The Best Hidden Maps Features That Will Save You on Gas

It’s a question that keeps popping up in my inbox: “How can I save on gas?” I get it. Every stop at the pump is a pain these days.

Sam’s Club and Costco offer fuel discounts, but keep in mind that you must pay the annual membership fee. Tap or click to find out if the savings are worth it.

Or maybe you need a reliable way to find the best gas prices near you. It’s frustrating to get gas and then see gas 10 cents cheaper a mile away. Click or click here to see the best apps to find the lowest prices.

Once your tank is topped up, there are ways to make it last longer. Anyone can do this with the help of a GPS application.

Algorithms are good at predicting

If you drive to the same few places most of the time, you probably won’t use a map app to tell you how to get there. You can use it to spot traffic and road closures or find better routes.

Traffic isn’t just frustrating. It’s also bad for fuel economy. Every time you hit the brakes, you use more power to get the car moving again. These burn fuel and reduce mileage per gallon. Driving in traffic also means more idle time and more wear on brake and engine parts.

It’s easy to open a navigation app and see current traffic, but what if you want to see what to expect tomorrow or next week?

Whether you use Apple Maps or Google Maps, you can get very accurate traffic forecasts for future dates based on the usual conditions of the day and time. You can then fine-tune your departure time to find the ideal time to hit the road.

Rising gasoline prices sparked a nationwide sticker reaction.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

related: Choose private maps when you don’t want Google or Apple to track you

How to plan the most efficient route in Apple Maps

With Apple Maps, you can set the time you want to leave or arrive based on road and traffic conditions.

Here’s how to check traffic conditions based on your departure time:

• Open the Maps app and tap Search the map site.
• enter your destination and select it from the results.
• tap directionthen tap go now.
• tap leavechoose one date and time then click complete.
• You can view the traffic, distance and time of your trip.
• tap go next to the route you want.

You can also set the desired arrival time and see the best departure time:

• Open the Maps app and tap Search the map site.
• Enter your destination and select it from the results.
• tap direction then click go now.
• tap arrivechoose one date and time, then click complete.
• You can view traffic, distance, and time for your trip, and leave by time.
• tap go next to the route you want.

Car intelligence: 7 Apple CarPlay Tips to Make Your Driving Easier

Save time and gas with Google Maps

Google Maps works similarly. You can plan future trips while the app analyzes predicted traffic, routes, and road conditions along the way.

Here’s how to set the planned time and date for your trip:

• Open Google Maps and click search here site.
• enter a destination and select it from the results.
• tap direction then click three-dot button to the right of your location field.
• tap Set departure or arrival time.
• choose departure time and enter a date and time, then click complete.
• You’ll get various route options and details such as time and distance.
• Choose a route and click start.

Wondering when you should leave to arrive at a certain place at a certain time? That’s it:

• Open Google Maps and click search here site.
• Enter a destination and select it from the results.
• tap direction then click three-dot button to the right of your location field.
• tap Set departure or arrival time.
• choose arrive in and enter date and time then click complete.
• You’ll get various route options, details like distance, and suggested departure times.
• Choose a route and click start.

Using Google Maps? There are many valuable features, from finding your car in the parking lot to sending your exact location.

Animation of rising gas prices.
(istock)

Click or click here to see 10 Google Maps Tips You’ll Use Over and Over.

Podcast Picks: Drone deliveries, digital license plates, $3,700 Walkman

Want to air freight your Amazon Prime package? If you live in the city, you can. Additionally, Netflix officially announced the second season of “Squid Game,” Sony made a $3,700 Walkman, and Webex is introducing seamless Apple CarPlay support so you can have meetings in your car. Oh, and four states approve digital license plates with GPS tracking and dark mode. I have all the details.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here Or anywhere you get podcasts. Just search for my last name “Komando”.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have?Call Kim’s national radio program and Click or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Comando Show on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Or tap or click here to view Kim’s free podcast.

Learn about all the latest technologies The Kim Comando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and advises on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacking. For her daily tips, free newsletter, and more, visit her website: Komando.com.