Google Maps has begun displaying live travel time estimates on the “Home” suggestion chip for some users. The feature, reported by a user on Discord (via Android Authority), provides at-a-glance traffic information without requiring the user to initiate navigation to their saved home location.
The modification was first documented by Discord user “winner00,” who supplied a screenshot of the updated user interface. The “Home” chip, which is designed to appear below the main search bar when a user is away from their designated home address, now includes a travel time estimate. This marks the first observed instance of the chip displaying such information. The time shown is dynamic and appears to be color-coded, consistent with the app’s existing navigation visuals. In the provided example, an orange-colored time indicates the presence of some traffic along the suggested route home. Previously, the chip served only as a shortcut to begin routing.
This development expands upon a broader update to Google Maps released earlier in the year, which introduced estimated times of arrival (ETAs) directly within the route planner interface before a user begins turn-by-turn navigation. The new chip-based display offers a specific utility for commuters or individuals heading home who are already familiar with the route. For these users, activating full navigation can be superfluous. By presenting the travel time prominently, the feature allows a person to quickly assess whether the journey will take longer than usual due to traffic congestion. This information can inform a decision on whether to launch the full navigation mode to examine traffic details more closely or to search for alternative routes.
The feature also allows individuals to passively monitor their potential trip duration as they conduct their daily activities, removing the need to repeatedly open the route planner for updates. At present, Google has not issued a confirmation regarding a widespread rollout of this functionality. The appearance of the travel time on the Home chip could represent a server-side test being conducted with a small subset of users or the initial phase of a limited release.
