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Four tips to avoid road traffic with Google Maps

Not even leaving in advance we often manage to arrive at our destination on time if there is a traffic jam. And it’s not just being late anymore, but it can also be very stressful to stay in the middle of a caravan of cars. Unfortunately, there is no magic method to help the rest of the cars disappear, but there are always ways to dodge traffic jams.

The popular Google Maps app, which you probably already have installed on your mobile, can be very useful for know the state of the traffic in real time and even plan routes based on the forecast. That is why in this post we review its key points so that it can be of help to you in this area.

Know the current state of the roads

If you want to know the traffic on the road before starting the tripyou can take a look at the options offered by Google Maps by changing the type of map (upper right icon) and activating Traffic in the map details.

Traffic Google Maps

The moment you activate this view, you will be able to see on the map the state of the roads in your area or any other where you are. You can also see them differentiated by colors depending on the influx of vehicles at that time.

You can also choose in advance the route with the least traffic. To do this you just have to choose the destination, click on How to get and different route options will open up for you. By clicking on each one of them and displaying their indications you will be able to see the traffic expected by time zones and choose the one that suits you best in this regard.

Traffic Route Google Maps

Do not close Google Maps during your journey

The normal thing, especially when it is a long trip, is that the state of the road varies over time. Therefore, there may not be the same level of traffic at your exit as there is at the halfway point. Well, it is advisable that you have Google Maps in navigation mode for this, regardless of whether you know the route very well and do not need directions.

This will help you get to know real time traffic alerts. And it is that you may be entering an area where there is already an accumulation of vehicles or even you are already in the middle of a traffic jam, for which Google will ask you a alternative route that, although it may be longer, it saves you from being in the caravan.

This alert system warns you by voicealthough if you have your mobile phone silenced or this option turned off, you can only see it on screen. It will give you something like “There is a route with less traffic” and give you the option to change the current route to that.

Toll yes or toll no, configure your preferences first

Avoid Tolls Google Maps

Going through toll roads has a clear drawback: paying. However, despite the fact that there may be a certain level of traffic at the toll entrance, normally the roads are usually more empty of cars. In addition, these types of roads usually have more lanes, thereby helping to avoid traffic jams.

If you didn’t know, in Google Maps there is the option to choose a route with or without toll and it is important that before you start the trip you have configured this option. To do this you must set the destination, click on How to get and then click on the three points next to the point you will start from to go to the route options.

At this point you can activate or deactivate the option of avoid tollsalso having other settings as the possibility of Avoid highways Y avoid ferries. If you also click on Save settingsyou will not have to review these options on future trips.

Inform other drivers yourself when there is traffic

Report Traffic Google Maps

For some years now, Google Maps has offered the option of report traffic, accidents, works and other circumstances that make the circulation not normal or at least not the one that the browser is marking. It can be very helpful to other drivers if you report it, although we only recommend you do it if you are stopped or, failing that, the person you have as a co-driver in the car does it.

To submit a report you must be in the navigation pane and click on the bullet icon with a ‘+’. Then you will see the possibility of reporting a collision, a radar, a retention, works, a cut lane, an accident vehicle or an object on the road. After this, a few seconds will pass until it is reported, having the possibility of confirming it or canceling it if you made the wrong action.

This action does not prevent you from getting into the jam yourself, but you can help other people in the same situation as yours before arriving. In the end, these types of systems thrive heavily on user engagement and you may have been able to avoid other bottlenecks thanks to a previous report.

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