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I'd been using Waze for a couple of years, and initially it was far superior to Apple Maps. But a few months back, I got really frustrated with it because it le

I'd been using Waze for a couple of years, and initially it was far superior to Apple Maps. But a few months back, I got really frustrated with it because it led me down some closed roads & ended up doubling my commute time home from work that day. I'd also been noting how off it was on its estimates on when I'd get to my destination. And I was also perturbed by it not knowing the back street entrance to my work site, though I've "paved it" on multiple occasions, it it remains uncorrected. So I switched over to Apple Maps and started tracking how often it is off in its estimates (& also trip duration) -- I have like a commute that can be anywhere from 40 minutes to 90 minutes or more, depending on traffic -- and I was pleasantly surprised that it got me to destination within +/-5 minutes of when it said it would and that the journey was taking less time that with Waze. It also knew about the back entrance of my work site and was able to route better with some of the smaller side streets in the neighborhood too. I've always preferred the Apple Maps UI -- it shows all the lanes at top, stoplights are more prominently shown, though the speedometer on Waze was nice, plus Waze alerted you to police presence too. It gives you a buffer when wishing to change route (Waze frequently would change the route and instruct me to take an exit that was 300 feet away when I was in the furthest lane from the exit side) to check off and is totally ad-free, and incorporated into iOS (yeah, Apple monopoly and all, true).

prepend 7y ago
Waze also shows me distracting landmarks like McDonalds that stand out on my map, annoyingly. It doesn’t offer me a way to customize what I see or add in restaurants I’m interested in.
- gowld 7y ago
  Customize it here: https://www.waze.com/business2 https://www.waze.com/business2
oflannabhra 7y ago
I seem to remember someone posting their results of testing Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze for ETA accuracy, and what you describe was also what they found: Apple Maps was the most accurate, Google Maps was optimistic, but accurate, Waze basically reported the best case scenario. Edit: found the original [0] I've long thought that Waze creates the illusion of saving massive amounts of time, when its benefits are marginal (although real). I know I personally prefer an active commute to one waiting in traffic, even if travel times are identical. Waze seems to maximize for the latter. [0] - https://arturgrabow.ski/2018/02/19/navigation-apps/amp/ https://arturgrabow.ski/2018/02/19/navigation-apps/amp/
- killjoywashere 7y ago
  I wonder if those who are more likely to measure something like this are more likely to drive closer to the speed limit? I tend to drive fast and find Google gets me there a couple minutes before ETA, Apple gets me there way before ETA, and Waze just overloads me with more information than I want.
- SamBam 7y ago
  Google Maps also got the person there 5% faster than Apple Maps, in that study. This really does call for a larger study, though. It would be nice to see how the error bars and potential differences come out across different trip times, and different drivers.
  - K0SM0S 7y ago
    You'd probably end with significantly different results based on country. Somehow the underlying logic of mapping AI seems to be more-or-less of a fit for national road systems — for instance in Europe, with lots of discrepancies between borders, it's really hit or miss: in France and Germany I end up on stupid country roads to save 2 minutes on a 2h drive, but that seldom happens in the Netherlands (granted they have a great road infrastructure). Switzerland is a mess too. My intuition (listening to AI and DL podcasts) is that they just train too-general US-based (or evaluated or reinforced more specifically) models. Anyhow it's a disappointing situation that e.g. Google maps makes way more mistakes today than it did 5 years ago (but it also does more overall, I guess it's a trade-off, e.g. now it's great for public transportation in large enough cities).
    - Swizec 7y ago
      I remember using some car’s built-in GPS once and it wanted me to take every freeway exit and get right back on after. Because it decided that saves time/distance. Maps really need a “not worth it” features for tiny optimizations. I’d often prefer a slightly slower route that’s less work to drive.
