Ask the Techspert: Drive with Apple & Google Maps Like a Pro

Smartphones have made getting from point A to point B easier than ever—but most people only use a fraction of what their map apps can do. Whether you’re running errands or traveling abroad, apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps have powerful features that can save you time, money, and stress.

In this article, I’ll walk through some of these smart features and share practical ways to start using your maps like a pro.

Avoid Highways & Save on Tolls

Do you enjoy a more relaxed drive by avoiding highways? Or wish you could save on tolls? Good news—Apple Maps and Google Maps let you customize your route preferences in seconds.

How to do it:

• Apple Maps: Open Settings > Apps > Maps > Under Directions, tap Driving > Toggle options to avoid Tolls or Highways.
• Google Maps: Open Google Maps > Tap your profile picture > Settings > Navigation settings > Scroll to Route options > Toggle Avoid tolls, Avoid highways, or Avoid ferries.

💡 Pro Tip:
You can also adjust these options after entering a destination to apply them to a specific trip—just look for Options or route settings before starting navigation.

Download Maps for Offline Use

Map apps typically rely on an internet connection, which can be challenging when traveling overseas or heading to an area with spotty service. The good news is that you don’t always need Wi-Fi or cellular data to use them.

Both Google Maps and Apple Maps let you download maps for a specific area in advance. Once downloaded, you can search for places and get directions—even without an internet connection.

How to do it?

• Open your preferred map app.
• Tap your profile picture.
• Select Offline Maps. From here, you can view your current offline maps and download new ones. While you’re there, make sure auto-update is turned on to keep your maps current.

Plan Smarter Trips with Multiple Stops

When running errands or planning a day out with multiple stops, there’s no need to start a new trip for each destination.

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps let you add multiple stops to a single route, making it easier to plan your trip and find the most efficient way to get everything done.

How to add multiple stops:

• Apple Maps: Start directions > Swipe up on the route card > Tap Add Stop > Search and add locations
• Google Maps: Enter a destination > Tap the three dots (⋯) > Tap Add stop > Add additional locations

💡 Pro Tip:
Once your stops are added, you can reorder them with a simple drag and drop. As you move destinations around, the app will automatically update your total travel time—helping you quickly find the most efficient route.

You can also search for places along your route—like gas stations or restaurants—without interrupting navigation. When searching for gas, for example, the apps show multiple options along the way, including how much time each location may add to your trip.

To find places along your route:

• Apple Maps: While navigating > Tap Add Stop > Choose categories like gas, food, or coffee
• Google Maps: While navigating > Tap Search along route > Select a category

How to Beat Traffic and Arrive on Time

One of the most powerful and often overlooked features in your map app is the ability to plan your trip in advance.

Both Apple Maps and Google Maps can estimate your travel time based on a combination of current traffic conditions and historical traffic patterns. This means they don’t just tell you how long a trip takes now—they can predict how long it will take later in the day or on a totally different day.

By setting a departure or arrival time, you can avoid peak traffic and know exactly when to leave to get where you need to go on time—no guesswork required.

How to do it

• Google Maps: Enter your destination > Tap the three dots (⋯) > Tap Set depart or arrive time
• Apple Maps: Enter your destination > Tap Leave Now > Choose a different departure or arrival time

What’s Next

• Want to learn more? Join Senior Planet on Zoom on Tuesday, April 21, at 10:30 AM ET for a class on Google Maps.
• You can also join the Ask a Tech Expert group on Senior Planet Community to ask questions and connect with others interested in technology.

In a future Techspert article, we’ll explore how to use Apple Maps and Google Maps for walking directions—perfect for navigating large places like airports, malls, and city streets.

Your Turn

Which of these tips will you try first? Share your experience or favorite map features in the comments—we’d love to hear from you! 🚙

 

Techspert Jonathan is Senior Planet’s Sr. Digital Community Relations and Product Specialist and a former Senior Planet San Antonio technology trainer. He is also an iOS developer with a background in Information Systems and Cyber Security.

Have a tech question that’s got you stumped? Send your tech questions to Techspert Jonathan using THIS FORM. He’ll be tackling one question a month from readers.

 

The content on the Senior Planet website is intended strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement or warranty regarding privacy, security, app permissions, or changes in the app’s terms of service. Please scrutinize each app’s privacy policy, terms of use, data collection or other permissions before downloading or using the app.