When deciding on a navigation route, there are a few factors to consider: Who will be the quickest? Which one has the shortest distance? Google Maps can also show you which route will save you the most money on gas.
Google Maps considers factors such as road incline and traffic congestion to determine which routes are the most fuel-efficient. It is not as simple as selecting the route with the fewest miles. By default, Google Maps will favor these environmentally friendly routes if the estimated time to arrival (ETA) is close to the fastest route. You can also choose these routes manually.
- To begin, launch Google Maps on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Tap “Directions” after you’ve found the location you want to visit.
- You will now see a few different routes you can take. If Google Maps has already chosen the most fuel-efficient route, a leaf icon will appear on the blue highlighted route.
- If the most fuel-efficient route isn’t already selected, tap it to make it your default.
- After selecting the desired route, tap “Start” to begin turn-by-turn navigation. You’re almost there!
It’s a shame that Google isn’t including this feature in the desktop version of Google Maps. Yes, it’s a navigation feature, which means you’ll most likely be using it in your car on your phone. However, it would be nice to be able to plan on the desktop, and it is possible to send directions from the desktop to your phone.
Regardless of whether you’re trying to be environmentally conscious or simply want to save money on your next road trip, this is a useful tip to know. Google Maps has a plethora of tools for making road trips more enjoyable.