Google Maps Gets Long-Overdue Design Update
- Google Maps offers a robust set of navigation settings allowing users to customize their routing experience, from avoiding tolls and highways to choosing different route options and adjusting...
- Google Maps provides several route options to cater to different preferences.
- For example, on January 5, 2026, Google announced a new feature allowing users to prioritize routes with less traffic, even if it adds a few minutes to the...
google Maps is one of those apps that has seen multiple changes over the years. However, the one area that’s untouched is the Settings page. Even though the navigation app received the Material 3 Expressive makeover in phases last year, the Settings page has oddly remained the same for a few years now.
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Google Maps offers a robust set of navigation settings allowing users to customize their routing experience, from avoiding tolls and highways to choosing different route options and adjusting voice guidance.
Route Options
Google Maps provides several route options to cater to different preferences. Users can select routes based on fastest time, shortest distance, or fuel efficiency. Additionally, users can avoid tolls, highways, and ferries. These options are found within the route overview before starting navigation.
For example, on January 5, 2026, Google announced a new feature allowing users to prioritize routes with less traffic, even if it adds a few minutes to the overall travel time, based on real-time data analysis. Source: Google Blog
Google Maps supports various navigation modes, including driving, walking, cycling, and public transit. Each mode offers tailored directions and data relevant to the chosen method of transportation. the app automatically detects your mode of transport, but you can manually select it.
As of December 15, 2025, Google Maps introduced detailed cycling routes with elevation profiles and bike lane information in over 100 cities globally, according to a press release from Google. Source: Google Press Release
Voice Guidance
Google Maps’ voice guidance provides turn-by-turn directions. Users can customize the voice assistant,volume,and frequency of prompts. Options include choosing different voice packs and enabling or disabling spoken speed limits.
In November 2024, Google updated its voice guidance system to provide more natural-sounding directions and clearer warnings about upcoming hazards, as reported by The Verge. Source: The Verge
Offline Maps
Google Maps allows users to download maps for offline use, enabling navigation even without an internet connection. This feature is particularly useful in areas with limited or unreliable cellular service. Users can select specific areas to download, controlling storage space usage.
According to Google’s support documentation, updated January 8, 2026, offline maps can be downloaded for regions up to 120,000 square kilometers. Source: Google maps Help
Reporting and Contributing
Users can contribute to Google Maps by reporting incidents like accidents, speed traps, and road closures. They can also add missing roads or businesses, and provide reviews and photos. This crowdsourced data helps improve the accuracy and usefulness of the map for all users.
In 2023, Google reported that users contribute over 20 million edits to Google Maps daily, according to a statement made during their annual I/O developer conference. Source: Google I/O 2023