# Google Maps Android Auto adds speedometer, fixes traffic colors

**Published:** 2026-07-22T19:03:24.540Z  
**Topic:** Google  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/126a29fc-8c10-4bb3-99f0-6b8fab4d649f

Google Maps on Android Auto now shows a live speedometer and restores colored traffic lanes after a glitch; see version numbers and workarounds.

Google Maps rolled out a live speedometer for Android Auto users and a simple fix restored the missing colored traffic overlay that had turned all roads gray for some drivers — both changes affect navigation clarity for millions of commuters [2][1].

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Feature | Live speedometer (beta) |
| Traffic fix | Switch to overview view (North‑Up) |
| Affected versions | Maps 26.28.03.942936911, Android Auto 17.2.662624 |
| Rollout status | Beta in Canada/India; broader rollout pending |

## Speedometer arrives on Android Auto  
Google Maps introduced a live speedometer to Android Auto in a beta build, mirroring a feature that has long existed on Android phones and debuted on Apple CarPlay in July 2024 [2]. The speedometer currently appears in regions where Google has speed‑limit data, with confirmed sightings in Canada and India [4]. Google has not announced a full‑scale rollout, and the feature is being delivered server‑side, meaning users may not see it until the gradual deployment reaches their locale [4].

## Traffic overlay glitch and workaround  
Separately, some Android Auto users reported that Google Maps stopped displaying the familiar colored traffic lines, showing all roads in gray [1]. The issue was linked to Maps version 26.28.03.942936911 running on Android Auto 17.2.662624. A community‑found workaround—tapping the North‑Up button to switch to the overview view—immediately restored the colored traffic overlay [1]. The problem does not affect all devices; users on the latest Android Auto 17.3 beta with a Pixel 10 Pro XL still see traffic colors correctly [1].

## Context and market implications  
The speedometer addition narrows a functional gap that Waze, also owned by Google, has long filled on Android Auto [2][4]. By bringing the speedometer in‑car, Google aligns Maps with competitor offerings and may reduce the incentive for drivers to switch to Waze for speed‑limit visibility. The traffic overlay glitch, while a bug, highlights the fragility of feature parity across Android Auto versions and could pressure Google to accelerate patches, especially as Android Auto undergoes a broader UI overhaul with widgets and video‑app support slated for later this year [1].

## What to watch
- **Beta expansion** – Monitor announcements for the speedometer’s rollout beyond Canada and India.  
- **Patch timeline** – Watch for a stable Android Auto update that addresses the traffic‑color bug, expected by month‑end according to the beta schedule.  
- **Competitive response** – Observe whether Waze introduces new features to retain users if Maps narrows the speedometer gap.

The speedometer’s debut and the traffic overlay fix together improve real‑time driving data on Android Auto, but the staggered rollout and lingering bug underscore the challenges of delivering consistent updates across Google’s automotive ecosystem.

## Sources
1. autoevolution — [Google Maps on Android Auto Loses Traffic Information, Users Call for Emergency Update](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/google-maps-on-android-auto-loses-traffic-information-users-call-for-emergency-update-273144.html)
2. NewsBytes — [Google Maps adds live speedometer to Android Auto in beta](https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/google-maps-adds-live-speedometer-to-android-auto-in-beta/tldr)
3. ZDNET — [I tried Google Maps' new 3D Immersive View for Android Auto, and it fixed my biggest navigation problems](https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-google-maps-new-3d-immersive-view-for-android-auto/)
4. autoevolution — [Pigs Started Flying: Google Maps Gets a Speedometer on Android Auto](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/pigs-started-flying-google-maps-gets-a-speedometer-on-android-auto-273048.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Google Maps Android Auto adds speedometer, fixes traffic colors", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/126a29fc-8c10-4bb3-99f0-6b8fab4d649f