If you rely on a prepaid plan or have a limited data allowance, you might worry that Google Maps will drain your balance fast. But here’s the good news: Google Maps is surprisingly light on data compared to apps like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. Let’s unpack exactly how much it uses and how you can stretch it even further.


The Short Answer: Not Much!

On average, Google Maps uses about 5MB of mobile data per hour of driving navigation.

To put that into perspective:

  • Watching YouTube in HD: ~300MB per hour

  • Scrolling TikTok: ~700MB per hour

  • Using Google Maps: ~5MB per hour

That means Google Maps uses less than 2% of the data you’d burn through on social media or video streaming.


Also Read: 7 Ways to Save Money on Your Mobile Data Bill

Where That Data Goes

Google Maps doesn’t constantly download your route—it loads most of the map at the start, then only updates things like:

  • Traffic conditions

  • Road closures or reroutes

  • Location searches along the way

The only time data jumps is when you switch to Satellite View or Street View, which can easily spike to 50–200MB per hour.

How to Make Google Maps Even More Data-Efficient

Even though Google Maps already uses relatively little data, there are simple ways to cut usage down even further. This is especially helpful if you’re on a prepaid plan, traveling with limited roaming data, or just want to make your gigabytes last longer. By tweaking a few settings and planning ahead, you can navigate smoothly while keeping your data consumption close to zero.

Download Maps Ahead of Time
Save offline maps before your trip so navigation works without using any mobile data. Perfect for prepaid users or traveling abroad.

Stick to Standard Map View
Satellite imagery looks cool but eats data. Keep it simple unless you really need it.

Plan on WiFi, Drive on Mobile Data
Search for routes, check traffic, and add stops while connected to WiFi. Once you hit the road, Maps will only need small updates.

Turn Off Background Refresh
On both Android and iOS, you can restrict background data so Google Maps only uses data when you’re actively navigating.

Real-Life Example

Imagine you drive 2 hours a day, every day using Google Maps:

  • 2 hours × 5MB = 10MB daily

  • Over 30 days = 300MB total

That’s less than one-third of a single gigabyte! Even a 1GB prepaid plan can comfortably handle a full month of navigation.


Even with these data-saving tricks, you’ll still want a reliable plan that won’t run out on you mid-trip. That’s where our 47 plan comes in—giving you affordable data that’s perfect for Google Maps, messaging apps, and staying online while on the go. With just one load, you can navigate worry-free for days!

Switch to the 47 plan today and never stress about running out of data while traveling.


Bottom Line


Google Maps is one of the most data-friendly apps on your phone. Unless you’re constantly using Satellite or Street View, its impact on your data plan is minimal. By taking advantage of offline maps, you can navigate with little to no data usage at all.