Google’s November 2024 holiday guide outlined eight ways to use Maps and related Google services for shopping, activity ideas, driving, EV charging, transit and flights. Google announced four additional holiday-season Maps features in November 2025. The announcements are separate, and their rollout descriptions do not establish that every feature is available to every user today.
What Google Maps’ 2024 holiday guide included
Google’s November 14, 2024 guide, “8 ways to use Maps and more for your holiday plans”, covered eight practical uses. Some rely on local data or compatible vehicles, so the guide should not be read as a promise of universal availability or guaranteed results.
Find gifts at nearby stores
Search Maps for items such as board games, pickleball rackets or ice cream makers to find nearby stores reporting that they have them in stock. A stock listing is a lead, not a reservation or a guarantee that the item will still be available when you arrive.
Discover activities and get place details
Google suggested asking Maps for ideas with a query such as “fun winter activities in New York City.” The guide also described asking whether a place has free parking and using Gemini to summarize reviews. These are examples of things to try, not evidence that every query or place will return the same information.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
Preview a driving route
Immersive View for routes can help preview turns, visualize traffic conditions and get a better sense of parking before a drive. It is intended to help you understand a trip in advance, rather than guarantee that road or parking conditions will match the preview when you travel.
See and report weather-related road issues
Maps users can see or report disruptions such as unplowed roads, low visibility and flooding. Conditions can change quickly, so treat reports as useful context alongside current local guidance and road signs.
Rank #2
- google search
- google map
- google plus
- youtube music
- youtube
Plan EV charging stops
For drivers of electric vehicles with Google built-in, Google described planning charging stops on a phone and sending the trip to the vehicle. The guide also says users can add their vehicle’s make and model to Maps to find compatible charging stations. These capabilities depend on vehicle and service compatibility; the announcement does not establish charger availability at the time you arrive.
Route with a trailer in mind
The 2024 guide described trailer-friendly routing for North American drivers who enter trailer dimensions in a car with Google built-in, helping Maps avoid low bridges and tunnels. At the time of publication, Google named the 2025 Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon as compatible vehicles and said more would follow. This was not presented as a feature for every phone or vehicle.
Rank #3
- get around with real-time traffic information
Check transit disruptions and alternatives
Maps can show reported transit delays drawing on fellow riders and local agencies. The guide also pointed to subway entrances and alternate routes as ways to adjust a trip when service is disrupted.
Look for flight deals
For air travel, Google pointed readers to the “Cheapest” tab in Google Flights. This is a related Google service, not a Maps flight-booking feature.
Rank #4
- Latest version - updated June 2026 Locate hotels, restaurants and attractions Find points of interest and routes and turn-by-turn voice directions Plug & Play Operation Works with virtually ALL Garmin devices
What Google announced separately in 2025
On November 19, 2025, Google announced a different package of four holiday-season features in “Simplify the holidays with 4 new Google Maps features”. Google described these as rollouts, with different platform and geographic scopes; those announcements alone do not confirm present-day access for an individual user.
| Feature | What Google described | Announced rollout scope |
|---|---|---|
| “Know before you go” tips | Gemini-powered tips for places such as restaurants, hotels and concert venues. | Rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS. |
| Updated Explore tab | Trending and popular nearby restaurants, activities and sights, alongside curated lists from Viator, Lonely Planet, OpenTable and local influencers. | Rollout beginning globally on Android and iOS. |
| Predicted EV charger availability | Predictions of charger availability when drivers arrive, using historical and real-time availability data. | Rollout starting on Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, for hundreds of thousands of charging stations worldwide, according to Google. |
| Reviews with a nickname | Users can write reviews using a nickname and profile picture while the review remains associated with their Google Account behind the scenes. | Rolling out globally on Android, iOS and desktop. |
“Hundreds of thousands” is Google’s broad description of the charging stations associated with the 2025 rollout, not a guarantee that a particular station is covered or available. The announcement also does not independently establish how accurate the predictions are.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Seamless Wireless CarPlay Experience: Stay fully connected with wireless CarPlay, enabling hands-free navigation, calls, music, and voice commands—perfect for urban riders and touring enthusiasts
- Android Auto for Every Adventure: Streamlined Android Auto for motorcycle support offers real-time GPS, voice-activated control, Bluetooth sync, music streaming, and app access for safer rides
- 5-Inch IPS Display Built for Riding: Crisp 5-inch IPS touchscreen with 854x480 resolution, anti-glare view, sunlight readability, glove-friendly operation, and night mode display designed for bikers
- Bluetooth Stereo with Immersive Audio: Enjoy premium motorcycle stereo system with Bluetooth headset pairing, hands-free calls, stable signal, surround sound, and ride-safe voice clarity
- Waterproof and Weatherproof Ruggedness: IP-rated rugged housing ensures rainproof durability, dust resistance, mud protection, secure mount stability, and reliable function in all conditions
How to interpret availability before relying on a feature
- Check the date and platform. The 2024 guide and 2025 announcement describe different feature sets. The 2025 rollout scopes vary by feature, including U.S.-only language for place tips and global rollout language for others.
- Check vehicle compatibility. EV trip planning, predicted charger availability and trailer routing are tied to Google built-in or Android Auto contexts, and trailer routing had specific North American vehicle examples in the 2024 guide.
- Verify time-sensitive information. Store inventory, road reports, transit delays and charger conditions can change. Use Maps as a planning aid and confirm critical details with the store, transit agency, vehicle interface or local authorities as appropriate.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
