How much data is used by Google Maps?

[barth]

I'm looking into replacing my aging GPS with a smart phone/Google maps setup. How much data is used every hour? I would like to know so I can see if I have enough data in my cell phone plan.

Thank you

[Fizz]

I'm amazed at all these comments and rants.

I remember a time when all we had was paper maps. The best thing going was a Triptic from AAA along with their travel books.

It's a wonder some of you can even make it out the door for a quart of milk.

[Bill_Satellite]

I have had various Garmin's since 2002 and the data is so out of date (always will be until they can be provide live internet data like Google) it is often a joke. Watching the GPS show me driving through a grass field when a new road is opened (years prior) repeating take the next left, enter ramp, whatever trying to get me onto a road that no longer exists.
If you are concerned about losing data on your trip (very rare these days) you can download the entire map covering the area you will be driving. You can even turn off the data if you want to save your data. You just won't get any live traffic data but you will have the same high quality routing without a lick of data. If you download that map at home using a WiFi connection you won't have used any data at all.
Just try finding a Costco that opened 6 months ago in your GPS and then try finding it with Google Maps and see who wins!

[Bill_Satellite]

Dup.

[wcjeep]

Google Maps now allows offline navigation. Highly recommend this even when using data. Offline maps allows faster access with active data. Also use offline maps when no data connection exists.

[KD4UPL]

I have a "real" GPS. Sometimes when I don't bring it I use my phone. There's no comparison, the "real" Garmin works way better and is much more convenient than Google on the phone. Particularly if I'm out where there's no cell phone signal.

[Bill_Satellite]

Don't listen to the naysayers. Google Maps (and WAZE) is awesome and so much more up-to-date than ANY GPS that there is really no comparison.
Maps does not use much data. I driver for Uber from time to time and using Google Maps 40 hours a week for a month I burn through about 4GB. How does that work out. 40 hours x 4 weeks is 160 hours so 4GB / 160 hours equals .025GB/hour or 250MB per 10 hours or 25MB/hour.
Pretty much any data plan you are using can support those minimal usages. If you want to download the maps for the area you plan to travel on a free connection you can reduce your usage to nearly nothing but you will not get any live traffic updates while using Google Maps off-line.

[aguablanco]

I use mine extensively and have never gone over 200mb.
RichH

[Rangerman40]

Enough to where if I go on vacation for a couple weeks and use it extensively I always go over my 6gb a month.

[Heisenberg]

CoPilot......an inexpensive app that puts the data in your phone. If you do not have enough storage capacity Google might be your answer. But when you have no phone signal CoPilot is still working. I have my CoPilot on my tablet also.

[gemert]

barth wrote:
I'm looking into replacing my aging GPS with a smart phone/Google maps setup. How much data is used every hour? I would like to know so I can see if I have enough data in my cell phone plan.

Thank you

I don't recommend it. Apps usually don't take your weight and height into account when routing you. Cell phone apps usually require a data connection and if you are somewhere without good data you are in trouble. I recommend a RV GPS like Garmin RV 760 or the new 770. Good luck.

[horton333]

barth wrote:
I'm looking into replacing my aging GPS with a smart phone/Google maps setup. How much data is used every hour? I would like to know so I can see if I have enough data in my cell phone plan.

Thank you

Download the offline maps and it's not that much. Depends on how exact an answer you want and your usage once last that.

[2oldman]

I don't know, but Google does