Today, Google announced the launch of several new features to help you plan your vacation. These features cover everything from traveling by public transportation to planning a trip in an electric car or trailer.

Most features are built around making travel easier and getting around without getting caught in the holiday crowds.

Some features already exist in Google Maps, but could be improved upon or are good tools to use when planning holiday travel and shopping.

For example, Immersive View is being integrated into Maps starting in 2023, and as Google points out in a blog post, this tool will help with route planning; a 3D planner will allow you to check parking situations and unexpected turns before you leave; and a 3D planner will help you plan your trip so you can see where you're going and where you'll need to go.

Similarly, Google already offers a Popular Time Zones feature that tracks the best and worst times to travel. This year, Google analyzed data from that tool to find the busiest and least crowded times of day at airports, post offices, shopping centers, and other popular places that many people visit during the holidays.

Google also highlighted the Gemini integration the company added to Maps this year. What are some fun winter activities in New York City?” which utilizes the AI assistant to find events using conversational language such as “What are some fun winter activities in New York City? It can also ask Gemini questions such as, “Does this location have free parking?” The assistant can also ask questions such as “Does this location have free parking? The assistant will also provide a summarized review of the location to learn what others think about the restaurant, event space, or store.

Although there has reportedly been little snow this year, a new feature of Maps is the ability to report “weather disruptions” such as unplowed roads, poor visibility, and flooded roads. This should help other drivers by letting them know what to expect.

If you use public transportation, Maps has also added a feature to report delays, allowing you to get information based on reports from other users and local agencies. Google has also added “clearly marked” entrances to subway stations and alternative transportation routes on the map.

For those with electric vehicles, Maps sees a number of EV-specific improvements arriving this year, including adding the ability to find filtering charging stations rather than gas stations. Google said that as part of the announcement, users can now plan trips on their cell phones and send their routes directly to their EVs. You can also add the make and model of your car to your phone's map, and Google claims that the map will “automatically show you the corresponding charging stations every time you search.”

For those who haul luggage in trailers or travel in campers during the holiday season, Google Maps will allow the dimensions of the luggage to be entered “into [one's] car, built into Google,” and Maps will create routes that avoid low bridges and tunnels. Currently, this feature is only available on the 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, and GMC Yukon, but Google says more “compatible vehicles” will have access in the future.

If you're like me, you've used Google Maps to search for places that sell specific items like comic books or board games.

When you actually search for a product on the map, it will show you the stores that sell that product. This feature does not appear to work for all products, but Google states that it can find “household goods, electronics, apparel, and grocery store items,” among others.

Once a product is entered, Google Maps will locate the associated store and provide easy directions from there.

Finally, Google has added a new “Best Price” tab to Google Flights to help find the best airfare deals. This tab was launched in October and will appear next to the options that Google Flights considers “best” after you enter your itinerary.