3 Ways to See Live Traffic Conditions on Google Maps

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Improve your commute with up-to-the-minute traffic updates

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using the Mobile App
|
• On a Computer
|
• Using Google Maps Traffic Widgets
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Whether you want to know which roads are clogged up in a certain area or need to find the most traffic-free route for your commute, you can use Google Maps to get real-time traffic information easily. This guide will teach you how to check traffic on Google Maps using the mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad or your web browser on a computer.

See Traffic in Google Maps: Easy Steps

Search for a location, tap the Layers icon (the overlapping diamonds), and select "Traffic" to see current conditions. If you're commuting, search for the destination and tap "Directions" to find the most traffic-free route.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Using the Mobile App

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1. 
   1
   Search for a location. When you open the Google Maps app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad, the map will automatically center on your current location. If you want to check the traffic in another area, use the search bar to search for a city or region.

   • Traffic conditions are not available in all areas.
2. 
   2
   Tap the Layers icon. It's the two overlapping diamonds at the upper-right corner of the map. A list of details you can display on your map will appear.
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3. 
   3
   Select the Traffic layer. This displays traffic conditions for the current area on the map.

   • A red line indicates high traffic, yellow or orange means medium traffic, and a green line indicates a clear route.
   • To minimize the Layers window, tap the X.
4. 
   4
   Check the traffic along a driving route. If you want to check the traffic for your commute to the selected location, tap Directions, and enter your starting point (if different from your current location) to get directions. Google Maps will recommend the best route based on real-time traffic information, distance, and other factors.

   • Tap the white box at the bottom (or drag it up to expand it) to display extended traffic predictions for the next two hours, and any known slowdowns on the route.
   • When you're checking out a potential route, parts of the route without traffic will appear blue. Medium traffic appears orange, and heavier traffic is red.
   • If multiple routes are available, alternate routes will also appear in a lighter blue, along with time predictions.
   • To see how traffic might change based on the time you leave or want to arrive, tap the three horizontal dots •••, select Set depart or arrive time, and choose a departure or arrival time.
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Section 2 of 3:

On a Computer

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1. 
   1
   Search for a location. When you open https://www.google.com/maps/ in your web browser, Google Maps will center the map on your current location. If you want to check traffic in another location or along a driving route, search for the location or destination now.

   • Traffic conditions are not available in all areas.
2. 
   2
   Hover your mouse cursor over "Layers." At the bottom-left corner of the map, you'll see a square labeled "Layers." When you hover the mouse over this square, a few map detail options will appear.
3. 
   3
   Click Traffic. This adds traffic information for the current area to the map.

   • A red line indicates high traffic, yellow or orange means medium traffic, and a green line indicates a clear route.
4. 
   4
   Check the traffic along a driving route. If you want to see if there's traffic on the way to a destination, click Directions in the left panel, enter your starting point (if different), tap Directions, and enter your starting point (if different from your current location). Google Maps will recommend the best route based on real-time traffic information, distance, and other factors.

   • When you're checking out a potential route, parts of the route without traffic will appear blue. Medium traffic appears orange, and heavier traffic is red.
   • To see how traffic might change based on the time you leave or want to arrive, click the Leave now menu above the route list to enter a different departure or arrival time.
   • If multiple routes are available, alternate routes will also appear in a lighter blue, along with time predictions.
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Section 3 of 3:

Using Google Maps Traffic Widgets

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1. 
   1
   Android If you want real-time traffic information on your Android's home screen, add the Google Maps Nearby Traffic widget. Here's how:

   • Tap and hold an empty area of your home screen.
   • Tap the Widgets menu.
   • Tap the Maps menu.
   • Tap and hold the Nearby Traffic widget (the 3x2 widget that looks like a map), then drag it to your preferred home screen location.
2. 
   2
   iPhone/iPad There are two Google Maps traffic-related widgets you can add to your iPhone's home screen. Here's how to add them:

   • Tap and hold a blank area of the Home screen.
   • Tap + at the top-right corner.
   • Tap Google maps.
   • Swipe to the "Know Before You Go" widget (to see real-time traffic conditions for your current location or places you're scheduled to visit) or "See real-time trip info" (for ETAs for your most frequent trips).
   • Tap Add Widget.
   • When prompted to give the widget access to your location, tap Allow.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  What do yellow and orange indicate?

  

  Community Answer

  Green indicates minimal to no traffic, yellow indicates moderate traffic, orange indicates heavy traffic, and red indicates severe traffic.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Which roads does Google Traffic mostly cover?

  

  Avicii GB

  Community Answer

  It mostly covers starting from mid-busy to all roads. It does not monitor rural areas if the population is under 20,000.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
• Question

  Can people track me on Google Maps?

  

  Community Answer

  No. All traffic data is anonymous, and it won't tell you any names or any other personally identifying information.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Traffic conditions are only available for major roads and arterial roads.
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• If you're using real-time navigation to get to your destination, Google Maps will continue to monitor traffic and update you on worsening conditions. In some cases, the app will suggest a detour to help you beat the snarl-up.
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