Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country road trip or taking a quick hop downtown, Apple Maps is one of the navigation apps you should use for any trip. It’s also the default platform your iPhone uses, so it’s helpful to learn the many ins and outs of the software. One visual element you may not be aware of is the red lines that sometimes appear on your Apple Maps route. Unfortunately, these are bad omens, as they mean there is heavy traffic ahead.
According to the r/applemaps community, Apple Maps generates three warning colors:
- Yellow, for slowing down.
- A lighter red for stop-and-go traffic.
- A darker red (closer to brown) for bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Before you even leave your driveway, Apple Maps lets you pre-check your route to see what kinds of traffic conditions you can expect. To do this, launch the Maps app and set up a route. Next, select the button at the top right of the screen, tap Driving or Satellite, then select the X icon.
Apple Maps will also display incident markers on or near the route to inform you of the types of hazards and other important road features you will encounter on your journey, including accidents, speed checks, road works, and road closures. You can even report an accident or hazard by calling Siri and saying “Report an accident” or “There’s something in the road.”
The Best Way to Navigate Traffic Is to Avoid It Completely
Juliealexk/Getty Images
Let’s say Apple Maps has generated a route for you that doesn’t bode well for one reason or another. Typically, the map offers different routes to consider, suggesting different travel ETAs for each. You can also tell Apple your driving preferences, such as not wanting highway routes. Grab your iPhone and go to Settings > Maps > Driving, then turn on “Highways” (under the Avoid section). Even if you end up adding a few miles to your route or arriving at your destination at a slower speed, you’re probably better off sitting through the chaos of rush hour. Another option would be to avoid toll booths, which increasingly use cameras that rarely make a mistake to identify you on the road.
Apple Maps should generally present you with at least one alternative route when the preferred path is bottlenecked, without you needing to change route settings, but toggling them may force the route planner to consider other options.
One last thing to consider is that maps apps tend to use official directions and don’t always know when a street is under construction. Apple Maps tracks you, both to know your favorite locations and to help you identify unexpected slowdowns. But the system isn’t perfect and it’s always worth listening to local residents via an app if someone else suggests a better route.
