How I use Google Maps in Android Auto to beat traffic and save time

I cover Android with a focus on productivity, automation, and Google’s ecosystem, including Gemini and everyday apps. With a background in engineering and software development, I tend to go beyond surface-level tips.
Before joining AP, I wrote for tech publications such as Gizbot in 2023 and iJunkie (formerly known as iPhoneHacks) from 2021 to 2022.

I use Google Maps in Android Auto almost every time I drive, but I recently realized several Maps features can save me time before and during a commute.

From pulling up saved places and recent destinations to checking live traffic, choosing smarter routes, and finding nearby essentials without fumbling with my phone, these tools make a bigger difference than you might expect.

Here are the Google Maps features I use in Android Auto to make every drive a little quicker, smoother, and less stressful.

I use Saved and Recent to skip searching for destinations

Skip the search

One of the easiest ways I save time with Google Maps in Android Auto is by not searching for the same places.

Think about how often you drive to work, head to your favorite coffee shop, visit a supermarket, or return to a place you have been to before.

I save places I know I will visit again so I can find them later without remembering the exact name or address. Home and Work are useful shortcuts for regular commutes, while saved places make it easier to pull up restaurants, shops, and other destinations I might want to revisit.

To set this up, open Google Maps on your phone while parked or before you leave. Search for a place, tap its name or address at the bottom of the screen, select Save, and choose a list.

After you connect your phone to Android Auto, open Google Maps on your car's display, tap the search bar, and select Saved to access your saved places.

To return to a place you recently searched for, tap the search bar and select the destination from Recent.

I check live traffic before committing to a route

Here's how to find a faster route

I don't like discovering that I've picked the slower route only after I'm stuck in traffic. That's why I rely on Google Maps' live traffic information in Android Auto.

I use the traffic view and estimated arrival time to get a better idea of what lies ahead and whether another route might get me to my destination sooner.

Google Maps uses color-coded roads to indicate traffic conditions: green generally means traffic is moving smoothly, orange indicates slower traffic, and red signals heavier congestion.

These colors make it easier to spot potential bottlenecks at a glance.

After connecting my phone to Android Auto and opening Google Maps on the car's display, I enter my destination, compare the available routes and their estimated travel times, and then set off.

To check the traffic layer in Android Auto, tap the cog icon (Settings) in Google Maps and toggle on Traffic. Check the traffic colors along the route to see whether a different option is worth considering.

I prefer to do this while parked rather than fiddling with the screen after I'm moving.

I find gas stations, parking, and coffee without starting a new search

Search for stops without losing sight of the destination

Sometimes, the quickest route isn't everything I need Google Maps for. I might be running low on fuel, looking for parking near my destination, or craving a coffee during a long drive.

Instead of abandoning my existing directions and searching for a new destination, I can use Maps in Android Auto to find these places along the way and add a convenient stop to my trip.

With Google Maps open on my car's Android Auto display, I start navigation to my destination. Then I tap the search icon, select Categories, and choose a category, such as gas stations, parking garages, or coffee shops.

I browse the results, choose a location, and tap Add stop to include it in my route.

When I search for a place along my route, I can compare the available options and see how much extra travel time a stop might add. That makes it easier to choose a gas station or coffee shop that won't send me miles in the wrong direction.

I can also use voice search when I want to find something specific. For example, I can ask Gemini to find gas stations along my route.

I use voice commands instead of typing

Gemini to the rescue

Typing an address on a car's touchscreen feels unnecessarily tedious, especially when I'm running late. Even finding a nearby place can involve tapping through menus and scrolling through search results.

With Google Maps in Android Auto, I can skip much of that effort by using voice commands to get directions, check traffic, or find somewhere to stop along the way.

I can ask for directions to a specific address, navigate home, check my estimated arrival time, or look for a coffee shop along my route.

I say "Hey Google" or press and hold the voice command button on the steering wheel.

I then say what I need, such as "Navigate to the nearest gas station," "Find coffee shops along my route," or "What time will I arrive?"

I set my destination before I leave and use voice commands to make adjustments along the way.

These Google Maps features make every drive easier

Saving time on the road doesn't always mean finding a faster route. Sometimes, it's about avoiding a traffic jam, finding a gas station without interrupting navigation, or using voice commands instead of tapping through menus.

Ultimately, the goal is to interact with your dashboard less often.

My biggest tip is to check your route and settings in Maps before leaving, rather than waiting until you're stuck in traffic to look for alternatives.