Your next road trip just got easier thanks to Google Maps' AI update

Key Takeaways

Gemini AI is coming to Google Maps to make it easier to navigate to your destination.
Users can ask Google Maps questions about a place, and get AI-generated answers based on reviews.
Google Maps is also expanding Immersive View to 150 cities and adding voice incident reporting to Waze.

I can’t tell you how many times Google Maps has saved me. Whether its avoiding traffic, or finding me the fastest route downtown, it’s one of the best navigation apps out there. It’s not just me either, Google Maps is used by more than two billion users around the world each month.

Now, Google has announced it is adding Gemini AI to Google Maps. Starting this week, you can ask Google Maps questions, and it will respond to you using ideas curated by Gemini AI. So, if you see a restaurant that catches your eye, you can ask Google Maps anything about it, like whether it has outdoor seating, or if it has a quiet or busy atmosphere.

The new AI features on Google Maps will be available on Android and iOS devices starting in the U.S. this week. Finding information about where you’re going, or places on the way, has never been easier and will transform how people use Google Maps.

Google Maps

OS: iOS, Android
Brand: Google
Price: Free

A lack of Wi-Fi signal next to a map icon.

How I navigate with Google Maps offline

You can download your maps and have them ready to go in case you lose service.

Google is making driving a lot less stressful

Thanks to the power of AI, getting from point A to point B will be easier than ever before

Google / Pocket-lint

In addition to being able to ask Google Maps questions, Gemini now summarizes reviews for you, so you can quickly find out about places before you decide to visit them. You’ll see “Ask Maps about this place” when viewing a location. This feature lets users add a question and Maps will use Gemini AI to generate an answer based on what reviews say about the spot.

Google is also making it easier to explore your route before you start driving. After you get directions for a place, tap “add stops.” You’ll then see top landmarks, attractions, scenic spots, and dining options to help plan your drive. I can already see myself using this feature during my next summer road trip. Google is updating Arrival Guidance to make it easier to find the building your going to and find parking. Once you’re parked, Google Maps will automatically give you walking directions to your destination.

Is Google Maps still worth using in 2024?

Google Maps is nearly 20 years old, but regular updates have kept the navigational app competitive.

Perhaps one of my favorite new features Google is adding to Maps is enhanced navigation. This makes it easier to identify road lanes, crosswalks, and road signs more clearly on the map, making driving somewhere new much easier. Plus, with winter fast approaching for many of us, Google is making it so you can report weather disruptions such as flooded, unplowed, or low-visibility roads.

Further, Google is expanding Immersive View to 150 cities. Immersive View uses the power of AI, imagery, and computer vision to let users experience what stadiums, parks, routes, and more look like in advance. Finally, Waze, which is owned by Google, is getting an update that lets users report incidents on the road using their voice.