A capable map app will save you time (and your sanity), but which one is best at dodging holiday traffic? I tested both and there’s a clear winner.
Platforms and Offline Downloads
Google Maps and Waze are both free. Google is just in it to harvest your sweet data (unless you stop the company from tracking you). You are likely to get the most use out of the apps on your mobile phone, and fortunately, both are available on Android and iOS devices.
Google Maps is also easily accessible via a web browser. I’ve checked potential routes countless times on my PC before actually heading out, and then used the mobile app to pivot plans on the fly. Google Maps even lets you download maps for turn-by-turn offline use, a modern equivalent of printing out a physical map. This saves you the trouble of having to depend on unreliable mobile networks to reach your destination.
Waze offers a browser-based version as well. However, its offline functionality is much less helpful. You can’t download maps, for example. You also must be online when you start a trip. Your trip won’t end if your connection drops, but you will lose access to all the helpful information Waze provides, such as about accidents or sudden road closures.
Winner: Google MapsMap Detail
Google Maps presents virtual worlds rich with information to help you navigate more efficiently. Zoom out to see the entire planet, or get a closer look at an individual business, complete with contact information, pictures of the storefront, and user reviews.
