Google Maps Adds New Features To Help You Plan For Holidays – Now Report Transit Delays, Avoid Low Bridges, Easily Shop with New Product Search

Highlights

• Google Maps introduces features to help users plan for holidays in the US.
• Users would be able to report transit delays, avoid low bridges and search for product in nearby stores.
• Google Maps also shares travel tips for Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas.

If you are in the U.S., Google has taken the time and initiative to help you plan for the holidays better this year. Google Maps is launching some helpful new features just in time for the holidays including the ability to report transit delays and convenient shopping.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Google Maps feature.

When you’re looking at a transit station in the app, you’ll now see a “Report delay” button that lets you select the affected lines. You’ll also see a yellow “Delays” card that shows the number of delay reports and lets you confirm if “there are still delays.”

In addition to crowdsourced information, Google will display delay updates directly from local transit agencies to keep you better informed.

For drivers towing trailers or other attachments, select vehicles with Google Maps built-in, such as the 2024 Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, and GMC Yukon, now offer an option to enter cargo dimensions (like length, width, height, and weight).

This feature allows Maps to suggest routes that avoid low-clearance bridges and tunnels, helping you avoid any tight squeezes or unexpected obstacles. Google plans to expand this feature to more vehicles in the future.

Android Automotive users also get some handy upgrades. You can now plan your route, including charging stops, on your phone and send it directly to your car.

And if you’re unsure about your plug type, you can enter your vehicle’s make and model into Maps on your phone.

This will show compatible charging stations whenever you search for them, saving you time and hassle.

Google explains this in a blog post, “Don’t know your plug type? Just add your vehicle’s make and model into Maps on your phone and we’ll automatically show you compatible charging stations whenever you search for them.”

In other updates, you can now search for specific items in Google Maps and see nearby stores that have them in stock.

This feature covers home goods, electronics, clothing, and groceries. It works much like searching for a particular dish and finding restaurants that serve it, making shopping more convenient this season.

Google Maps’ Trends To Plan Holidays

Google has shared its prediction for this US holiday traffic in order to help Google Maps users plan their travels well and save time.

Here are some of the insights shared by Google.

Thanksgiving Travel Tips:

• Try to start your travel early to avoid busy times. The roads are generally clearest on the Sunday or Monday before Thanksgiving around 8 p.m. local time.
• Avoid travelling on the Friday before Thanksgiving, as traffic is heaviest, especially from 1-2 p.m.
• If you need to drive on Thanksgiving Day, plan to leave before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. to minimize delays.

Black Friday Shopping Traffic:

• Expect the busiest traffic between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Black Friday.
• To avoid the rush, schedule any driving for the early morning or evening instead.

Christmas Travel Planning:

• In the days leading up to Christmas, avoid driving between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. as this is usually when roads are most congested.
• Check Google Maps’ Popular Times trends to find the best and worst times to visit popular holiday destinations and avoid long wait times.

FAQs

Q1. What new features is Google Maps introducing for holiday planning?

Answer. Google Maps is launching features to report transit delays, avoid low-clearance bridges, and search for specific items in nearby stores.

Q2. How does the new “Report delay” feature in Google Maps work?

Answer. When looking at a transit station in the app, users will see a “Report delay” button to select affected lines and a yellow “Delays” card to confirm current delays.

Q3. What are some Google Maps travel tips for avoiding traffic during the holidays?

Answer. Avoid busy times by starting travel early, planning around peak hours on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas, and checking Google Maps’ Popular Times trends.

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