Taxi or subway? Start the car or hug the bike lane? It’s not exactly planes, trains, and automobiles, but there’s a lot of different ways to get you to the same place, all of which might take longer or shorter depending on the current traffic conditions of your chosen method of travel. Google Maps announced today a potential salve for that burning decision in that you can now see the estimated length of time it’ll take for you to travel somewhere based on what type of transportation you take.
From the Lat Long Blog:
In areas where the information is available, this new and improved feature evaluates current traffic conditions and is constantly being refreshed to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date estimate possible. To see this feature, simply access directions as you normally would on Google Maps. Below the time estimate for how long your trip might take without any traffic, you’ll see the adjusted estimate that factors in current traffic data.
Let’s say you live in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., and you want to get to the Ronald Reagan National Airport. When you summon up directions on Google Maps, you can now see the estimated amount of time your trip will take via taxi based on the current traffic conditions. However, if you’re feeling leisurely about arriving at Reagan, you can check out how long it’ll take for you to take the metro. Below you’ll see the respective estimates for taking a taxi (or a car, I suppose) or taking public trans.
Uh, and if you’re feeling especially leisurely about getting to where you’re going, you can always compare the directions via bicycle although, ironically, that’s likely to take you the longest yet require the most amount of effort. But it’s your world, get there as you please.