Tracking Your Moves: How Much Data Google Maps Uses

Travelling is thought that never forwards without thinking about network, data, and connectivity, so today we are to dissect precisely how much data Google Maps consumes in various scenarios, if you’re just looking at maps, getting turn-by-turn, looking at satellite images, or getting live traffic. We provide you with a quick overview of how to track your use, and how much data does Google Maps use? How to restrict data, and what it does with offline maps. Finally, we cover how Benosim can assist you with saving money involved in travelling anywhere, occasionally or daily commuting.

Google Maps is most likely the best device for travellers, so if you are thinking about how much data does Maps use, you are not the only one; serious tourists and daily commuters rely on it to navigate unknown places. Data usage catches you off guard when you are on mobile data (or roaming data) as opposed to Wi-Fi. Having some idea of a rough order of magnitude about how much data it actually uses, you will be better prepared, less surprised, and remain online without draining your pocket.

How Much Data Does Google Maps Really Consume?

Usage will depend on how you’re actually going to use Maps. Here’s an estimate from recent sources (2024-2025), breaking down what kind of use is about roughly equal to what kind of data consumption. These are the numbers that can give you clarity if you are wondering about how much data does maps use. 

Scenario Average Data Usage per Hour*

• Quick look at a map/navigation (drive, walk) ~ 3-5 MB/hr
• Navigation + live traffic data & recalculation ~ 7-10 MB/hr
• Satellite imagery ~ 15-20 MB/hr
• Street View or full image scan / high-resolution images
• Could further be constrained, tens of MBs of data per hour, depending on panning/or zooming and/or viewing images.

(Estimates; your use will likely vary with screen resolution, device, signal quality, refresh rate, etc.)

For example, “ordinary use” car navigation with basic map view is 2-5 MB/hr total. With the satellite view + live traffic activated and zoomed completely out. 

What Lies Behind the Data Usage?

There are literally dozens of factors that crank Google Maps’ data usage up and down by an astronomical amount

• Map type: Regular (vector) vs. satellite vs. Street View. Satellite and street view images have a lot of information.
  
• Live traffic & re-routing: Re-routing, periodic re-locations, or even simply taking a look at other routes consume more data.
  
• Zoom/pan/search details: POI searches (restaurants, shops), looking at photos or reviews, zoom in/out, panning the map around, etc.
  
• Frequency and duration: The more you use it and the longer, the more data.
  
• Offline vs Online Mode: Using downloaded offline maps uses way less data (usually down to zero for map display, although some features will not be available).
  
• Background data/updates: If the app is set to refresh in the background or update the maps automatically, that becomes significant.

How to Check Your Google Maps Data Usage

You’ll want to monitor your usage to avoid surprises. Here’s how:

• On Android:

Go to Settings → Network & Internet / Connections → Data usage → App data usage and look for More/Google Maps. It shows the mobile data consumed in an interval chosen.

• iPhone / iOS:

Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data) → scroll and see Google Maps in the list of apps, with usage listed under “Current Period.” Manually resetting that range will help with tracking use per trip.

Also, inspect background data allowances and whether Google Maps can auto-refresh or update when not being used. Google Maps data consumption decreases if you do that. 

Less Data Navigation Hacks

They’re smart, sensible hacks for reducing the data Maps uses, but still get what you need:

1. Download maps offline in advance

Download where you’d like it before losing or dropping Wi-Fi. Offline maps allow offline navigation, but traffic or detours will not be marked.

2. Use standard map view

Don’t use street or satellite view if you just need to cursorily glance over pictures, because if you’re wondering, how much data does GPS use, it consumes much more data.

3. Disable live rerouting & updating if supported

There would be no routed path (no ongoing rerouting and traffic update) if you don’t need them; turning off these will save data.

4. Cap pan and zoom

Each pan in/out or zoom to a new location requires more data.

5. Turn off background data/auto refresh

Make sure Google Maps is not uploading in the background when you are not using it, i.e., turn off background app refresh (if available) or background mobile data.

6. Turn off auto map update/auto-refresh items from settings

Some Maps versions have data-saving or “less data usage” settings. Find them and turn them on.

7. Use Wi-Fi for data

Download maps, search Point of Interest, preload satellite view, etc., when you are on free or safe Wi-Fi.

8. Use holiday data plans or eSIM while abroad

Holiday plans or tourist eSIMs can get superior data speeds and pay enormous roaming fees; a few of the trusted ones are Benosim. 

Offline Maps: What They Can & Can’t Do

Offline maps are a lifesaver if you have no signal or patchy data, and here’s everything you need to know:

• You pre-load some chunks of geography (city, region). They’re stored locally.
• Generic navigation will continue to function offline, search in Drive, and examine the location on the map.
• Traffic-type data (live traffic, jam, best route) will typically not function.
• Transit/pedestrian directions can be truncated or not as precise.
• Offline maps take up storage space and need to be updated occasionally (maps will somehow grow outdated after some period of time).

How Much Data Do You Need To Budget For?

According to your driving patterns, gadgets, and Google Maps usage, these are approximate monthly estimates to provide you with a rough estimate:

• Light user (accidental map look, brief sessions), perhaps 50-200 MB/month
• Moderate user (daily commute/repetitive driving/navigation + occasional zooming / POIs) 200-500 MB/month
• Heavy user (long drives, extensive street view/satellite usage, international travel) — 1-2+ GB/month

If you are wondering how much data does Google Maps use per hour, most ordinary sessions fall between 3–10 MB/hr, while satellite or Street View can quickly rise above that, and in the most unlikely of situations that you somehow end up overseas, note that roaming would double the cost.

Why Benosim for Connectivity

Benosim, with our eSIM unlimited data plans, we ought to be on the move without having to pop out and procure the bill to show at the letterbox as a horror experience. Benosim has eSIM/data plans particularly geared for tourists and travellers. Benosim conserves data and drives smart, so your worry for Google Maps data consumption is eliminated.

FAQs

• How much data does Google Maps use?

For regular usage, you will be using 3-5 MB/hour. It’s worse when using live traffic, satellite view, or Street View.

• Is Google Maps usable offline?

Yes—if you’ve downloaded offline maps of the area beforehand, although your real-time location, navigation, and real-time traffic are not available offline.

• Is satellite view data-intensive?

Satellite view can consume 15-20 MB/hour. Actual consumption can be dependent on the zooming feature, image resolution, etc.

• Will Google Maps background data usage cost more?

Yes. If background app activity is allowed (auto refresh, map updates, etc.), Maps may use data even when you’re not actively navigating.