Why does Google Maps say that driving from San Francisco to Seattle via Portland is 30 minutes faster than driving from San Francisco to Seattle?
I read the following ETAs:
- GMaps: San Francisco to Seattle: 13h23min.
- GMaps: San Francisco to Seattle via Portland, Oregon: 12h55min.
Why does Google Maps say that driving from San Francisco to Seattle via Portland is 28 minutes faster than driving from San Francisco to Seattle?
I would have thought that adding a connecting city would increase the estimate time, not decrease it.
Screenshots (taken at the same time):
GMaps: San Francisco to Seattle (mirror): 13h23min:
GMaps: San Francisco to Seattle via Portland, Oregon (mirror): 12h55min:
Best Answer
When you entered the direct route, google maps suggested the route that takes you through Portland by using the highway that seemed most "direct" to Seattle and it made sure to avoid making you "enter" Portland:
However, when you added Portland as a stop, google maps took the liberty of finding the best route within Portland which resulted in avoiding a nasty traffic in the same "direct" highway that was suggested in the direct route:
Pictures about "Why does Google Maps say that driving from San Francisco to Seattle via Portland is 30 minutes faster than driving from San Francisco to Seattle?"
Does Google Maps overestimate driving time?
Google Maps driving times are far from accurate, in general they tend to be too optimistic. It is a widely accepted rule of thumb that you should add 25-30% to the estimates.How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Seattle Washington?
The San Francisco to Seattle drive time is around 13 hours if you just drive straight down the I-5N. Do that though and you'll miss out on all these great things to see along the route.How do I change the driving time on Google Maps?
Swipe left or right through the transportation options until you see the transit icon. Just below the transit options, you will see \u201cDepart at\u2026\u201d. Tap on \u201cDepart at\u2026\u201d, and adjust the time that you wish to depart. Use the Picker Item to choose the date and time that you would like to depart for your trip, then tap Done.How long does it take to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Seattle?
The drive from San Francisco to Seattle can take as little as 13 hours, or 16 hours or more if you take the coastal highway for part of the route. However, any route you choose will bring you through some of the most charming towns and beautiful scenery on the West Coast.1326 miles in 11 minutes: Seattle → San Francisco → San Diego (time-lapse/drive-lapse)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Helena Lopes, Quintin Gellar, Tim Gouw, Helena Lopes