Google Maps Brings Its “Add A Pit Stop” Feature To iOS

Last fall, Google announced the addition of a long-requested feature to Google Maps, whichallowed users to – finally! – add a stop along their current route. That way you could routeyour way to a gas station or restaurant ahead of your final destination. However, at launch,the feature was only available on Android devices. Today, Google says the feature is nowavailable on all iOS devices as well, and is available in any country where Google Maps offersnavigation – or more than 100 countries worldwide.

The feature itself is something users of the Google-owned navigation app Waze have had forsome time, but was not yet available in Google Maps.

It’s surprising that it took Google so long to add such a basic feature to its navigation app.After all, hitting up a pit stop while on your way somewhere else is the norm – but, before,you would have to route your way to the pit stop, then start a new route from the pit stop toyour destination. And by creating two navigation sessions, it could be hard to see which gasstation, restaurant, or other stop would incur the least amount of extra driving.

Using the new “add a stop” option is fairly simple: while you’re in navigation mode, you’ll see amagnifying glass at the top right of your screen that, when pressed, offers a variety of optionsfor the type of places you might need to stop at, including gas stations, restaurants, grocerystores, or coffee shops. You can also search for more places in order to enter in a pit stop ofyour own choosing.

For safety’s sake, you can access the feature by way of voice commands by tapping on themicrophone button instead of typing. That will make using the option quicker and easierwhen you’re behind the wheel. (Of course you should not be fiddling with your phone whiledriving, but many still do.)

As you view your options plotted on the map, Google Maps will display the rating for eachdestination as well as the estimated time the detour will take, so you can make the bestselection.

The feature was already live on Android, but is today rolling out to iOS users worldwide, saysGoogle.