About Waze
Waze is a community-driven navigation app where millions of drivers share real-time road information including traffic jams, accidents, police speed traps, road hazards, and the cheapest gas stations nearby. This crowd-sourced data makes Waze uniquely responsive to current road conditions.
The routing algorithm is optimized for the fastest arrival time, often finding creative shortcuts through side streets that traditional GPS apps miss. Planned drives let you set departure alerts based on real-time traffic predictions so you leave at the optimal time.
Fun features include celebrity voice navigation (Shaq, Morgan Freeman, T-Pain), road mood indicators, and achievement badges for contributing road reports. The Waze Carpool feature connects commuters going the same direction.
Key Features
- Real-time community traffic reports
- Police, accident, and hazard alerts
- Cheapest gas station finder
- Planned drives with departure alerts
- Celebrity voice navigation options
- Carpool matching for commuters
- Speed camera and red light alerts
Pros & Cons
👍 What We Like
- Best real-time traffic avoidance of any GPS app
- Community reports for police and hazards save tickets
- Gas price comparisons save money
- Creative routing finds faster shortcuts
👎 What Could Be Better
- Map data less detailed than Google Maps
- No offline navigation support
- Battery drain is significant
- No public transit or walking directions
User Reviews
Waze has saved me 20-30 minutes on my commute by finding faster routes through side streets. The police alerts are a nice bonus. Community reports are remarkably accurate and up-to-date. The departure alert for planned drives ensures I leave on time.
I drive 40,000 miles a year for work and Waze is my co-pilot. The gas price feature alone saves me hundreds annually. The community aspect is fun — I report hazards and feel like I'm helping other drivers. Shaq's voice navigation cracks me up every time.