Google Maps

---
name: google-maps
description: >
  Google Maps integration for OpenClaw with Routes API. Use for: (1) Distance/travel time calculations 
  with traffic prediction, (2) Turn-by-turn directions, (3) Distance matrix between multiple points, 
  (4) Geocoding addresses to coordinates and reverse, (5) Places search and details, (6) Transit 
  planning with arrival times. Supports future departure times, traffic models (pessimistic/optimistic), 
  avoid options (tolls/highways), and multiple travel modes (driving/walking/bicycling/transit).
version: 3.2.0
author: Leo 🦁
tags: [maps, places, location, navigation, google, traffic, directions, geocoding, routes-api]
metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🗺️","requires":{"env":["GOOGLE_API_KEY"],"python":["requests"]},"primaryEnv":"GOOGLE_API_KEY","secondaryEnv":["GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY"],"optionalEnv":["GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG"],"notes":"Requires the 'requests' Python package (pip install requests). No other external dependencies."}}
allowed-tools: [exec]
---

# Google Maps 🗺️

Google Maps integration powered by the Routes API.

## Requirements

- `GOOGLE_API_KEY` environment variable
- Enable in Google Cloud Console: Routes API, Places API, Geocoding API
- Python package: `requests` (`pip install requests`)

## Configuration

| Env Variable | Default | Description |
|--------------|---------|-------------|
| `GOOGLE_API_KEY` | - | Required. Your Google Maps API key |
| `GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY` | - | Alternative to `GOOGLE_API_KEY` (fallback) |
| `GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG` | `en` | Response language (en, he, ja, etc.) |

Set in OpenClaw config:
```json
{
  "env": {
    "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "AIza...",
    "GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG": "en"
  }
}
```

## Script Location

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py <action> [options]
```

---

## Actions

### distance - Calculate travel time

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "origin" "destination" [options]
```

**Options:**
| Option | Values | Description |
|--------|--------|-------------|
| `--mode` | driving, walking, bicycling, transit | Travel mode (default: driving) |
| `--depart` | now, +30m, +1h, 14:00, 2026-02-07 08:00 | Departure time |
| `--arrive` | 14:00 | Arrival time (transit only) |
| `--traffic` | best_guess, pessimistic, optimistic | Traffic model |
| `--avoid` | tolls, highways, ferries | Comma-separated |

**Examples:**
```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "New York" "Boston"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Los Angeles" "San Francisco" --depart="+1h"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Chicago" "Detroit" --depart="08:00" --traffic=pessimistic
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "London" "Manchester" --mode=transit --arrive="09:00"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Paris" "Lyon" --avoid=tolls,highways
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "distance": "215.2 mi",
  "distance_meters": 346300,
  "duration": "3 hrs 45 mins",
  "duration_seconds": 13500,
  "static_duration": "3 hrs 30 mins",
  "duration_in_traffic": "3 hrs 45 mins"
}
```

---

### directions - Turn-by-turn route

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "origin" "destination" [options]
```

**Additional options (beyond distance):**
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `--alternatives` | Return multiple routes |
| `--waypoints` | Intermediate stops (pipe-separated) |
| `--optimize` | Optimize waypoint order (TSP) |

**Examples:**
```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "New York" "Washington DC"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "San Francisco" "Los Angeles" --alternatives
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "Miami" "Orlando" --waypoints="Fort Lauderdale|West Palm Beach" --optimize
```

**Response includes:** summary, labels, duration, static_duration, warnings, steps[], optimized_waypoint_order

---

### matrix - Distance matrix

Calculate distances between multiple origins and destinations:

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py matrix "orig1|orig2" "dest1|dest2"
```

**Example:**
```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py matrix "New York|Boston" "Philadelphia|Washington DC"
```

**Response:**
```json
{
  "origins": ["New York", "Boston"],
  "destinations": ["Philadelphia", "Washington DC"],
  "results": [
    {"origin_index": 0, "destination_index": 0, "distance": "97 mi", "duration": "1 hr 45 mins"},
    {"origin_index": 0, "destination_index": 1, "distance": "225 mi", "duration": "4 hrs 10 mins"}
  ]
}
```

---

### geocode - Address to coordinates

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "10 Downing Street, London"
```

### reverse - Coordinates to address

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py reverse 40.7128 -74.0060  # New York City
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py reverse 51.5074 -0.1278  # London
```

---

### search - Find places

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py search "coffee near Times Square"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py search "pharmacy in San Francisco" --open
```

### details - Place information

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py details "<place_id>"
```

---

## Traffic Models

| Model | Use Case |
|-------|----------|
| `best_guess` | Default balanced estimate |
| `pessimistic` | Important meetings (worst-case) |
| `optimistic` | Best-case scenario |

---

## Regional Notes

Some features may not be available in all countries:

| Feature | Availability |
|---------|--------------|
| `--fuel-efficient` | US, EU, select countries |
| `--shorter` | Limited availability |
| `--mode=two_wheeler` | Asia, select countries |

Check [Google Maps coverage](https://developers.google.com/maps/coverage) for details.

---

## Multilingual Support

Works with addresses in any language:

```bash
# Hebrew
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "תל אביב" "ירושלים"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "דיזנגוף 50, תל אביב"

# Japanese
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "東京" "大阪"

# Arabic
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "دبي" "أبو ظبي"
```

**Language configuration:**

1. Set default via env: `GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG=he` (persists)
2. Override per-request: `--lang=ja`

```bash
# Set Hebrew as default in OpenClaw config
GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG=he

# Override for specific request
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Tokyo" "Osaka" --lang=ja
```

---

## Help

```bash
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py help
```