      - 7y ago
bbatsell 7y ago
This lines up with my experience. About a year and some change ago, it was undeniable to me that Apple Maps had become markedly superior at directions than Google Maps or Waze. GM/W would routinely just be very off and give me the alert to make a turn as I was passing it at speed. Apple has made one howler in the past year or so, directing me to a closed road — recovering from that took about 45 minutes because it was in rush hour at a bad spot — but I looked afterward and I’m pretty sure Google Maps would have given me the same route. Apple Maps’ directions for which lane to be in for an upcoming stoplight or exit are also far more accurate and helpful for me.
- ra7 7y ago
  I use Apple Maps, but I still think Google Maps is superior at directions only because Google offers more alternate routes and Apple sticks to the usual routes almost all the time. I also think Google is better at updating accidents on highways and ETA calculation. But Apple Maps has one massive advantage which is the reason I ditched Google Maps and that is the UX. I love how simple it is to read the maps. Important information is shown prominently during navigation and the UI feels super clean. Google Maps, on the other hands, feels really cluttered and slow. It takes a good few seconds just to see the map after you open the app because they are loading all the unnecessary BS like new restaurants, nearby events etc.
CPLX 7y ago
I love the idea of switching from Waze, which is increasingly frustrating and wrong. The problem is that having the speed traps and radar sites on there is just too crucial to give up. I've never found a replacement that does that.
- forty 7y ago
  Maybe it's a good opportunity for you to start following speed limits and stop risking everyone's life :)
  - flyingfences 7y ago
    Driving over the posted limit is not dangerous on most roads.
    - kazinator 7y ago
      For any value of "over"? Strapping on a rocket engine and going 900 mph meets the logical definition of "over the limit". Driving within a reasonable margin above the limit is safe on most roads, under good surface and visibility conditions.
    - mdavidn 7y ago
      Driving over the posted speed limit can appear safe when it definitely is not. My morning commute involves a blind left turn out of a residential street. Cars parked on the curb obstruct my view of oncoming traffic in the right lane. This isn't a problem when that traffic observes the 35 mph speed limit. I've had far too many close calls with self-centered jerks driving 55 mph in that lane. Sporty sedans are impossible to see over a row of parked cars.
      - loeg 7y ago
        If you can't see well enough to turn safely, you can't turn. Making a left into a lane of traffic, you do not have right of way. We have a similar visibility problem with parked cars near our driveway and our municipality allows for a certain amount of yellow paint on curbs adjacent to driveways, specifically for visibility. People generally respect it, or at least park further than before the paint. I'd encourage investigating if this is an option where you live.
victor106 7y ago
I agree with this. I use both Waze and Google maps. I opened Apple maps after a long time a few days back and i was suprised not only with the effcient directions but also the maps and the fact that i can clearly see the name of the road.
usaar333 7y ago
I personally use Waze over Google maps for navigation during commute times as it has the advantage of routing with HOV lanes. Does Apple maps support this? (I'm on Android)
- judge2020 7y ago
  Does waze work with detached-HOV/paid lanes? Google maps just gives up when taking the I-75 express lane to/from Atlanta since it's so far from the main interstate.
  - jki275 7y ago
    Waze works fine with them. But it's an option you have to turn off and on, you can't just click a button and route a different way. Sometimes it gets confused as well if you don't take a HOV lane that it wants you to.
kstrauser 7y ago
Same here. The other night I needed to drive from East Bay to SFO in the rain, and Apple Maps said it was going to take me 43 minutes with an ETA of 7:27PM. I ended up pulling into the parking garage at 7:28PM. Despite the rain and the red bridge traffic, the estimate was almost perfect. In my experience, it's almost always within a few minutes of correct.

