Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps

How to See What Traffic Is Usually Like Between Any 2 Addresses

Nov 5, 2020 10:52 PM
Person holding a smartphone displaying a map navigation app with a car in the background.

If you're in the market for a new house, how do you know what your commute would be like if current traffic is unseasonably low? Or if you're considering a new job across town and want to weigh the pay raise against the extra time stuck in a gridlock, how do you measure the discrepancy? Google Maps can help.

It's a pretty simple process. Start by entering the address of one location in the search bar at the top of the screen.

Next, hit the "Directions" button at the bottom, then your current location will automatically populate as the address of origin. If this is what you wanted, cool. Otherwise, you can enter a different address in the top field, or if the addresses are backwards, tap the up/down arrows to the right of the second search box.

McKinney Falls State Park map overview with location marker.
Map showing directions to an outdoor park location.
McKinney Falls State Park map overview with location marker.
Map showing directions to an outdoor park location.

Now comes the fun part. Tap the three-dot menu button to the right of the topmost address, then select "Set depart or arrive time." Use the vertically scrolling number lists to set a departure time — more than likely, you'll want this to be either the time you'd leave for work or the time you'd get off.

Map showing directions to the University of Texas at Austin with a highlighted route.
Date and time selection interface for scheduling an appointment.
Map showing directions to the University of Texas at Austin with a highlighted route.
Date and time selection interface for scheduling an appointment.

Next, tap "Today" just beneath the time. Use the calendar interface to pick a day in the future — any day will do, but Friday almost always has the heaviest traffic. Hit "Set," then "Done," and you'll see exactly what you're looking for: typical travel times between those two addresses!

Calendar date selection interface displaying March 19.
Map showing directions from the University of Texas to a destination with estimated travel times.
Calendar date selection interface displaying March 19.
Map showing directions from the University of Texas to a destination with estimated travel times.

Cover image and screenshots by Dallas Thomas/Gadget Hacks

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!