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Improve your commute with up-to-the-minute traffic updates
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Whether you want to know which roads are clogged up in a certain area or need to find the most traffic-free route for your commute, you can use Google Maps to get real-time traffic information easily. This guide will teach you how to check traffic on Google Maps using the mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad or your web browser on a computer.
See Traffic in Google Maps: Easy Steps
Search for a location, tap the Layers icon (the overlapping diamonds), and select "Traffic" to see current conditions. If you're commuting, search for the destination and tap "Directions" to find the most traffic-free route.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Using the Mobile App
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Search for a location. When you open the Google Maps app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad, the map will automatically center on your current location . If you want to check the traffic in another area, use the search bar to search for a city or region.
- Traffic conditions are not available in all areas. [1] X Research source
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Tap the Layers icon. It's the two overlapping diamonds at the upper-right corner of the map. A list of details you can display on your map will appear.Advertisement
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Select the Traffic layer. This displays traffic conditions for the current area on the map.
- A red line indicates high traffic, yellow or orange means medium traffic, and a green line indicates a clear route.
- To minimize the Layers window, tap the X .
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Check the traffic along a driving route. If you want to check the traffic for your commute to the selected location, tap Directions , and enter your starting point (if different from your current location) to get directions . Google Maps will recommend the best route based on real-time traffic information, distance, and other factors.
- Tap the white box at the bottom (or drag it up to expand it) to display extended traffic predictions for the next two hours, and any known slowdowns on the route. [2] X Research source
- When you're checking out a potential route, parts of the route without traffic will appear blue . Medium traffic appears orange , and heavier traffic is red .
- If multiple routes are available, alternate routes will also appear in a lighter blue, along with time predictions.
- To see how traffic might change based on the time you leave or want to arrive, tap the three horizontal dots •••, select Set depart or arrive time , and choose a departure or arrival time.
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Section 2 of 3:
On a Computer
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Search for a location. When you open https://www.google.com/maps/ in your web browser, Google Maps will center the map on your current location. If you want to check traffic in another location or along a driving route, search for the location or destination now.
- Traffic conditions are not available in all areas.
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Hover your mouse cursor over "Layers." At the bottom-left corner of the map, you'll see a square labeled "Layers." When you hover the mouse over this square, a few map detail options will appear.
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Click Traffic . This adds traffic information for the current area to the map.
- A red line indicates high traffic, yellow or orange means medium traffic, and a green line indicates a clear route.
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Check the traffic along a driving route. If you want to see if there's traffic on the way to a destination, click Directions in the left panel, enter your starting point (if different), tap Directions , and enter your starting point (if different from your current location). Google Maps will recommend the best route based on real-time traffic information, distance, and other factors.
- When you're checking out a potential route, parts of the route without traffic will appear blue . Medium traffic appears orange , and heavier traffic is red .
- To see how traffic might change based on the time you leave or want to arrive, click the Leave now menu above the route list to enter a different departure or arrival time.
- If multiple routes are available, alternate routes will also appear in a lighter blue, along with time predictions.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat do yellow and orange indicate?Community AnswerGreen indicates minimal to no traffic, yellow indicates moderate traffic, orange indicates heavy traffic, and red indicates severe traffic.
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QuestionWhich roads does Google Traffic mostly cover?Avicii GBCommunity AnswerIt mostly covers starting from mid-busy to all roads. It does not monitor rural areas if the population is under 20,000.
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QuestionCan people track me on Google Maps?Community AnswerNo. All traffic data is anonymous, and it won't tell you any names or any other personally identifying information.
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Tips
- Traffic conditions are only available for major roads and arterial roads.Thanks
- If you're using real-time navigation to get to your destination, Google Maps will continue to monitor traffic and update you on worsening conditions. In some cases, the app will suggest a detour to help you beat the snarl-up.Thanks
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