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Waze does not document a universal “fastest route only” switch in its route guidance. To avoid difficult turns, enable Avoid difficult intersections in Settings → Navigation. To prioritize the quickest-looking option, compare the alternate routes Waze displays and select one based on its ETA and the roads it uses.
How to avoid difficult turns in Waze
Waze’s Avoid difficult intersections preference can help steer you away from difficult turns, including at some junctions without traffic lights. The exact steps depend on the device or car interface.
- Android: Open Waze and go to Menu → Settings → Navigation → Avoid difficult intersections, then select Always.
- iPhone or iPad: Open Waze, go to Settings → Navigation, and turn on Avoid difficult intersections.
- Android Auto or Android Automotive: Find the preference under Navigation and choose Always.
- CarPlay: Disconnect your phone from the car system, change the preference in Waze on the phone, then use Waze in the car.
Waze documents the setting for Android and Android Auto/Android Automotive and for iPhone, iPad, and CarPlay.
How to choose the fastest-looking route
Waze’s help explains how to preview and choose alternate routes, but does not document a control that locks the app to a fastest-route-only mode. Check the displayed travel-time estimates and route details, then choose the option that best fits your priorities.
#1 Best Overall
- Bright, high-resolution 5” glass capacitive touchscreen display lets you easily view your route
- Get more situational awareness with alerts for school zones, speed changes, sharp curves and more
- View food, fuel and rest areas along your active route, and see upcoming cities and milestones
- View Tripadvisor traveler ratings for top-rated restaurants, hotels and attractions to help you make the most of road trips
- Directory of U.S. national parks simplifies navigation to entrances, visitor centers and landmarks within the parks
Before you start driving
- Search for your destination in Waze and open the route view.
- Review the alternate routes and their displayed ETAs and roads. On some in-car screens, scroll to see the full list.
- Select a route to preview it, then choose the one you want to take.
While navigating
Open the alternate-routes view to compare available options. If Waze offers a route change, select Change route to accept it or No thanks to stay on your current route. Route-screen details and labels vary by platform. See Waze’s instructions for viewing alternate routes.
How personalization affects route suggestions
Waze may use your past drives and route selections to suggest routes you are more likely to prefer. Personalized navigation is on by default according to Waze Help, but availability may vary by area and the feature may need more drive history. To turn it off, go to Settings → Navigation → Personalization → Personalized navigation. Waze’s personalized navigation instructions provide further details.
Rank #2
- 6” high-resolution navigator includes map updates of North America
- Hands-free calling when paired with your compatible smartphone with BLUETOOTH technology and convenient Garmin voice assist lets you ask for directions to places you want to go
- Road trip–ready features include the HISTORY database of notable sites, a U.S. national parks directory, Tripadvisor traveler ratings and millions of Foursquare POIs
- Driver alerts for things such as school zones, sharp curves and speed changes help encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness
- Access live traffic, fuel prices, parking, weather and smart notifications when you pair this navigator with your compatible smartphone running the Garmin Drive app
What route preferences can and cannot guarantee
Avoidance preferences influence route suggestions; they are not guarantees that every unwanted road or junction will be removed. Waze notes, for example, that it may still suggest an unpaved road when the preference is set to avoid such roads if route availability calls for it. Waze explains the unpaved-road preference and its limits.
Route quality also depends on road data for nearby segments, and an active data connection is needed for navigation and current traffic information. Waze says it is intended for private cars, motorcycles, and taxis; it does not currently support navigation in dedicated public-transportation, bicycle, or truck lanes. See About Waze.
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- 7” high-resolution navigator includes map updates of North America .Special Feature:Easy-To-Read Display; Voice Assist; Hands-Free Calling; Live Traffic and Weather; Traffic Cams and Parking; Smart Notifications,Driver Alerts; Tripadvisor; National Parks Directory; Find Places by Name; Garmin Real Directions Feature.
- Hands-free calling when paired with your compatible smartphone with BLUETOOTH technology and convenient Garmin voice assist lets you ask for directions to places you want to go
- Road trip–ready features include the HISTORY database of notable sites, a U.S. national parks directory, Tripadvisor traveler ratings and millions of Foursquare POIs
- Driver alerts for things such as school zones, sharp curves and speed changes help encourage safer driving and increase situational awareness
- Access live traffic, fuel prices, parking, weather and smart notifications when you pair this navigator with your compatible smartphone running the Garmin Drive app
Lane guidance is not the same as avoiding a turn
Waze can highlight which lane to use near complicated intersections, highway exits, and multi-lane roundabouts. That guidance helps you position the vehicle for the route, but it does not mean Waze has removed the intersection or turn. See Waze’s lane guidance instructions.
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