Google Maps Tips to Smooth Out Your Road Trip

Judy Sanhz, a seasoned consumer technology writer, recently shared her experience with Google Maps and how she's optimized its features to make road trips smoother. She uses Google Maps frequently for directions but now prioritizes features that help plan the trip before hitting the road.

The first feature Judy relies on is downloading offline maps when traveling to areas with spotty coverage. This allows her to navigate without relying on a signal, even if it means sacrificing live traffic and alternative route information. Once she has downloaded the map, she checks the recommended route by zooming out while keeping points A and B on the screen.

Judy also uses Google Maps' 'Set depart or arrive time' feature to estimate traffic conditions for her planned departure or arrival time. This helps her plan a better cushion of time in case of unexpected delays. Finally, she likes to plan and reorder stops at home using Google Maps rather than trying to figure it out on the road.