Google Maps is the best for navigation, and its gestures make the drive easier to manage. You can zoom in for exits, tilt to preview a flyover, and rotate so the map matches the road ahead. I use these on every trip because they cut out extra taps and keep the view clear when it matters. Once you try them, the usual button-tapping feels slow and unnecessary.
Zoom in and out faster
Get a clearer look ahead
The gesture I use the most is zooming in and out. When I’m on the road, I often need a quick look at the next turn or a clearer view of a busy intersection. Sometimes I zoom out to check how far the next fuel stop or traffic buildup is before deciding whether to take a detour. A quick double-tap on the map zooms in, while tapping with two fingers together zooms out. You can also pinch to zoom out or spread to zoom in, just as you would when viewing photos.
It’s best to make these adjustments when the car is stationary and rely on voice controls for directions while driving. If the voice guidance ever goes silent mid-route, double-check your Maps voice settings to ensure navigation stays active for the rest of the trip. When you drag the map to explore ahead, it may stop following your route. Tap the location button again to bring it back to your position.
Tilt the map for a better view
See ramps and turns clearly
Tilting the map gives a clearer perspective, and I use it whenever I want to see more of the road ahead. I place two fingers on the screen and slide them upward together to raise the viewing angle, which shifts the flat map into a forward-looking view that mirrors what you see through the windshield. If I need an overhead view again, I slide the same two fingers downward to lower the angle and return to the top-down map.
This gesture helps most on highways, multi-level roads, and flyovers. A slight tilt makes ramps, merges, and lane splits easier to read, so you can see where an exit begins or how two roads connect before you reach them. It reduces second-guessing at busy junctions and helps you stay more confident when traffic is heavy.
On familiar roads, I keep the map slightly tilted for a forward view, but when the route is new or the area is crowded, I switch back to the flat view to follow directions more easily.
Rotate the map to match your direction
Align the screen with your path
Sometimes the top of the screen remains fixed to the north, even when traveling in another direction. That may cause your route to appear sideways or downward. Rotate the map so your direction points upward and the view matches the road ahead. To use this, tap the screen with two fingers and gently roll them in a circular motion, as if turning a dial. The map rotates to match the way you are moving. To return to the original layout, tap the compass icon.
This gesture is most useful when roads curve or split, or when you need a closer look at a junction or side road. Some navigation modes rotate automatically, but if yours doesn’t, you can control it manually. Avoid rotating too often, since it can feel confusing when the screen no longer matches the road.
Double-tap and drag
Zoom with precision, no pinching
After aligning the map with the road, the last gesture I reach for is double-tap and drag. It lets you zoom with one finger while your other hand stays on the wheel. Double-tap the map and keep your finger on the second tap, then drag up to zoom out or down to zoom in. The zoom adjusts smoothly as you move your finger, and lifting it locks the view in place.
It’s especially helpful at interchanges where multiple lanes or exits meet. I use a short downward drag to read an exit number or lane markings, then slide upward to pull back and see how the ramps reconnect. If the phone is mounted a little farther away, a one-finger pinch is easier than a two-finger pinch. Once you get the timing, it feels faster than pinching and keeps your attention on the route instead of the screen.
Drive smarter with every gesture
Use these gestures together and Maps becomes much quicker and easier to read. Practice while parked, so each move feels natural. Once you’re comfortable, set a natural tilt, learn the two-finger rotate with a quick compass reset, and master the one-finger zoom so you can adjust without shifting your grip. If you want to go beyond gestures, there are other smart Google Maps tricks that make navigation even smoother.