Navigate with Google Maps

Note: Gemini is now available for cars with Google built-in. Compatibility and availability may vary by car manufacturer, language, region, and data plan. For more information, contact your vehicle’s manufacturer.

If your car has Google built-in, you can navigate with Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions, live traffic information, alternative routes, and more.

Tip: Some cars have an activity toggle button on the steering wheel that can display Google Maps on your driver dashboard.

Important: Settings and functionality may vary by car manufacturer, region, and data plan. For more information, check your owner’s manual.

What you need

Note: This information is for cars with Google apps and services built in. Learn which cars are compatible.

To navigate by voice, you must set up Gemini or Google Assistant in your car. 

Google Maps works best when your car is connected to the internet with a mobile data plan or alternative connection. You can also navigate with Maps when your car is offline.

 

Navigate with voice commands

You can talk to Gemini or Google Assistant to control navigation while you drive and ask for things like directions, estimated arrival times, live traffic information, and more. 

  1. Say “Hey Google” or tap the microphone Voice search or spark .
  2. Say what you’d like to do.
 

You can speak naturally when you talk to Gemini. When you navigate or ask questions, you can give Gemini requests that are detailed and complex and ask follow-up questions. Gemini will consider the world around you in its answers.

You can say things like:

  • “I need your help. I'm suddenly craving barbecue. Are there any good spots along my route? Let's say, less than a mile detour.”
  • “I need to grab a bite, find some good taco places along the way.”
  • “I need a restaurant for dinner.”
  • “We've got some extra time. Are there any scenic overlooks on my way to [place]?”
 

You can say also use regular voice commands with Gemini or Google Assistant:

  • “Navigate home.”
  • “When does [name of place] close?”
  • “Avoid tolls.”
  • “Exit navigation.”
Tip: Some features aren't available in all languages and countries/regions.
 

Get started with navigation on your car screen

Start or stop navigation

When you open Google Maps on your car’s display to begin navigation, you can search for a destination or choose a suggested destination.

To start navigation:

  1. On your car's display, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Select a suggested destination or search for a destination.
  3. Tap Start Start.

Tip: Other routes will be shown as gray lines on the map. Tap the gray lines to change your route.

To stop navigation, tap Close Close.

Search for a destination

  1. On your car's display, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Tap the search bar and then Search all destinations Search.
  3. Type in your destination.

Recent places

To navigate to recent places in your car:
  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. To find your Recent places, tap the search bar.
  3. Tap your destination.

Search nearby places by categories

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Tap the Google Maps search bar.
  3. Tap Categories Categories. Then select a category.
  4. Tap the location you want to go to and then Start Start.
Tip: You'll find a list of nearby places and the estimated travel time to get there.

Personal places

To navigate to your labeled home or work addresses:

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Tap the search bar and then Personal.
  3. Tap Home or Work.

You can label or edit your home and work addresses directly from your car:

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Tap Settings Settings and then Edit home or work.
  3. Tap Home or Work and then Edit Edit.

Customize your route in Google Maps

Add a stop along the route

  1. On your car's home screen, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. Tap Explore Explore and then Add stop Add stop.
  4. Find your stop in either of these ways:
    • Select a category. Then tap the location you want to add to your route.
    • Tap Search by voice Voice search. Use voice to search for your stop.
  5. ​Tap Add stop Add stop and then Confirm Checkmark.

Search by category along the route

  1. On your car's home screen, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. Tap Search Search.
  4. Select a category, like a restaurant Restaurant or grocery store Grocery store. You'll find a list of nearby places and the estimated travel time to get there.
  5. Tap the location you want to add to your route.
  6. Tap Add stop Add stop and then Confirm Checkmark.

Avoid tolls, highways, or ferries

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. Tap Route overview Route overview and then Route options Route options.
  4. Tap an option and then Back Back.

Turn traffic layers on and off

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. At the bottom, tap Settings Settings.
  3. Turn Traffic on and off.

Report traffic incidents

Add a report

Important: Some incidents can only be reported in certain countries.

Add a report during navigation

To help improve Maps, you can share info along your route. Reports may appear on the map where you’re on your route.
  1. On your car’s home screen, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. To start navigation, tap Start.
  3. Tap Report .
  4. On the “Add a report” screen, select the type of incident you want to report.
    • ​Crash Crash
    • Slowdown Traffic jam
    • Mobile speed camera 
    • Police 
    • Construction 
    • Lane closure 
    • Object on road 
    • Flooded road 
    • Low visibility 
    • Unplowed road 
Trip reports can be retained but won't be associated with your account. Learn more about how your content is used on Maps.
Tip: Only make a report if it's safe to do so.

Add a report outside of navigation

  1. On your car’s home screen, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Tap Report .
  3. On the “Add a report” screen, select the type of incident you want to report.

Find & vote on traffic incidents reported by others

If another user reports on the Maps, you’ll find it on the map as you move closer during navigation. Based on your alert settings, you might also hear an alert.

When you’re near the incident, you’ll find a prompt that asks “Is this still here?” To let other users know if the report is still true, tap Yes or No.

Turn traffic incident alerts on or off

  1. On your car’s home screen, open Google Maps Maps.
  2. Tap SettingsSettings.
  3. Turn Alert options on or off.

More navigation features

Mute, unmute, or hear traffic alerts only

  1. On your car's home screen, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. At the bottom, tap Settings Settings and then Mute settings.
  3. Choose one of the following:
    • Mute Mute: Mutes voice directions during navigation.
    • Sound Sound: Unmutes voice directions during navigation.
    • Traffic alerts only Alerts: Hear alerts from traffic, construction, and crashes.

Use the compass or recenter the map

  • To switch the map between pointing in the direction you’re traveling and pointing North, tap Compass Compass.
  • To recenter the map to your current location, tap Your location Your location.

Find speed limits

Important: This feature is unavailable in some locations.

You may find speed limit information while using navigation in some areas.

Speed limits shown in Maps are for informational use only. Make sure to confirm speed limits with the posted traffic signs.

Learn more about safety-related driver assistance and electric vehicle features, and how to navigate with Google Maps offline.

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