Have you ever started a trip and suddenly found yourself surprised by an unexpected toll that makes your journey more expensive? We understand, and luckily, with today's navigation apps, it's possible to avoid these kinds of problems. If you use Android Auto in your vehicle, you're in luck: both Waze , the Google Maps They have implemented tools that allow you to see the toll prices on your routes before you hit the road. You can learn more about how to calculate toll prices. here. Today we tell you How to view toll prices with Android Auto.
Knowing the cost of tolls not only improves your planning, it also helps you make smarter decisions: Is it worth paying to save a few minutes? Is it worth it to detour to avoid paying? We'll explain. How can you see these prices from Android Auto? Using these two leading GPS navigation apps, their key differences, and everything you need to know to avoid another toll surprise.
Why is it so useful to know the price of tolls before traveling?
Although sometimes we do not give them importance, Tolls can add up to a considerable amount on long journeys. If you're also traveling on a budget, every euro counts. And beyond the economic aspect, there's another equally important variable: time. A toll road might save you an hour on your commute... or just five minutes.
To know how much each route will cost you With tolls, you can analyze whether it's worth it or not. Sometimes, avoiding a toll means spending more gas on additional kilometers, so the savings are relative. Other times, paying may be the most efficient option. It all depends on having the right information before making the decision., and that's exactly what these apps with Android Auto offer. Also, if you want to know how to avoid tolls on your routes with Google Maps, you can check it out. here.
Waze: A community that tells you the price of tolls
Waze is one of the most popular apps among drivers who use Android Auto, not only for its excellent navigation, but for its huge active communityIt is precisely the users who report in real time traffic jams, radars... and also approximate toll prices.
This feature has been widely praised for its reliability. Although it is estimates based on driver input, in most tests carried out by specialized media such as Xataka Android or ADSLZone the data have been shown quite accurate, with small margins of error of a few cents.
Set up Waze to display tolls on Android Auto
To see toll prices in Android Auto with Waze, First you must make sure you have toll routes activatedThis is done from the app itself:
- Open Waze on your mobile.
- Click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.
- Accede to Settings and then to Navigation.
- Disable the option Avoid tolls.
Once this is done, connect your phone to the car (wired or wireless) and open Waze on the Android Auto screen. After entering your destination, tapping on "Go", you will see the different routes available and, if any toll roads are included, its name will appear. estimated price on the sideThis feature makes Waze one of the best apps for those looking for efficient navigation solutions.
If you don't use Android Auto but do have your phone in a car mount, you can also access this feature. The process is identical, and Waze will show you the prices after you tap on “View routes”.
Advantages and accuracy of prices on Waze
Waze does not use official sources to display these prices, but thanks to its collaborative model, the data is constantly updatedUsers can report if a toll has increased or if a new payment option has been implemented.
This makes Waze an especially effective tool for local or little-known sections, where other apps can fall short. Plus, its simple and fast interface makes accessing this information en route very accessible.
A useful recommendation is to first look at the routes that include tolls and their price, and then activate the option to avoid tolls to compare routes with and without payment. This way, you'll have all the information before deciding which option to take. If you're interested in expanding your knowledge on how to activate widgets in Google Maps, you can do so. here.
Google Maps and its toll pricing integration
Although Waze takes a good part of the limelight, Google Maps has also started showing toll prices. since 2023. However, this feature is still limited to certain countries and routes, although Google has promised to gradually expand its coverage. Currently, In countries like the United States, India or Japan it works perfectly., but in Spain it may not yet be available on all routes.
The interesting thing about this feature in Google Maps is that yes it is based on official sources: highway concessionaires, traffic authorities and governments. In addition, Adjust the price based on the day of the week, estimated time of passage, or possible variable rates, which allows for an even more accurate estimate on long journeys.
How to activate toll prices in Google Maps?
Activating this feature in Google Maps is simple, although it may go unnoticed if you don't know where to look:
- Open Google Maps on your mobile.
- Click on your profile (up to the right).
- Go to Settings and then to Navigation Settings.
- Activate the option See electronic toll prices.
Also remember to check in “Route Options” that the option to avoid tolls is disabled, since if you have it checked, Google won't include those sections in its calculations. This is a handy way to visualize trip costs.
Once configured, when planning a compatible route, you will see the summary of toll costs before starting your journey. However, Google Maps only displays this information in the mobile app, not in the desktop version.
Which app is best for checking tolls with Android Auto?
Both options are very valid, but each has its strengths:
- Waze It's more dynamic, faster, and more versatile. Its community offers immediate and accurate information, ideal for highly variable journeys in traffic conditions or recent changes.
- Google Maps It is more reliable in terms of official data and accuracy on large tolls or frequent and well-documented routes.
If you frequently travel through familiar locations or countries where Google has already rolled out the feature, Google Maps can give you a very reliable estimate. If, on the other hand, you prefer a collaborative, real-time estimate compatible with all routes, Waze is the best choice.
Additionally, since both apps allow you to compare alternative routes before starting your trip, you can Quickly see if it's worth it to take a longer, toll-free route or pay a toll to save time. This feature is extremely useful for optimizing your trips. To learn about some ideal map apps for your travels, you can visit here.
And that's all for today! Let us know in the comments what you think of these tips for View toll prices with Android Auto. Thanks to these features available in Android Auto, it's becoming easier and easier to travel knowing exactly how much the trip will cost you, including tolls.