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Getting around a new area can feel overwhelming or even a bit discouraging. With Android’s Google Maps app, two often-missed settings quietly make journeys smoother—no matter if you’re driving, carpooling, or riding solo.
Why These Settings Matter
The right settings help you:
- Reach places more quickly
- Save fuel (and money)
- Reduce stress on busy days
- Ease worry about choosing the right route
Where Are the Settings?
Both options live in the Google Maps app’s settings. Here’s how you’ll find and use them:
Tell Maps About Your Vehicle
When you tell Google Maps what kind of car you drive, the app gives directions fit for your car’s needs, whether you use gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric. This means you’ll get routes that match how your vehicle works best—making the drive easier and sometimes saving fuel.
Step-by-step:
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture (top right).
- Tap “Settings.”
- Scroll and choose “Your vehicle.”
- Select your engine type:
- Gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric
- Plug type for electric cars, if needed
- Done! Your routes can now account for your vehicle.
What changes?
- Routes for electric/hybrid cars may suggest paths with easy stops and less steep hills.
- If you have an electric car, you’ll find charging stations that fit your plug type fast and easily.
Turn Fuel-Efficient Routes On or Off
By default, Maps often sends drivers on a route that saves fuel, even if it’s not the absolute fastest. For some, this means less money spent and a smaller impact on the environment. If you always want the quickest trip instead, you can turn off this preference.
Step-by-step:
- Open Google Maps.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Select “Settings.”
- Choose “Navigation settings.”
- Find “Prefer fuel-efficient routes.”
- Switch it on (for greener trips) or off (for quickest trip).
Tip: If you turn it off, you’ll still see a little leaf symbol on green routes, but you’ll always get the fastest path as default.
What changes?
- With “fuel-efficient” ON, routes use less fuel and can help the planet, but are sometimes a few minutes slower.
- With it OFF, Maps will always get you there fastest.
Benefits at a Glance
- Faster drives: Quickest route every time if you want speed.
- Fuel and money saved: If saving matters to you.
- Less stress: Pick the option that eases your busy day.
- Flexibility: Change settings any time you swap cars or move to another area.
Choosing the right settings in Google Maps transforms how you travel—making every trip just a bit more pleasant and trouble-free. Take one minute now to set up your app and enjoy more relaxing, confident rides where you’re less likely to feel lost or hurried, even somewhere new.