Google Maps Platform
The mapping and routing engine behind countless delivery, transport and logistics apps
What it is
About Google Maps Platform
Google Maps Platform provides APIs for maps display, geocoding, distance/time calculation, and route optimisation, drawing on Google's real-time traffic and mapping data. It's widely used in logistics and transport applications to plan efficient multi-stop routes, estimate delivery times, and provide live navigation, rather than as an end-user consumer app.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Embed interactive maps into websites and apps
Geocode addresses and calculate distances/travel times
Optimise multi-stop delivery or service routes
Provide live turn-by-turn navigation within an app
Analyse traffic patterns to improve route planning
How to learn it
Learning Resources
Google Maps Platform's official documentation and quickstart guides
Google Cloud's free tier and Codelabs for hands-on practice
YouTube tutorials on integrating the Directions/Routes API
Practise by building a simple route planner for a small personal project
Pro Tip
Cache geocoding and routing results where possible — API calls are billed per request, and re-querying the same fixed addresses repeatedly is one of the most common ways teams get an unexpectedly large bill.
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool