Google Maps

What Google Maps does

Google Maps is a navigation and local-search app for finding places, planning journeys and getting directions. It suits drivers, walkers, cyclists, public-transport users and anyone checking a business before visiting. Search for a restaurant, shop, station or other destination, then view its location, route options and available local information in one place.

Useful tools for travel

• Route guidance: Get directions for driving, walking, cycling and public transport, with route changes based on traffic and reported incidents.
• Place information: Browse businesses and attractions using ratings, categories and other listing details. Busy-period information can help with timing a visit.
• Street-level views: Check roads, entrances and nearby surroundings with panoramic imagery where it is available.
• Offline areas: Save map regions for navigation when a data connection is unavailable, including while travelling abroad.

Where it works well

The app combines route planning with local discovery, so it can handle both a daily commute and an unfamiliar destination. Its broad map coverage and large collection of business listings make it useful when the exact address is unknown or when you need to compare places nearby. Live location features can use significant battery, particularly during long journeys or camera-assisted walking guidance.

Grade and reach

Grade: C Google Maps has a 3.17 rating from 19,302,412 reviews. That places it in the adequate range here rather than the top grade, despite its enormous reach. It has recorded more than 10 billion installs and is developed by Google LLC in the Travel & Local category. The scale is clear; the rating shows that popularity alone does not make the user experience consistently excellent.