If you’ve ever tapped “fuel-efficient route” on Google Maps hoping to save some gas money, only to show up 15 minutes late, you’re not alone.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly how and why Google Maps prioritizes fuel efficiency over speed — and what that means for your ETA. We’ll also talk about when you should use the fuel-saving option… and when you’re better off skipping it altogether.
Quick Answer
Yes — fuel-efficient routes can make you arrive later.
Google Maps’ fuel-efficient routing prioritizes energy savings over speed. So yes — it can absolutely cause you to arrive later, sometimes by several minutes or more, depending on your route.
Use fuel-efficient routing when:
You’re not in a rush.
You drive a hybrid or electric vehicle
These types of vehicles perform best with smoother, stop-and-go traffic or slower speeds — which fuel-efficient routes often provide.
You want to reduce your carbon footprint
Every drop of fuel saved reduces emissions. If you’re environmentally conscious, these routes are aligned with your goals.
Gas prices are high
When fuel is expensive, saving even a few percent adds up. Choosing the green route can stretch your tank farther.
Avoid fuel-efficient routing when:
You’re on a tight schedule
You’re driving in unfamiliar areas
Fuel-efficient routes sometimes involve turns through neighborhoods or smaller roads, which can feel disorienting or risky in a new city.
The time difference is significant
If Google Maps shows “Fuel-efficient: 15 mins longer,” and it’s just a 30-minute drive, that’s a big jump. In these cases, speed wins.
You drive a fuel-efficient vehicle already
If your car is already optimized for great mileage (like a Toyota Prius or EV), the extra effort to save fuel may not be worth the detour.
How Google Maps’ “Fuel-Efficient Route” Feature Works
Google Maps rolled out its fuel-efficient routing system in 2021 with a mission: help drivers save money on gas and reduce emissions — all with just a different route. But how does it actually work?
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
🌱 It uses advanced data + AI modeling
Google pulls in massive datasets — including information from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — to understand which types of routes consume more or less fuel. It analyzes things like:
- Road incline (elevation changes)
- Traffic flow and congestion
- Speed limits and road types
- Stop signs, traffic lights, and turns
🚗 It tailors results based on your car’s engine type
If you’ve set your vehicle preferences inside Google Maps, it can recommend routes based on whether you’re driving a gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicle. Different engines are more efficient under different conditions, so your car type affects the suggestion.
📍 It doesn’t always pick the shortest OR the fastest
Unlike traditional navigation that’s laser-focused on time or distance, this feature zeroes in on fuel economy. That means:
- You might take more turns to avoid stop-and-go traffic.
- It may send you on slower roads instead of highways.
- The total distance might even be a little longer — but you’ll burn less gas getting there.
The result? A route that helps reduce your carbon footprint and keeps more dollars in your fuel budget… even if it costs you a few extra minutes.
How to Enable Fuel Efficient Routes on Google Maps?
To enable fuel-efficient routing:
- Open Google Maps
- Go to Settings > Navigation Settings
- Tap Route options
- Enable “Prefer fuel-efficient routes”
Google will then default to this route when available — and will let you compare with the fastest option before you start driving.
Why you might end up arriving later, even though you chose “Fuel-Efficient Route” in Google Maps
Choosing the fuel-efficient route doesn’t guarantee the quickest arrival. In fact, it often does the opposite.
Let’s break down exactly why:
1. It avoids high-speed roads
Fuel-efficient routes often steer you away from highways because high speeds — especially above 50 mph (80 km/h) — cause engines to burn more fuel. Even though highways get you there faster, they’re not always the most efficient in terms of gas usage.
2. It prioritizes steady driving
Fuel economy improves when you drive at consistent speeds. That’s why Google Maps may send you through local streets with fewer stop-and-go conditions or gradual curves — even if it adds miles or minutes.
3. Traffic patterns play a big role
Google analyzes real-time traffic data and historical congestion to figure out where you’ll waste fuel idling. A longer road with smoother flow might be suggested over a shorter one with heavier congestion.
4. Your vehicle type changes everything
For example, a hybrid car performs great in stop-and-go traffic due to regenerative braking. So your fuel-efficient route might include more city driving. A diesel engine? It might lean toward long, flat stretches. The algorithm adjusts based on that input.
5. Sometimes, it’s just a more complicated route
To save that 7% in fuel, the app might have you take a winding path that involves more turns, back roads, or intersections. And that can feel slower — because it usually is.
In conclusion, Google Maps isn’t making a mistake — it’s deliberately giving you a slower route because it believes it’s more efficient for your wallet and the planet. Whether that trade-off is worth it, is totally up to you.
Cost & Environmental Benefits
So, is it really worth it to take the longer way just to save a bit of fuel? For a lot of drivers — yep, it actually is. Even if it adds a few extra minutes to your trip, the long-term benefits can be surprisingly solid.
Let’s break it down.
💰 Fuel savings add up more than you think
Google Maps estimates that fuel-efficient routes can save you up to 30% in fuel, depending on your driving style, car type, and route. Even if the average is closer to 6%–10%, here’s how that plays out:
- Assume you drive 15,000 miles a year
- Your car gets 25 mpg (miles per gallon)
- Gas costs $3.80 per gallon (USD)
You’d normally spend about $2,280/year on fuel.
A 10% savings could mean $228 back in your pocket — just by changing your route habits.
And that’s every year. Not bad for showing up 5 minutes later, right?
🌍 Environmental impact is real
Google Maps’ own data says fuel-efficient routes have already helped prevent over 1 million metric tons of carbon emissions. That’s like taking 200,000+ cars off the road for an entire year.
If you care about sustainability, these small daily choices — when multiplied across millions of users — make a massive global impact.
And if you’re driving an older, less efficient vehicle, the environmental benefit is even greater.
🧠 Bottom line:
- If time isn’t critical, taking the eco-route makes sense.
- You’ll save money on fuel, reduce wear on your car (less stop-and-go), and do your part for the environment.
- But if you’re under time pressure or the detour is just too much, the fastest route is still there for you.
The best part? Google Maps lets you choose — every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is Google Maps taking me on longer routes?
Google Maps might be prioritizing fuel savings, traffic conditions, or even road safety over speed. If you have fuel-efficient routing turned on, it will often suggest a longer route that uses less gas — even if it takes more time.
Q2. How to get Google Maps to show fastest route instead of fuel efficient every time?
Go to Google Maps Settings > Navigation Settings > Route Options, and turn off the setting that says “Prefer fuel-efficient routes.” Once off, Google will default to the fastest route whenever you get directions.
Q3. Will this feature work if I drive an EV (electric vehicle)?
Yes! Google Maps allows you to choose your vehicle type (gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric), and the routing suggestions will adjust based on that. EV drivers get routes that consider battery efficiency, not just fuel.
Q4. Why is there no time difference between the fuel-efficient and fastest route sometimes?
In some cases, the most fuel-efficient route is also the fastest — especially when traffic is low, roads are flat, and the speeds are consistent. When that happens, it’s a win-win!
Conclusion
Fuel-efficient routes on Google Maps are a clever blend of tech, traffic data, and environmental awareness — but they’re not without trade-offs.
Sure, they might add a few extra minutes to your trip, and yes, it can be a little annoying when your ETA keeps slipping behind schedule. But if your goal is to save on gas, reduce wear on your car, or simply lower your carbon footprint, the slight delay could be totally worth it.
The key is knowing when to use it.
Google gives you the power to choose: fastest route or fuel-saver. Neither is “wrong” — it just depends on your priorities that day.
So the next time Google Maps asks if you’d like to take the greener route, you’ll know exactly what you’re signing up for — and whether or not it’s the right move.
