The Google Maps application is a useful navigation tool that many of us utilize on our mobile devices. Google Maps helps us when planning a trip. Additionally, Google Maps makes finding locations easier in our everyday lives. Using Google Maps, we can determine how to get from point A to point B, be it by car, public transportation, bicycle, or on foot.
If you are particularly interested in the current traffic situation on your current or upcoming route, the Traffic Feature of Google Maps is highly recommended.
In this article, we will go over how to show traffic on Google Maps on your Android Phone.
Table of Contents
How to Show Traffic on Google Maps
Google Maps is an excellent tool for planning a trip, finding a particular location, or searching for places. For those who are particularly interested in knowing the traffic situation along their route, Google Maps provides an excellent Live Traffic function.
Show Traffic Using Map Overlay
To show traffic on your Android phone using the Map Overlay, you can follow the steps outlined below:
- Open your Google Maps app
- Enter your current location or expected starting point
- Enter your destination or expected ending point
- Tap Traffic Overlay (stacked boxes icon)
5. Tap Traffic
Once you start seeing additional green, yellow, and/or red lines on the map, it has started showing you the traffic situation in your route.
Show Traffic During Preview Mode
Another way to show traffic when in Preview Mode, you can follow the steps outlined below:
- Open your Google Maps app
- Enter your current location or expected starting point
- Enter your destination or expected ending point
- Tap Preview
- Tap the three dots on the upper right
6. Enable the “All traffic” checkbox
Once you start seeing additional green, yellow, and/or red lines on the map, it has started showing you the traffic situation in your route.
What is Live Traffic on Google Maps?
If you reside in an area where traffic is a problem, Google Maps contains a useful feature that may be of assistance to you. It is the Traffic Feature.
The Google Maps app provides live traffic data for most regions of the world, allowing users to keep track of traffic conditions. Live traffic allows you to know in real-time if some roads are blocked or slow due to road works.
Since traffic forecasts are robust and fast, having Google Maps is truly helpful. Utilizing the route and traffic information, it is possible to estimate when you are likely to arrive at your destination.
What do the colors mean in Live Traffic?
Google Maps uses different color codes, which can change in real-time. The colors are as follows:
- Green represents light traffic
- Yellow represents moderate traffic
- Orange represents heavy traffic
- Red represents very heavy traffic
Live Traffic Forecast on Google Maps
If you are using Google Maps to navigate, you can choose to see the traffic forecast in real-time. This, along with the estimated time of travel, is derived from the devices that are using Google Maps in the vicinity as well as from all prior information gathered along the route. Google will record the GPS location and route from all users without associating the Google Account or device with any particular route.
The use of orange or red lines indicates that roads with heavy traffic are slower than those marked as green on Google Maps. Moreover, it helps you decide if you can bypass this route by taking a different alternative, which might be longer in distance but more efficient in terms of traffic.
So, if you observe that a traffic forecast is marked red, it is advisable to take a different route.
Do I need the Internet to view Live Traffic Forecast?
Yes, it is necessary to be connected to the Internet in order to view the live traffic forecast. By connecting to Google Maps’ servers, your app will be kept up-to-date with traffic information.
If your phone does not have Internet data or is in Airplane Mode, then the live traffic information will not appear.
Why is there no live traffic forecast on my Google Maps?
When you are not seeing live traffic, despite turning it on, there are two possible explanations.
- There is no traffic available on your route.
- There is no Internet connection, so you cannot download pertinent information.
