Using Google Maps to determine the optimal departure time for Thanksgiving.

• Google Maps is introducing new features and offering guidance on optimal travel times for a smoother holiday journey.
• The new features all roll out in the next few weeks.
• Google Maps recommends that travelers on Thanksgiving should journey before midday or after 4 pm.

According to blog posts from Wednesday morning, Maps is introducing new features and providing guidance on the best times to travel during the holiday season to minimize stress and travel time.

The travel advice is based on data from last year's Thanksgiving season, which can help you plan your road trip better.

The company's blog post announced that new updates will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Google Maps is used by over 1 billion people monthly, and the company is committed to updating the service to simplify travel. Google has recently released new and improved features, including Immersive View, which allows users to virtually explore cities.

Thanksgiving travel

To avoid traffic congestion during Thanksgiving, it is recommended to drive between 8 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday, or before noon or after 4 p.m. on the big day, according to Google Maps data.

The least busy time to travel for Black Friday shopping is before noon or after 7 p.m., with the worst stretch of the day being between 3 and 4 p.m.

The best time to leave for home over the weekend is around 7 or 8 p.m. local time, while the worst is between 3 and 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

This blog post from Google Maps provides guidance on the optimal times to visit bakeries and grocery stores during the holiday season, as well as tips for avoiding rush hour at the post office.

Emoji usage and more transit info

The new feature enables you to plan group meetings without worrying about location planning. You can share a location with friends and family, and they can leave an emoji to express their opinions. This is a subsection of the existing list feature that allows you to save locations.

The new tool will be launched for both iOS and Android in the upcoming weeks.

Google Maps is introducing a new feature that allows users to react to photos, videos, and reviews with an emoji. This feature aims to help users make more informed decisions and the rollout has begun.

Google Maps is soon to offer users a more personalized transit route experience by allowing them to specify criteria such as travel duration, walking distance, and number of stops. This feature will be available on both iOS and Android platforms in the near future.