Google Maps Defaults to Fuel Efficiency, Not Speed

Google Maps, the world's most downloaded mapping app in 2025 according to AppTweak data, does not consistently display the fastest route by default when users search for directions. Instead, the application prioritizes showing the most fuel-efficient route. This default setting, while beneficial for environmental concerns and cost savings by minimizing fuel consumption, can result in travel times that are one to five minutes longer, as reported by the logistics company Upper. For users whose primary concern is minimizing travel time, Google Maps offers a straightforward method to alter this default behavior. By accessing the app's settings, users can navigate to the 'Navigation' section and toggle off the "Prefer fuel-efficient routes" option. Once this setting is disabled, Google Maps will then default to presenting the fastest route available for any given journey. This adjustment may lead to increased fuel usage but ensures that the quickest arrival time is prioritized.

Apple Maps approaches default route suggestions differently than Google Maps. Apple's mapping service does not necessarily present either the fastest or the most fuel-efficient route as its initial suggestion. The app's default behavior may vary, potentially offering routes based on factors other than strict speed or fuel efficiency. Users seeking to ensure they receive the fastest route suggestions from Apple Maps may need to manually review the options presented for each specific trip, as the app does not offer a universal toggle for prioritizing speed over other considerations in the same way Google Maps does. This difference in default functionality means users of Apple Maps need to be more actively engaged in selecting their preferred route type for each navigation task.