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Apple Maps, no alternative routes?

Does Apple Maps ever show alternative routes (like Google Maps)? If so, is it a hidden option or something?


No matter what two destinations I enter, I just get 1 route, which can't even be changed. Not to mention that it's rarely the fastest; when comparing same journeys on Google Maps, it always comes up with faster/better alternatives.

iPhone 6s, iOS 10.2.1, null

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 10:13 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 11:34 AM

Thank you for your reply.


Being provided with alternate routes when your current one is a no-go, is the least we could expect. But I want them before I set out on my journey. This is the main reason why I still prefer Google Maps over Apple.


I've searched the answer to my question high and low and I too have yet to stumble upon a definite answer. It's hard to believe that Maps is so restrictive and limited (well, maybe not that hard, it is Apple after all 😝).

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Feb 16, 2017 11:34 AM in response to Gus

Thank you for your reply.


Being provided with alternate routes when your current one is a no-go, is the least we could expect. But I want them before I set out on my journey. This is the main reason why I still prefer Google Maps over Apple.


I've searched the answer to my question high and low and I too have yet to stumble upon a definite answer. It's hard to believe that Maps is so restrictive and limited (well, maybe not that hard, it is Apple after all 😝).

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Feb 16, 2017 3:19 PM in response to Gus

"Apple Maps doesn't give alternate routes if the first route provided is the best option."


I think that about sums it up then, although I'd change the end of that sentence to "the best option they have." Hopefully their route calculations improve over time, and maybe they'll even add alternate routes in the future.


I'll come back to Apple Maps every now and again to see if there's improvement, but for now Google Maps is the way to go for me.

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Feb 16, 2017 3:19 PM in response to Sandro88

You're welcome! To go into explanation of your question above.


From my experience Apple Maps works off of traffic conditions.


Most of the time Maps will only provide one route. This is the fastest and shortest route. Maps won't show any alternate routes.


If there is traffic for example then Maps will show you alternate routes. Such as a longer way but shorter time.


For example route one may be 10 miles but 30 minutes.

Route two may be 15 miles but 20 minutes.


Apple Maps doesn't give alternate routes if the first route provided is the best option.

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Feb 16, 2017 11:21 AM in response to Sandro88

Hello,


I don't believe there is an article explaining about alternate routes. But this is what I've personally experienced.


Yes Apple Maps will give you alternate routes. I've only noticed this happen if for example there is an accident or traffic. Then Maps will provide the fastest route and an alternate route.



Here's a picture:

User uploaded file


Use Maps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Feb 16, 2017 12:34 PM in response to Sandro88

You're welcome, I can understand your point. Apple wants to provide the best(as they do with every product) and the fastest route. This is probably why they don't put alternate routes unless it's necessary. Because Apple doesn't want you to drive a longer way(for example 5 extra miles) and take the same amount of time.


If you want you can submit feedback or a feature to Apple using the following link:

Feedback - Maps for iOS - Apple

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Feb 16, 2017 12:36 PM in response to Sandro88

I followed the steps in the "Get directions" section of:


Use Maps on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support


to "hypothetically" get from where I am currently to my house.


In addition to the "fastest" route (39 minutes), it also gave me two other "alternates (40 minutes & 1 hour 10 minutes). The alternates seemed to have nothing to do with "no-go" conditions and I got the options before I "set out" on my journey. I admit I could not find a way to get other alternatives or add intermediate destinations (like a gas station for example) which would be nice.

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Feb 16, 2017 12:55 PM in response to Gus

Gus wrote:


Apple wants to provide the best(as they do with every product) and the fastest route.


But as I wrote in my original post: it doesn't provide the fastest route. For instance, I checked the walking route from work to my new address and Apple Maps gave me a single route of 2.3 km. Then I checked the same thing on Google Maps and it showed 3 routes, the fastest being 2.1 km. Why doesn't Apple give me that route? I mean, sure, it's just a 200 meter difference, but if I walk that 5 days a week, it amounts to 1 km.


Thanks for the link, but I won't be submitting this issue to Apple. I'll just continue to use Google Maps, I guess.

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Feb 16, 2017 1:02 PM in response to javaliga

Thank you for replying.


"4. Select the route that you prefer. Maps shows the fastest route first based on traffic conditions."


In my case there isn't a "first", there's merely a single route. Unless I'm missing something and there is some hidden way of accessing the supposed alternate routes...?


javaliga wrote:


In addition to the "fastest" route (39 minutes), it also gave me two other "alternates (40 minutes & 1 hour 10 minutes).


Where these alternate routes on the main map? I only ever get a single blue-lined route.

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Feb 16, 2017 1:12 PM in response to Sandro88

I myself and probably many others don't know how Apple Maps work. They are both different providers so it's bound to happen that they provide different routes at times. So I can't give you a exact answer for that.


If you believe there is a better route available you can report it to Apple within Maps. Not with the link that I provided.


After you select "Directions" you could scroll to the bottom and select "Report an Issue" then select "Better Route Available"

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Apple Maps, no alternative routes?

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