How Google Maps can make your vacation significantly better

Going on vacation can be stressful. You often have to finish a mountain of work first, then you have to pack your suitcase at the last minute and then there is also stress about all kinds of logistical matters. Take it easy. Google can’t do your work for you (although, if it gets along with Bard, it can), and neither can the packing, but it can make for a more pleasant trip. Here are four ways Google Maps is a great travel companion.

1. Share your ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival).

If you are going to travel with other people or if you are not sure whether you will arrive at Schiphol on time, you can share your ETA (the estimated time of arrival) with others. This way, family members can sympathize with your ride, or fellow travelers can see when they can expect you. How do you do that?

1. Plan your trip in Google Maps
2. Tap the estimated time of arrival and the number of kilometers at the bottom
3. Tap on Share journey progress
4. You can then choose from all kinds of apps and contacts to share. You can also see at See what information is shared what others see.

2. Find good stops

Forgot your slippers, or even worse: your toothbrush? Once you’ve already left your own city, it’s better to buy something new along the way than driving all the way back. If it can wait until your destination, fine, but if you absolutely want to buy something right away, that is also possible. You can view and visit all kinds of useful places along the route in Google Maps. You do this by tapping the magnifying glass while navigating. You will see, for example, gas stations, supermarkets (or actually super markets) and stopping places. That way you will find a toilet or a supermarket faster for your last necessities.

3. Drive sustainably

Sustainable driving is a way to save not only the world, but also money. You can drive much more sustainably by choosing an eco-friendly route. You do that by choosing ; preference for fuel-efficient routes’ under Settings -> Route options. That saves you again, especially when fuel prices are quite high.

4. Check the crowds

If you go to a museum or another place, you can see how busy it is at that time of the day. For example, you can look up the location, tap ‘More information’ and scroll down the business page. Soon you will see how busy it is, so that you can better estimate what a good time is to go to a certain location.

Do you have the travel tip for Google Maps? Leave it now in the comments.

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