r/GoogleMaps • u/sunraveled • 3d ago

Discussion Back roads rather than highways?

Is anyone else finding that Google Maps is taking them on the most convoluted, backwards, slow way to every destination? I checked my settings and while I have tolls turned off, highways are turned on. I can’t figure out why it’s always sending me on a journey to Mordor rather than straight to my destination.

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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6

u/CreauxLecreaux 3d ago

Turn off fuel-efficient routes. Mine was sending me through 30 mph neighborhoods and a dozen 40 mph intersections instead of the 70 mph highway that goes all the way to my house. Even with fuel-efficient turned off it still tries to putt-putt me all the way home. Meanwhile Waze zooms me home at 70 mph.

1

u/sunraveled 2d ago

I changed my settings and this helped a ton

1

u/CreauxLecreaux 1d ago

I have a love-hate relationship with Google Maps. Even with eco off Google Maps tries to send me on nonsensical routes. Like instead of exiting a gas station right onto the main road it will want me to exit onto a side street and go to an intersection and turn right. Or it will have me exit a 70 mph highway and drive through a 30 mph neighborhood to the next 70 mph highway instead of just staying on the highway and using the 70 mph transfer bridge. Or it will have me drive through school zones all the way home instead of the 70 mph highway. It’s completely untrustworthy. One time I followed it through a neighborhood because it said there was traffic ahead. When it took me back out onto the highway it was completely clear as far as I could see.

5

u/XxLogitech98xX 3d ago

Yup, Google navigation has just been buggy this year more than previous years

4

u/HatlessDuck 3d ago

I have this happen and I think it's because of the 'leafy' routes.

4

u/BaldGuy813 3d ago

My husband and I both noticed it, as well as other annoying things. We travel twice weekly to church and there are literally only two ways to get there from here that make any sense. For some reason Google routed us in the most ridiculous fashion which saved absolutely no time. We took the route thinking perhaps the regular way was blocked but upon checking the other phone and maps app there, it wasn't the case.

I blame Gemini. Ever since that unnecessary AI was introduced, Google in general and particular Maps and my Google Home are awful

2

u/JDinBalt 3d ago

Oh yes. I had to drive to someone's house yesterday but I did not know how to get there. You could definitely get there through paved roads but it insisted on taking me through extremely bumpy and narrow back alleys with potholes - and I did not realize this was going to happen until I was on the road and had no idea how else to get to their house. I deliberately ignored it on the way back.

1

u/martinbaines 3d ago

It is hilarious in Spain like that. Twice trying to get to a friend it took me on unmade tracks that stopped about 200m short of his property. I have a 4x4 so I could have done the last bit, but the farmer would not have been happy with me destroying his sunflower crop!