Related Articles
Google Maps’ latest update for Android lets you search for gas stations, restaurants and other points of interest along your route without leaving navigation mode. Prior to this update, you would need to leave your turn-by-turn directions to search the map for a gas station, for example, and then jump back into navigation mode. Now, you can search along the way without losing your spot. Google Maps will also show you how long a stop will add to your trip while keeping you on your route.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
The updated app will also now show gas prices at the stations it lists along the route, so you can find the nearest station with the cheapest gas.
To search for a stop while in navigation mode, tap the search button in the upper-right corner. Here, you’ll be able to tap to search for nearby gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores or coffee shops. You can also tap the “Search for more places” option to search by keyword.
If you don’t find, say, a gas station in your current location on the map, you can pan and zoom in and out to search the map. You can also keep a search open as you travel and tap the blue Refresh button in the lower-right corner to see new results.
Tap a search result on your map to add it to your route. If you decide later that, yes, your bladder can wait a bit longer, you can remove a stop by tapping the search button again and then tapping Remove Stop. You will then return to your original route.
Google Maps version 9.16.0, which contains these new features, is rolling out to users now. If it has yet to hit your Android device, you can grab the APK file from Android Police to install it yourself.
