I don’t use Google Maps in Android Auto anymore—this navigation app took its place

Android Auto is a convenient and useful feature on most modern cars, even if it’s a bit underused. By default, most drivers end up using Google Maps even though there are countless solid alternatives. While there’s a lot to love about Google Maps, I use Waze with Android Auto instead, and here’s why.

When it comes to driving, Waze is best

Google Maps is good, but bloated

Credit: Joe Fedewa / How-To Geek

It’s no secret that Google Maps is pretty great, but I’ve long found it cluttered and bloated, offering features that I never use. And that’s especially true while driving. Walking directions are nice, restaurant information is helpful, transit times, AR/VR maps, and so on.

Those features all have a time and place, and that’s not when I’m driving. So, when I’m in the car and synced to Android Auto, Waze is the clear answer.

I’ve actually been using Waze for over 10 years, but since Android Auto defaults to Google Maps, sometimes it was easier to just jump in and use Google’s option. But thanks to some powerful automations and moving Waze to the top of the Android Auto app tray, there’s no reason to use anything else.

In my opinion, Waze is better than Google Maps for a bunch of reasons, and all of its benefits are amplified when you’re using Android Auto. Google Maps is “good enough,” but I want more than that when I’m on the road.

All the community-driven alerts, road hazard notifications, and police-ahead alerts are extremely helpful, not to mention re-routing around traffic, all on the big infotainment screen in my truck. And if you don’t have Android Auto, or wireless AA, there’s a dongle that can fix that.

Type

Android Auto & Apple Carplay adapter

What’s Included

Adapter, USB-C to USB-A cable

Easily add wireless Android Auto or CarPlay to your vehicle with this capable dongle that works with both platforms. 

The Waze features you’ll love on Android Auto

A better driving experience

Google actually owns Waze and has slowly incorporated some of its best features into Maps, but it’s still not as good. Here are a few of my favorite Waze features that make it my go-to in the car:

• Real-Time Crowdsourced Traffic: Integrates data from millions of users to provide the fastest routes, instantly rerouting around traffic jams and hazards.
• Incident Reporting: Drivers can report hazards, police presence, construction, road conditions, and accidents via voice commands or a few taps.
• Enhanced Lane Guidance: Provides specific guidance on which lane to use, improved roundabout navigation, and warnings for sharp turns, speed bumps, and emergency vehicles.
• Offline Maps: Enables map browsing and route planning even without an active data connection.

Credit: Jorge Aguilar / How To Geek

• Scheduled Trips & ETAs: Allows users to input, “set and go” destinations or schedule future trips, with notifications telling you the best time to leave based on live traffic.
• Speed Limit Alerts: Displays the current speed limit and alerts you when you are exceeding it or when the limit decreases.
• Live Map Sharing: Enables sharing your trip status and estimated time of arrival (ETA) with others in real-time.
• Fuel and Price Finder: Locates the cheapest or closest gas stations along your route.
• Carpool and Ride-Sharing: Connects drivers and riders for carpooling opportunities.
• Support for Electric Vehicles: Filters for charging stations and allows setting preferred connector types.
• Plenty of Customization: Offers various celebrity voice packs for directions and supports third-party music, podcast, and audiobook app integration (e.g., Spotify, Audible, TuneIn).
• Event Planning: Provides specialized routing and information for large-scale events

Google purchased Waze back in 2013 and has largely kept the two separate, but as you can see, it’s packed full of amazing features. The app gathers data from its community of users and acts as your eyes and ears on the road.

If the car 10 minutes ahead of you spots tire debris in the street or a cop, they’ll notify the app. Then, you’ll get a notification as you approach the location. Think of that, but with everything you encounter while driving, from police speed traps to sharp turns and other road hazards.

The voice commands work great, including conversational reporting. Waze also works on other screens, like the one behind your steering wheel, not just the infotainment display, and all the alerts are genuinely helpful. And if there’s anything that Google Maps has that Waze doesn’t, Google’s slowly adding them in.

That’s the power of Waze, and it’s continuously improving, too.

Try Waze or another open-source alternative

If you’re still using Google Maps in Android Auto, it’s seriously time to try Waze instead. Additionally, these days, there are all sorts of powerful, highly capable open-source alternatives to Google Maps. And while I’ve tried a few, I always end up returning to Waze.