Google Maps Now Estimates Drive Time At Rush Hour
According to the Google Lat Long Blog, the search engine has added a feature to Google Maps that provides a realistic estimate of drive time in traffic at peak times or when there’s an accident.
After you do a search for directions, you’ll see both an optimal drive time and an outer range.
For example, with this search for Newport Beach to downtown Los Angeles, you’re told in the left-hand column under “Drive:”
43.6 mi – about 52 mins
up to 1 hour 40 mins in traffic
See the second line with the “in traffic” estimate?
It’s not clear how many people take those idealized travel time estimates seriously but this is an effort to be more realistic, which is helpful.
Explore more on
Add Search Engine Land as a preferred source on GoogleEditorial disclosure
Contributing authors are chosen for their expertise and work under the oversight of the editorial staff. Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. The contributor was not asked to mention Semrush; the opinions expressed are their own.