Google Maps MCP
Official Google Maps MCP server — geocoding, directions, places search, and distance calculations through AI.
// Add to your client
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-maps": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-google-maps"],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "<your-api-key>"
}
}
}
}Paste into your client's MCP configuration file.
// Try it now
"Find 3 highly-rated pizza restaurants within 2 miles of Times Square, New York"
- ! Google Maps is usage-based with monthly free credit — heavy use incurs real cost
- ! API keys must have billing enabled on your Google Cloud project
- ! Quotas apply per product (Places, Directions, Geocoding) — each has its own limit
API key or simple config
// When to use
- You need location-aware answers (places near a point, directions, travel times)
- You're building travel or logistics workflows
- You want to validate or geocode addresses
- You're integrating maps data into an agent workflow
// When NOT to use
- You only need a static map image — use the Static Maps API directly
- You need offline maps — this needs network and API quota
- You're on a tight free tier — Google Maps billing can escalate
// Usage Scenarios
Places Search
Find businesses or points of interest near an address.
Example prompt
"Find the 5 best-rated sushi restaurants within a mile of the Empire State Building"
Directions & Travel Time
Get routes, distances, and durations between locations.
Example prompt
"How long does it take to drive from JFK airport to downtown Manhattan at 5pm on a weekday?"
Geocoding
Convert addresses to coordinates or vice versa.
Example prompt
"Geocode this list of 20 business addresses and return lat/lng for each"
// About
Plain English
This server gives your AI assistant access to Google Maps — the same data you use when you search for a restaurant on your phone or check how long the drive home will take. Once it's set up, you can ask Claude location questions in plain English and get real, current answers. Ask 'find the five best-rated coffee shops within walking distance of this address,' 'what's the driving time from the office to the airport during rush hour,' or 'turn this list of customer addresses into latitude and longitude.' The AI calls Google's Places, Directions, and Geocoding services on your behalf and reads the results back. It's useful for personal errands, planning a trip, or quick research — but it really shines when you have a list of locations to process. Cleaning up addresses, sorting prospects by drive time, or summarizing what's near each store in a small chain are tasks that used to require a spreadsheet and a lot of clicking. With Maps connected, your AI does them in one step. Costs are usage-based, so a casual hobby project stays inside Google's free monthly credit.
The official Google Maps MCP server integrates Google Maps Platform APIs into AI assistants. Geocode addresses, get directions, search for places, calculate distances, and access Street View — all through natural language.
Maintained as an official reference implementation with full Google Maps Platform coverage.
// Use Cases
- Look up addresses and coordinates through conversation
- Get driving and transit directions with AI
- Search for nearby businesses and places
- Calculate travel times between locations
// Works With
// Related Servers
Gmail MCP
Gmail MCP server — read, send, and search emails in Gmail through AI-powered natural language interaction.
Slack MCP
Official Slack MCP server — read channels, post messages, search history, and manage your Slack workspace through AI.
GitHub MCP
Official GitHub MCP server — manage repos, issues, PRs, and code search directly from your AI assistant.