7 Google Maps Tricks You Didn’t Know About Yet

Google Maps is an excellent tool to use at home, but especially on the go. Don’t have a GPS in your car? If you have a smartphone, then you do have one. But even if you’re up to date on how to use Google Maps, you’re probably not using it to its fullest potential. Take a look at 7 ways you may not have known to use this helpful tool:

1. Find an ATM

Need to find the closest ATM? Just click on the Google Maps search bar (make sure it’s blank) and press the ATMs button at the bottom of the screen. Maps will then show you ATMs that are closest to your current location. You can do the same thing with gas stations, grocery stores, and more in the same menu of options.

2. Save a Location to Remember Later

If you ended up a cool new restaurant, bar, or other place that you want to remember for future reference, just save the location in Google. Search for your location on Google Maps and click “Save” on the business’s information card. Then when you want to access the location again, just look under “Your Places” in the Google Maps menu.

3. Avoid Tolls and Highways

Don’t have change for tolls? Or maybe you’re not in the mood to do any highway driving? Just select “Options” after you’ve pulled up driving directions to your destination. Then check boxes to avoid toll road, highways, and/or ferries.

4. Check the Train or Bus Schedule

If you’re taking the bus or train, just use Google Maps to give you directions and schedules. Just click on the public transit icon when getting directions to a destination and you’ll get a variety of transit options, including scheduled departure times.

5. Share Your Location with Others

Google Maps allows you to drop a pin in any location that you’re at. And if you want friends to be able to find you, just press the spot on the map where you want the pin to appear. Then press the pin itself and press the “share” button. Send that link via text, email or social media and friends will be able to navigate their way to you.

6. Plan Out a Multi-Stop Route

If you’re planning to make a few stops along your route, you can put in all your destinations at once using Google Maps. After you enter the first location you’re going to, a plus sign should appear below the last destination. Click that icon to input your next location. When you’re done, Maps will offer step-by-step directions for your whole trip.

7. Delete Your Maps History

If you don’t want to keep a record of your location history (which Google automatically does), then you can just visit Google’s Account History website. There, you can toggle various data gathering services on or off.

On the other hand, if you want to remember a place that you visited in the past, you can check out your Location History map.