Google Maps is rolling out a significant upgrade powered by Gemini, bringing hands-free conversational assistance, landmark-based directions, proactive traffic alerts, and enhanced visual discovery to its navigation experience.
The update introduces a voice-driven assistant designed to simplify in-car navigation, allowing users to perform multi-step tasks without needing to touch their phone. Drivers can ask for help finding restaurants along a route, checking electric vehicle charger availability, sharing estimated arrival times, or even creating calendar events. Users can also report road disruptions, such as accidents or flooding, by speaking naturally. The conversational navigation feature will begin rolling out in the coming weeks on Android and iOS, with Android Auto support to follow.
Additionally, Google Maps is introducing more intuitive guidance that utilizes real-world landmarks. Instead of relying solely on distances, Maps will reference recognizable locations such as restaurants, gas stations, or notable buildings during turn-by-turn directions. The system draws on Google’s database of more than 250 million places, along with Street View imagery, to ensure the landmarks are both visible and relevant. Landmark-based navigation is now rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS.
The update also includes proactive traffic alerts that notify users of significant congestion or road closures ahead, even when they are not actively navigating. This feature is now live for U.S. Android users.
Beyond driving, Google is enhancing exploration through Lens, built with Gemini. By tapping the camera icon in Maps and pointing the phone at nearby businesses or landmarks, users can ask questions about the place—such as what dishes are popular, what the atmosphere is like, or why the location is well known. This feature will roll out gradually later this month in the U.S. on both Android and iOS.
Google positioned the new Gemini-powered Maps experience as a way to make everyday travel more intuitive and efficient by combining conversational AI with real-world data.
Below are some videos that show how it works:
