Parking information has started to show up in the latest version of Google Maps. At the moment, this seems to only be available to a select number of users. Likewise, the feature only seems to be currently available via the beta version of the Google Maps app. While it is unclear as to whether the select users are region-specific or whether this is available to users in all regions, it does seem to be working for some users in the US.
In terms of the new feature, when looking for directions to somewhere, initial parking information will be shown in the directions overview of Google Maps. In the first instance, this appears as a small round blue “P” icon besides the overall time and distance breakdown (as shown above). In addition to the P icon, parking availability is typically described as either easy, medium, or limited. Denoting how easy it is to park at that location. As you will be able to see in the images below, if parking is limited, then the blue round ‘P’ icon, actually appears in a red color.
It also seems that once you click through to the actual driving directions, you start to get more detailed information coming through on the parking availability. Although, this information is not real-time based and it only details how parking typically is at a destination. As the new feature is only currently working via the beta version of Maps, unless you are running the beta version, you are unlikely to see this feature at all. Although, as is the case with most features that show up in a beta version of an app, it should be expected that in due course the feature will make its way to the normal (non-beta) version of Google Maps as well. In the meantime though, if you would like to give the latest version of the beta Maps app a try and see if the new feature is live for you, then you can download a copy of version 9.44 through the link below. As per usual, this is an APK and will need to be sideloaded to your device.
Download Google Maps v9.44 APK
