to view all the P symbols in the vicinity of your destination. Press the P key (for parking).
4. Press the Add stop button. The parking location will be added as the first stop on your itinerary, and you will be able to proceed to your next destination.

3) Check Out How Busy Businesses Are

Google Maps is a great way to SEE how busy businesses are and which are the best places to go shopping. You can see the business, its address, hours of operation, and customer ratings. It is an insightful way to determine if a company is worth your time. Allow Maps to show you how long you’ll have to wait before going to the grocery store or your favourite restaurant.

If you want to check it out:

1. Open the Google Maps app, search for your location, or touch it inside your current map view.
2. Tap the business’s name in the white bar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down to the part labelled “Popular times.”
4. There, you’ll see a graph showing the usual crowds for your current day and hour, as well as a live report of how crowded it is right now.
5. You may go forward to obtain typical crowd congestion data for any other day and hour.

4) Explore The Street View Feature

The Google Maps Street View feature is a fantastic resource to help you explore the world around you. With Street View, you can view panoramic images of streets and locations all over the globe. You can also use Street View to preview a destination before visiting it or check out a new neighbourhood before leaving for that much-awaited solo female road trip.

If you want to check it out:

1. In the Google Maps app, search for a place, such as a hotel, where you want to stay.
2. Look for a tiny box with a snapshot of the building in the lower-left corner. It is the area’s Street View, so tap it to see what it looks like.
3. Swiping your finger over the screen allows you to zoom in and out and explore the region.

5) Time Travel in Google Maps

A little digging into the Google Maps code reveals that the possibility of time travel is hidden in the maps themselves. Google Maps provides a little-known function that allows you to view Street View for any place at various periods in the past. This one is only available from the desktop site. While this doesn’t offer a way to journey through time physically, it provides a fascinating glimpse and offers a fictitious memorable travel experience.

If you want to check it out:

1. On the Google Maps website, launch Maps on your computer and select a location.
2. Click on the Pegman, the small yellow figure in the lower-right corner.
3. Drag him up with your mouse and place him anywhere you wish to go.
4. In the grey box at the top left of the screen, look for the clock symbol.
5. When you tap it, you’ll be able to move a slider back in time to see 360-degree views from prior years.

6) When walking, use Live View to direct you to your destination

When walking in an unfamiliar city, it can be hard to know which way to go. The blue dot on the map always points in the direction you’re supposed to go, right? Wrong! The blue dot is not a physical object; it’s just a marker that shows your location on the map. When you’re looking at a map, your blue dot will always point in the direction of your phone. Google Maps has a “Live View” walking navigation option which can be toggled on in the app. This mode displays a live camera feed of your surroundings, orienting you as you walk towards your destination.

If you want to check it out:

1. Open Google Maps and input your destination, then hit Directions.
2. At the top of the map screen, click the walking symbol.
3. Tap the Live View button at the bottom of the screen. It is close to the Start button.
4. Point your camera towards the buildings and street signs (remember, you’ll need to grant the app access to your camera).
5. When you begin walking toward your destination, giant arrows and the street’s name will show on your screen to direct you.

Conclusion

Google Maps is an excellent app for getting around, but there are a lot of features that many people don’t know about. This article proves that Google Maps can be used for so much more. The list comprises some of our favourite Google Maps tricks and how to use them. With these tricks, you can plan your travel experience like a pro. If you want to explore more of what Google Maps offers, embark on a journey and experience it firsthand.

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