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Detouring for gas just got easy with Google Maps
You load your final destination into Google Maps and are on your way, when you realize you will never make it to your destination without stopping at a gas station. Gone are the days of cancelling your Maps destination to find the nearest gas station on your route and then inserting the destination again when the tank is full.
Google Maps is finally making a much-awaited update to their mobile app, which will allow you to make a detour stop along your current route. The update will now allow you to easily make any detour whether you need some cash at an ATM, your gas is running low, you need a bite to eat, or require a caffeine fix.
Accessing the new feature is easy. While you are in navigation mode, simply tap the magnifying glass in the top-right corner of the screen. A drop down menu will provide you with common detour options like gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. If you are looking for something more specific, tap on the “search for more places” option and search for your specific detour spot or add a specific address.
There is also the safer option of controlling the new feature via voice commands by simply tapping the microphone button. According to Android Police, once you select your detour location a countdown of 10 seconds will start before the navigation reroutes you to your chosen gas station, coffee shop, or wherever else you want to go en route.
This isn’t a groundbreaking feature as it has been used by navigation systems for some time, but it will be much appreciated by the many users of Google Maps.
What is new with this latest update, though, is the ability for you to check out the gas prices if you need to detour to a gas station. When you select gas stations, the current gas price at each of the locations is displayed in the callout boxes, ensuring you can easily find the nearest gas station at the cheapest price.
Android users can expect the updated features on their mobile Google Maps app over the next few weeks while there is no word yet when the feature will roll out to iOS.
Image credit: tpsdave via Pixabay
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