I don't seem to be able to phrase my query to get the answer to this on Google:
If I set a route plan and start my journey allowing Google Maps to give me audio cues for each turn, will it change the route if a major holdup arises ahead and there is a way round it? I've not used the softwaret enough to find out the answer in practice.
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Yep.
It is also supposed to know (and thereby cater for) planned closures. But not so many years back it didn't know that the M4 was closed overnight near me.
Last edited by: smokie on Wed 14 Apr 21 at 21:33
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As a former professional driver covering upwards of 100,000 miles a year, I am probably qualified to answer this question.
Yes, Google Maps will alter the planned route if the traffic some way ahead builds up and a faster route is available. It's not foolproof by any means, and is quite slow to take rapidly building traffic into account (such as on a motorway suddenly blocked by a big pile-up).
You would find the Waze app useful. The map colours are different, and it takes a couple of minutes to set up when you've first downloaded it (type of vehicle, fast/economical route etc), but its routing ability and traffic-avoidance are leagues ahead of Google Maps.
Waze will show drivers a progress bar in long queues, and also in average speed camera zones. It also has a small GPS speedometer shown at all times. Waze is actually owned by Google, and a some of its data (such as locations of current accidents) are fed across into Google Maps in real-time.
I find Google Maps better for planning a route before setting off, but Waze is better for navigation on the move.
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Thanks very much, both of you. I'm trying to persuade a new iPhone owner to use it in this way for a long trip he's about to do. He's done it before, but I've done the plan myself and can see a spot where he may be better on the day to deviate from his normal route.
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>>I find Google Maps better for planning a route before setting off, but Waze is better for navigation on the move.
I think that's probably fair, but overall I prefer Google Maps. It may occasionally not quite nail the best route but it very rarely entirely screws up.
Waze is capable of getting itself in a proper knot and requiring a restart.
Google will pretty much always detect a better route, but sometimes it merely offers it to you with a "n minutes shorter" message and you have to actively choose it.
As an aside, we do all know who owns Waze, don't we?
Last edited by: No FM2R on Wed 14 Apr 21 at 23:47
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My marginal preference is Waze (for the little mileage I do these days) and I like the additional info, like police ahead or car stopped on shoulder. Many years back Waze did used to be less reliable but I started using it when I started going to Portugal and much preferred it there.
I did use Google the other day and I see there is a car where I currently am rather than whatever it was before! (A dot?)
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With the latest iOS update, Apple Maps has now gained some Waze/Google-like functions: accidents, police presence etc in real time. I went out on a 110-mile jaunt today, but forgot to try it.
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Using Google Maps on iPhone as a sat-nav - smokie
