Google Maps for iOS Gaining New 'Pit Stop' Feature

Monday February 29, 2016 7:14 AM PST by Mitchel Broussard
Google today announced an incoming update to its Google Maps for iOS app that will let users add pit stops onto their trips without leaving navigation mode. First introduced on Android last fall, the company said that the pit stop feature will be available in any country where Google Maps navigation is offered, which is "more than 100 worldwide."

From navigation mode, users will just need to tap the magnifying glass located in the top right corner of Google Maps to see a drop down menu of potential pit stops to add to a trip. The menu offers a few automatic options like restaurants and coffee shops, but a search field gives users a more robust option for specifically finding their desired pit stop.

Google Maps pit stop
Life is full of the unexpected—things that send us scrambling for a gas station in the middle of nowhere, looking up a florist on our way home from work or searching for a restaurant as we tour the back roads of our latest vacation destination. Finding and navigating to these last-minute pit stops used to force you out of navigation mode in Google Maps—and away from the traffic updates, turn-by-turn directions and map you rely on to stay on track.
Similar to Android, the new function on iOS details both the public rating of the pit stop and the amount of time the detour will add onto a trip, letting users select the best-rated and quickest pit stop beforehand. Prior to the update, Google Maps users would have to manually discover and find a potential pit stop, navigate to the location, and when ready to leave, re-start their original route navigation.

The company said the new update to Google Maps [Direct Link] will see its worldwide rollout to iOS users starting today.

Tags: Google, Google Maps
54 comments

Top Rated Comments

(View all)
Avatar
Corrode
49 months ago
Handy. Google Maps just keeps getting better.
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
tazinlwfl
49 months ago
Apple Maps needs this ASAP, especially with how much Yelp data is on Maps.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
BuffaloTF
49 months ago
Finally someone's doing this genius feature. My biggest headache with GPS navigation. "Turn right. *drives straight* in 50 feet, do a U-Turn. Then turn left. *repeat nonstop*" No bossy GPS lady. I'm just stopping at the gas station!
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
CheesePuff
49 months ago
I prefer Google Maps still over Apple Maps. Includes gas prices, better navigation (Apple will not always detour properly for traffic), I just wish it could auto turn on the display and show the next upcoming turn.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
gsmornot
49 months ago
I have no idea why this is not part of these mapping systems. My black and white screen Garmin had it years ago, like 10 plus years ago.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
Muscle Master
49 months ago
Wish Apple just can Apple maps and go iOS and google maps integration
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
PBG4 Dude
49 months ago

Finally someone's doing this genius feature. My biggest headache with GPS navigation. "Turn right. *drives straight* in 50 feet, do a U-Turn. Then turn left. *repeat nonstop*" No bossy GPS lady. I'm just stopping at the gas station!


"Proceed to the route."
I will proceed to the route, once I have my damn coffee!

Been wanting this feature for years. Can't believe it's been so non-obvious to driving direction companies.

Like someone else said, my TomTom had this functionality years ago, along with the ability to update a crowd sourced list of pit stops via USB (since there was no cellular connection).
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
C DM
49 months ago

Sounds like Google Maps is becoming even more complicated. I mean if you want to stop its not like it was ever a big deal. I just ignore the directions at that point.

Well, if you don't want to use the option then you don't have to use it, otherwise for those that might want to use they have the option to do so. Just because the ability to use something exists doesn't mean that everyone needs to use it or even think about it if they don't care for it, and thus no complexity is added for those people (while those who would benefit from the option would welcome it).
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
darcyf
49 months ago
I especially like the feature of suggestions along the way. Often I'll be heading somewhere but need to get gas along the way and won't know if there's a station along my route. By the sounds of it that will no longer be a problem.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
69Mustang
49 months ago

whoa now... that's awfully bombastic.

Google Maps had turn by turn since the OG Droid. It was one of its biggest selling features. That was long before Apple Maps.

And I'd imagine Google is doing this, because they -- above all others -- should have had it from the start, or very close to it. Why? Because Google is an Advertising company, first and foremost and well beyond (or baked within) the scope of any other project it does. Knowing that I drive through Dunkin Donuts every morning, among millions of others, will help them know their customers better and sell more ads. There's a reason they're such an effective advertiser, and this would be one of them.

I think you sort of completely missed his point. It wasn't a reference about "first". He was pointing out Google bringing this feature to iOS is because Apple Maps offers competition. Google didn't offer t-b-t on iOS 'til Apple debuted a competing product in AM. It's one clear example where consumers win when there's direct competition. Google has to continue to offer their premium features on iOS if they want to keep/attract users. Apple has to make their mapping solution better because they know consumers can easily opt for Google Maps. Both services get better, consumers win.
Rating: 2 Votes
[ Read All Comments ]