Key Takeaways
- The new Google Maps function suggests interesting stops along your trip.
- Similar to the current Explore page, the “Explore along your route” function displays locations of interest along with ratings and images.
- It appears that users who are enrolled in the local guide program are the source of the feature’s recommendations.
The new feature on Google Maps should make it easier for you to locate landmarks and helpful stops along your journey.
The way you locate interesting stops along a route on Google Maps is now undergoing significant modifications. Along with the previously added AI capabilities that recommend locations to visit, Google Maps will also display a curated list of on-route sites of interest where you may stop, whether it’s a short ride or a lengthy road trip. This new feature is named “Explore along your route.”
As part of Google Maps’ local guide initiative, the new function integrates user suggestions. According to the official blog post, like the current Explore page, recommended locations based on advice from local advisors are displayed with photographs.
You can already use Google Maps to look up helpful mid-route stops like lodging or dining options, gas stations, supermarkets, etc. The new strategy, however, is different from the existing one and will even incorporate restaurants and lodging facilities in addition to locations like parks, monuments, museums, etc.
When you begin navigation and press the option to add a new stop, the Explore route option is activated. This will display a list of all the well-known and fascinating locations, both as a collapsible overlay card and on the route preview. Similar to before the upgrade, you can search stops en route by tapping the magnifying lens symbol in the upper right corner.
Google did not specify whether the feature would be restricted to particular areas or when it would be generally accessible. Like previous Google Maps upgrades, this one is probably going to be server-side and might not be influenced by the version of the app you are running; however, it’s still advisable to update to the most recent version. Finally, we anticipate parity for both OSes in that regard, as Google has not indicated if the feature is exclusive to Android or also available for iOS.
