How many GB does Google Maps use?
Google Maps uses 20 to 60 MB per hour of navigation — little per hour, but on a trip you use it ALL day: walking, on the subway, hunting for restaurants. It adds up to 50-150 MB daily, more if it recalculates routes or loads place photos.
Consumption by usage type
| Usage | Consumption |
|---|
| Driving navigation (1 h) | 30-60 MB |
| Walking with the map open (1 h) | 20-40 MB |
| Browsing places, photos & reviews (30 min) | 30-80 MB |
| Street View (5 min) | 30-50 MB |
3 ways to use less
- Offline maps: download the city on Wi-Fi before heading out (Maps → your photo → Offline maps). Driving navigation works offline; public transit doesn't.
- Skip Street View and restaurant photo galleries on mobile data: they're the biggest consumers.
- Wi-Fi-only mode in Maps settings if you want total control.
The uncomfortable truth
Maps isn't the problem — social and cloud photo sync are. But the fear of running out of data makes people turn off GPS exactly when they need it most (getting lost in a new city to save 40 MB?). With an unlimited plan, the map stays open all day.
Simulate your price for your exact travel dates — it takes 1 minute and needs no sign-up.
See my price →Frequently asked questions
Does Google Maps work without internet?
Yes, with downloaded maps: search and driving navigation work offline. Public transit, live traffic and reviews need a connection.
Does Waze use more than Google Maps?
Similar (30-60 MB/h). Waze relies more on live data, so it doesn't work offline.
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