prepend 7y ago

Waze also shows me distracting landmarks like McDonalds that stand out on my map, annoyingly. It doesn’t offer me a way to customize what I see or add in restaurants I’m interested in.

gowld 7y ago
Customize it here: https://www.waze.com/business2 https://www.waze.com/business2

oflannabhra 7y ago

I seem to remember someone posting their results of testing Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze for ETA accuracy, and what you describe was also what they found: Apple Maps was the most accurate, Google Maps was optimistic, but accurate, Waze basically reported the best case scenario. Edit: found the original [0] I've long thought that Waze creates the illusion of saving massive amounts of time, when its benefits are marginal (although real). I know I personally prefer an active commute to one waiting in traffic, even if travel times are identical. Waze seems to maximize for the latter. [0] - https://arturgrabow.ski/2018/02/19/navigation-apps/amp/ https://arturgrabow.ski/2018/02/19/navigation-apps/amp/

killjoywashere 7y ago
I wonder if those who are more likely to measure something like this are more likely to drive closer to the speed limit? I tend to drive fast and find Google gets me there a couple minutes before ETA, Apple gets me there way before ETA, and Waze just overloads me with more information than I want.
SamBam 7y ago
Google Maps also got the person there 5% faster than Apple Maps, in that study. This really does call for a larger study, though. It would be nice to see how the error bars and potential differences come out across different trip times, and different drivers.
- K0SM0S 7y ago
  You'd probably end with significantly different results based on country. Somehow the underlying logic of mapping AI seems to be more-or-less of a fit for national road systems — for instance in Europe, with lots of discrepancies between borders, it's really hit or miss: in France and Germany I end up on stupid country roads to save 2 minutes on a 2h drive, but that seldom happens in the Netherlands (granted they have a great road infrastructure). Switzerland is a mess too. My intuition (listening to AI and DL podcasts) is that they just train too-general US-based (or evaluated or reinforced more specifically) models. Anyhow it's a disappointing situation that e.g. Google maps makes way more mistakes today than it did 5 years ago (but it also does more overall, I guess it's a trade-off, e.g. now it's great for public transportation in large enough cities).
  - Swizec 7y ago
    I remember using some car’s built-in GPS once and it wanted me to take every freeway exit and get right back on after. Because it decided that saves time/distance. Maps really need a “not worth it” features for tiny optimizations. I’d often prefer a slightly slower route that’s less work to drive.
    - 7y ago

bbatsell 7y ago

This lines up with my experience. About a year and some change ago, it was undeniable to me that Apple Maps had become markedly superior at directions than Google Maps or Waze. GM/W would routinely just be very off and give me the alert to make a turn as I was passing it at speed. Apple has made one howler in the past year or so, directing me to a closed road — recovering from that took about 45 minutes because it was in rush hour at a bad spot — but I looked afterward and I’m pretty sure Google Maps would have given me the same route. Apple Maps’ directions for which lane to be in for an upcoming stoplight or exit are also far more accurate and helpful for me.

ra7 7y ago
I use Apple Maps, but I still think Google Maps is superior at directions only because Google offers more alternate routes and Apple sticks to the usual routes almost all the time. I also think Google is better at updating accidents on highways and ETA calculation. But Apple Maps has one massive advantage which is the reason I ditched Google Maps and that is the UX. I love how simple it is to read the maps. Important information is shown prominently during navigation and the UI feels super clean. Google Maps, on the other hands, feels really cluttered and slow. It takes a good few seconds just to see the map after you open the app because they are loading all the unnecessary BS like new restaurants, nearby events etc.

CPLX 7y ago

I love the idea of switching from Waze, which is increasingly frustrating and wrong. The problem is that having the speed traps and radar sites on there is just too crucial to give up. I've never found a replacement that does that.

forty 7y ago
Maybe it's a good opportunity for you to start following speed limits and stop risking everyone's life :)
- flyingfences 7y ago
  Driving over the posted limit is not dangerous on most roads.
  - kazinator 7y ago
    For any value of "over"? Strapping on a rocket engine and going 900 mph meets the logical definition of "over the limit". Driving within a reasonable margin above the limit is safe on most roads, under good surface and visibility conditions.
  - mdavidn 7y ago
    Driving over the posted speed limit can appear safe when it definitely is not. My morning commute involves a blind left turn out of a residential street. Cars parked on the curb obstruct my view of oncoming traffic in the right lane. This isn't a problem when that traffic observes the 35 mph speed limit. I've had far too many close calls with self-centered jerks driving 55 mph in that lane. Sporty sedans are impossible to see over a row of parked cars.
    - loeg 7y ago
      If you can't see well enough to turn safely, you can't turn. Making a left into a lane of traffic, you do not have right of way. We have a similar visibility problem with parked cars near our driveway and our municipality allows for a certain amount of yellow paint on curbs adjacent to driveways, specifically for visibility. People generally respect it, or at least park further than before the paint. I'd encourage investigating if this is an option where you live.

victor106 7y ago

I agree with this. I use both Waze and Google maps. I opened Apple maps after a long time a few days back and i was suprised not only with the effcient directions but also the maps and the fact that i can clearly see the name of the road.

usaar333 7y ago

I personally use Waze over Google maps for navigation during commute times as it has the advantage of routing with HOV lanes. Does Apple maps support this? (I'm on Android)

judge2020 7y ago
Does waze work with detached-HOV/paid lanes? Google maps just gives up when taking the I-75 express lane to/from Atlanta since it's so far from the main interstate.
- jki275 7y ago
  Waze works fine with them. But it's an option you have to turn off and on, you can't just click a button and route a different way. Sometimes it gets confused as well if you don't take a HOV lane that it wants you to.

kstrauser 7y ago

Same here. The other night I needed to drive from East Bay to SFO in the rain, and Apple Maps said it was going to take me 43 minutes with an ETA of 7:27PM. I ended up pulling into the parking garage at 7:28PM. Despite the rain and the red bridge traffic, the estimate was almost perfect. In my experience, it's almost always within a few minutes of correct.