# Google Maps MCP > Google Maps MCP gives your agent full control over location intelligence and routing. You can convert physical addresses into precise coordinates, search for businesses like restaurants or hospitals in any area, grab deep details on specific venues (like hours and phone numbers), and calculate accurate travel routes with estimated times of arrival. It's all built to let you talk about geography and logistics naturally. ## Overview - **Category:** industry-titans - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** mapping, location-services, distance-matrix, spatial-analysis, navigation-data ## Description This MCP lets your agent do anything location-related without opening a browser. Forget manually copying addresses or jumping between tabs just to check if a business is open or how long a drive takes. You give your AI client an address, and it instantly spits out the exact coordinates. Need to find the best Italian place near the office? It searches millions of spots, pulls up detailed info like reviews and phone numbers for the top candidates, and even calculates exactly how long you'll take to get there by car or bike. When building complex workflows, connecting this MCP via Vinkius gives your agent immediate access to one of the industry’s most reliable data sources, making location analysis a part of natural conversation. ## Tools ### geocode Converts any specific street address or location name into precise latitude and longitude coordinates. ### place_search Searches for types of businesses, like restaurants or hospitals, within a defined geographic area. ### place_details Retrieves specific information about a known location, such as its phone number, website, and opening hours. ### directions Calculates the best route between an origin and destination, providing distance, estimated time, and various travel mode options. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Geocode this address: '1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA' ``` **Response:** ``` Address geocoded! The coordinates for 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy are Lat: 37.4223, Lng: -122.0841. These are the precise coordinates for the Googleplex headquarters. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Find pizza restaurants in Brooklyn and show me details for the best one ``` **Response:** ``` Searching for pizza in Brooklyn... I found 10 results. The top-rated is 'L'Industrie Pizzeria' (Rating: 4.8, 2k+ reviews, PlaceID: abc-123). Retrieving details... They are open until 10 PM tonight and offer outdoor seating. Would you like their phone number? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get directions from San Francisco to San Jose by train ``` **Response:** ``` Calculating directions... By transit, the trip from San Francisco to San Jose takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes via Caltrain. Total distance is 48 miles. I can provide the specific line information and departure times for you. ``` ## Capabilities ### Convert addresses to coordinates It translates any human-readable address or place name into precise latitude and longitude numbers. ### Search for businesses by location The tool searches massive databases to find specific types of spots, like 'gyms near me' or 'coffee shops in Brooklyn', returning critical IDs needed for deeper research. ### Retrieve deep venue metadata Using a spot’s unique ID, you can pull detailed data—including opening hours, phone numbers, and user reviews—without running another search. ### Calculate optimal travel routes It determines the best route between two points, giving you the total distance, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and options for driving, walking, or transit. ## Use Cases ### Checking service coverage for a new client site A real estate agent needs to know if there are adequate resources nearby. They ask their agent, 'Are there hospitals and highly-rated coffee shops within a quarter mile of 123 Main St?' The agent uses 'place_search' multiple times to confirm the local amenity density before recommending the site. ### Planning an intercity team training trip The HR manager needs directions for a multi-day event. They ask, 'What’s the fastest way from the hotel (Point A) to the conference center (Point B) by car?' The agent uses 'directions' and specifies 'driving mode,' giving an accurate ETA. ### Validating a client's business location data A support team member receives an old customer file with just an address. They use the 'geocode' tool first to get coordinates, then run 'place_details' using those coords to verify if the phone number or operating hours are still current. ### Finding the nearest specialized supplier An industrial buyer needs a specific type of equipment. They ask, 'Show me all plumbing supply stores near the facility and give me their best contact numbers.' The agent uses 'place_search' followed by retrieving details using 'place_details'. ## Benefits - Stop guessing on travel times. The 'directions' tool calculates the optimal route, distance, and ETA for driving, walking, or transit, giving you immediate logistical answers. - No more manual address lookups. Use the 'geocode' tool to instantly convert any physical street address into precise coordinates (Lat/Lng) that your agent can use in further calculations. - Deep dive on venues: Instead of just finding a spot, the 'place_details' tool pulls rich metadata—phone numbers, reviews, and hours—to solve customer questions immediately. - Advanced searching is easy. The 'place_search' tool lets you ask for specific types of businesses (e.g., 'dentists in downtown') without knowing their exact coordinates first. - Flexibility matters. You can check travel logistics across multiple modes using the same tools, whether it’s calculating a bike path or figuring out train connections. ## How It Works The bottom line is, you get real-time, actionable geographical intelligence right where you're talking to your AI client. 1. First, subscribe to this MCP and input your Google Maps API Key into Vinkius. 2. Next, tell your AI client what you need—for instance, 'What's the route from Point A to Point B by train?' 3. Your agent uses the tools to pull location data, calculate the path, and present the full results directly in your chat window. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How does Google Maps MCP help with calculating routes?** The 'directions' tool calculates the optimal route between two points. It considers transit mode (walking, driving, biking) and gives you the total distance and estimated travel time for your specific journey. **What if I just have a street name and no numbers?** You can use the 'geocode' tool. While it works best with full addresses, providing enough context (street name + city) usually allows it to pinpoint the general coordinates you need. **Can I find a specific type of restaurant using Google Maps MCP?** Yes. You use the 'place_search' tool and simply describe what you are looking for, like 'Mexican restaurants' or 'Italian pizzerias,' and it finds matching venues. **Does place_details require a specific ID?** Yes. To get deep details like phone numbers or opening hours, the 'place_details' tool needs the unique PlaceID of that location to ensure it pulls accurate data. **Is Google Maps MCP limited to major cities only?** The underlying platform supports millions of physical entities. You can search for and retrieve details about businesses in various metro areas, provided they are within the indexed Google Maps database.