The way we travel by road is increasingly dictated by GPS. When traffic gets heavy, Google Maps often suggests detours to save a few minutes. The problem is, if we all follow the same advice, that supposed shortcut could end up creating an equally bad or even worse traffic jam.
At the same time, various city councils have begun to draw red lines. Tourist cities are asking Google to stop sending cars through sensitive areas, while at the same time, users are turning to lesser-known tools like fire risk and air quality maps to navigate more carefully during the peak summer season.
Alternative routes: How Google Maps calculates them and why they sometimes make traffic jams worse
When it detects heavy traffic, the app cross-references historical data, real-time information , and the speed of thousands of other vehicles to calculate the fastest route at that moment. This recommendation is sent to you, but also to the cars in front and behind you. The result: a quiet secondary road can become congested in minutes.
This effect has been demonstrated more than once. There was even an experiment with dozens of phones that simulated a traffic jam without any cars present. The moral of the story is clear: the app is accurate in detecting traffic jams, but it doesn't always predict what happens when everyone simultaneously takes the same alternative route.
When it's worth taking a detour and when to stay on the main road
If the time difference is minimal, the change is usually not worth it . Highways are better equipped to handle peak traffic, while detours through urban or regional roads introduce traffic lights, roundabouts, and 50 km/h speed limits that disrupt the flow of traffic.
It's also worth considering the cause of the traffic jam. Long-term roadworks are one thing; an accident or a checkpoint might clear up more quickly. On rainy nights, with poor visibility, or on unfamiliar roads , taking a shortcut tends to be costly.
Before deciding, take a look at the map of the area , check the profile of the proposed route, and the traffic conditions. A couple of minutes of analysis can save you half an hour of detours. And if you can, supplement the information on your phone with radio updates to understand what's happening a few kilometers ahead.
- If the saving is less than 5-7 minutes, stay on the main one.
- Divert only if the alternative avoids lanes closed due to roadworks prolonged.
- Avoid shortcuts through residential neighborhoods with many intersections.
- In bad weather or at night, prioritize wide and well-lit routes.
Cities asking Google for changes: the case of Girona and other examples
There are places where the damage isn't a delay, but rather the impact on the historic center . Girona managed to get Google Maps and Waze to stop recommending routes through the Barri Vell, an area with restricted access and pedestrian priority where the streets aren't designed for the continuous flow of visitors.
After months of work, the apps now clearly indicate traffic restrictions and suggest alternative routes, as well as guiding tourists to suitable parking areas to avoid blocking loading and unloading zones. The goal: to calm traffic in the old town and prevent impromptu traffic jams on narrow streets.
This is not an isolated case. In Barcelona, ​​traffic signs were adjusted to ease congestion at Park Güell , and in other countries, some towns have taken measures to reorganize traffic flow when GPS systems began to overwhelm their streets. The lesson is that digital mapping also needs to be negotiated on the ground.
Fires and air quality: layers to help you plan more safely
This summer, with multiple active fires, many people have turned to two Google Maps features that might otherwise go unnoticed. In the Layers menu , you can activate "Wildfires" to identify affected areas and "Air Quality" to check whether it's safe to do outdoor activities or avoid certain sections of the road.
Using them is straightforward and they make all the difference behind the wheel: they allow you to avoid roads near fires , recalculate routes, and, if necessary, change plans in advance. Beyond routes and times, these layers add an extra layer of safety that is greatly appreciated when the environment becomes unpredictable.
Maps are no longer just for getting there faster; they're for making informed decisions with the right context: traffic, city restrictions, and environmental risks. Knowing how to read these signs and not leaving everything to the app's autopilot can save you time, stress, and even a nasty surprise.
