Google Maps Rolls Out 10 New Features In India: Hands-Free Driving, Speed Limits, Traffic Alerts, And More

Google Maps just got a massive upgrade in India. On Thursday, Google rolled out 10 new features, and honestly, some of them are pretty cool. India is the first country outside the US to get these updates, which says a lot about how important the Indian market is for Google.

Google Maps 10 New Features In India

From Hands-free driving, speed limits, to traffic alerts, check out the amazing 10 new features Google Maps has rolled out in India.

Hands-Free Conversational Driving

🧵 New feature drops 🧵

Navigation in Google Maps is getting a powerful boost with Gemini. Ask for whatever you need — like planning a stop at a restaurant or parking details — and Gemini handles the rest.

Rolling out in the coming weeks on Android and iOS everywhere Gemini is… pic.twitter.com/pTYtkoScWV

— Google Maps (@googlemaps) November 5, 2025

This is the big one. Google Maps now lets you talk to it naturally while driving, thanks to Gemini AI. You can ask things like, “Is there a budget-friendly restaurant with vegan options along my route, something within a couple of miles? What’s parking like there?” And Maps will actually answer you. No more typing or tapping while trying to navigate traffic.

You can also ask about an EV charging station, share your ETA with friends, or get a recommendation for nearby places. The cool part is that it understands follow-up questions, so the conversation feels natural.

And if you want, Google Maps can even create a calendar event for your plans. Pretty handy when you are juggling multiple stops.

Proactive Local Tips

With Lens built with Gemini, you can snap a pic of a place and ask about its hours, if they take walk-ins, and all kinds of helpful details. Turns out a picture really is worth a thousand words 😉 Rolling out gradually later this month in the US on Android and iOS. pic.twitter.com/YA4sHn85hT

— Google Maps (@googlemaps) November 5, 2025

Remember the “Inspiration” feature that came out in November 2024? This builds on that. Now Google Maps will give you tips about your destination and route without asking. It’s like having someone in the car who knows the area and points out interesting spots as you drive. The local businesses, attractions, and hidden gems Map will tell you about them as you go.

Ask Questions About Places

Ever been on Maps, looking at a restaurant, and then had to switch to Google Search to find out if they have parking or accept cards? Not anymore.

Google Maps can now answer questions about places directly. It uses reviews, photos, and other info people have shared. So you can research while you navigate without jumping between apps.

Proactive Traffic Alerts

This one is launching in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. The feature will alert you about traffic jams, road closures, and delays even when you are not actively using navigation.

So, if there’s a massive jam on your usual route home, you’ll know before you even get in the car. This was announced in the US just a day before India got it.

Accident-Prone Area Alerts

Using government data, Google Maps will now warn you when you are driving through areas known for accidents. It is starting in Gurugram, the Cyberabad region in Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Faridabad.

Simple idea, but it could genuinely help people drive more carefully in dangerous spots.

Speed Limit On Screen

Google Maps will show the official speed limit. You will see it next to the speedometer in the bottom left corner. This is rolling out in nine cities: Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, Jaipur, Faridabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. It should help people avoid speeding tickets and drive more safely.

NHAI Partnership For Real-Time Highway Updates

Google partnered with the National Highways Authority of India to get real-time updates about road closures and repairs on highways.

NHAI is making this data available to everyone through its API Setu. So when you’re planning a long drive, you’ll know which routes to avoid.

Book Metro Tickets In The App

You can now book Metro tickets directly through Maps. It’s available in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Chennai right now. Mumbai is coming soon.

The app connects you to the metro booking platform, and once you buy a ticket, it saves to Google Wallet. You can access it right from Google Maps when you need it. No more switching between five different apps to plan a trip.

Voice Navigation For Flyovers

Flyover navigation was added recently to tell you when to take the flyover and when to stay on the main road. Now that guidance comes with voice instructions.

This is helpful in heavy traffic or when you’re going fast and can’t look at the screen. It’s coming in nine Indian languages over the next few weeks.

Custom Two-Wheeler Avatars In Google Maps

This one is just for India and just for fun. If you ride a two-wheeler, you can now customise your navigation avatar.

Pick from different two-wheeler icons and colour them however you want. It’s a small thing, but it makes the app feel more personal. It’s rolling out to Android users soon.

Why Did Google Introduce These Features In India?

Google is treating India as a priority market, and for good reason. Millions of people here use Google Maps every day. The country has unique challenges — crazy traffic, mixed road conditions, lots of languages, and more two-wheelers than most countries can imagine.

By launching these features here first, Google is recognizing that what works in other markets might not work here, and what Indians need might be different.

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