The Google Maps smartphone application (iPhone/Android) is useful in many ways, such as searching for nearby facilities and guiding you to your destination. In this article, I’ll show you how to use the basic “Navigation” function of Google Maps, and also explain some of the “hard to understand but quite useful” functions such as avoiding toll roads, adding transit points, and checking traffic congestion.
How to use “My Maps” and “Street View” on Google Maps (iPhone/Android App)
Table of Contents
Three ways to start using Google Maps “Navigation
start by searching for a destination
start with route search
Selecting a driving mode to start (Android)
How to avoid expressways and toll roads (search for routes on ordinary roads)
How to add a transit point
Adding a Stopping Place in Route Search
Adding a Stopping Place in Navigation
How to check traffic conditions (congestion) and aerial photos
My Places function for more convenience
Check the situation by real-time sharing
How to start Google Maps “Navigation” 3 patterns
The navigation function is a feature of the Google Maps app for iOS and Android. It uses location information and other information to provide you with real-time information on your current location and traffic conditions for navigation, and also includes voice guidance. All functions are provided free of charge, turning your smartphone into a free car navigation system.
There are also navigation systems for routes using not only cars but also walking, public transportation, and bicycles, but we will assume that car navigation (so-called driving mode) is used here. There are three ways to start the navigation function.
After opening Google Maps and searching for your destination, tap the route in the lower left corner of the screen to display the route you will take by car from your current location.
You can then tap the ▲ start symbol at the bottom right to start the navigation. Of course, the starting point is not only your current location, but you can also choose any point (search or select from the map).
Download the “Google Maps” application
Google Maps
Download the Android app (Google Play)
Download the iOS app (App Store)
start with a route search
The second way is to start with a route search.
Open Google Maps and click the arrow in the upper right corner.
To do this, open Google Maps and tap the arrow mark in the upper right corner to open the route search screen. Then, select a car from the following options: car, train, walk, or cab, and enter your “starting point” and “destination”.
Tap the ▲ start symbol on the route screen to start navigation. 3.
select a driving mode to start (Android)
In Google Maps for Android, you can start driving mode by tapping the menu button on the upper left.
Start Driving Mode Running Navigation Screen
By selecting this option, you can suddenly access the navigation screen, where you can enter your destination and start driving. You can also create shortcuts on the home screen, so you can call up the navigation system with a single tap.
To create a shortcut, tap the menu button on the search screen and then tap Add route to home screen.
How to avoid expressways and toll roads (search general road routes)
There are many cases when you want to avoid toll roads, such as when you expect heavy traffic congestion on the expressway, or when the time required is almost the same on ordinary roads (down the road). In such cases, you can set up a route search that does not use expressways or toll roads.
To do this, tap the menu button in the upper right corner of the navigation screen to open the menu, and select the route option. Turn on “Do not use expressways” and “Do not use toll roads” (there is also “Ferry” in the “Do not use” option).
This will switch the route to one that does not use toll roads.
As the word “switch” implies, it is not possible to display both routes that use toll roads and routes that do not use toll roads at the same time. If you want to take the expressway from the middle of the route, you need to change the settings and search the route again.
Android version of google maps. In addition to being able to add transit points, when you set the arrival time, the departure time is displayed according to that time.
Adding a transit point in a route search
After entering your starting point and destination to search for a route, tap the menu button in the upper right corner and select “Add stopover” from the menu.
A field to enter a transit point will appear, so enter the place you want to stop by.
You can also select a route from the map, your search history, or free words.
The route will be displayed including the transit points, but you will need to change the order of the transit points since the spots you want to visit are the destinations.
