Google Maps MCP Server
Google Maps MCP servers enable AI models to interact with Google Maps APIs, providing capabilities for location search, geocoding, directions, and elevation data.
Overview
The Google Maps MCP Server provides comprehensive integration with modern Google Maps APIs (Places API, Routes API, Geocoding API, Elevation API). It enables AI models to interact with Google Maps for location services, directions, place details, distance calculations, and elevation data.
Developed by:
Developed by Vic Peacock
Key Features
Geocoding Services
Convert addresses to geographic coordinates and vice-versa
Place Search & Details
Search for places by text query and retrieve detailed information
Distance & Directions
Calculate travel distances, durations, and get turn-by-turn directions
Elevation Data
Retrieve elevation data for specific geographic locations
Available Tools
Quick Reference
| Tool | Purpose | Category |
|---|---|---|
maps_ping | Health Check | Utility |
maps_geocode | Convert address to geographic coordinates | Geocoding |
maps_reverse_geocode | Convert coordinates to a human-readable address | Geocoding |
maps_search_places | Search places via text query | Places |
maps_place_details | Get detailed information about a place | Places |
maps_distance_matrix | Calculate distances and times between locations | Routing |
maps_elevation | Retrieve elevation data | Elevation |
maps_directions | Get turn-by-turn directions | Routing |
Detailed Usage
maps_ping▶
Verifies if the MCP server is active.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_ping",
arguments: {}
});
Returns "Google Maps MCP server is alive ✅" on success.
maps_geocode▶
Converts an address into geographic coordinates.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_geocode",
arguments: {
address: "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"
}
});
Returns location, formatted_address, place_id, address_components.
maps_reverse_geocode▶
Converts geographic coordinates into a human-readable address.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_reverse_geocode",
arguments: {
latitude: 37.4221,
longitude: -122.0841
}
});
Returns formatted_address, place_id, address_components.
maps_search_places▶
Searches for places via text query using Places API (New).
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_search_places",
arguments: {
query: "restaurants in Mountain View"
}
});
Returns an array of places with displayName, formattedAddress, location, types.
maps_place_details▶
Gets detailed information about a place.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_place_details",
arguments: {
place_id: "ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4"
}
});
Returns name, address, contact info, ratings, reviews, opening hours, photos.
maps_distance_matrix▶
Calculates distances and travel times between multiple origins and destinations.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_distance_matrix",
arguments: {
origins: ["New York, NY"],
destinations: ["Boston, MA"],
mode: "driving"
}
});
Returns a matrix of distances and durations.
maps_elevation▶
Retrieves elevation data for specific geographic locations.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_elevation",
arguments: {
locations: [{ latitude: 37.4221, longitude: -122.0841 }]
}
});
Returns elevation and resolution for each point.
maps_directions▶
Gets detailed turn-by-turn navigation directions between two locations.
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_directions",
arguments: {
origin: "New York, NY",
destination: "Boston, MA",
travelMode: "DRIVE"
}
});
Returns route steps, distance, duration, polyline.
Installation
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-maps": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["dist/index.js"],
"cwd": "/path/to/google-maps-mcp",
"env": {
"GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your_api_key"
}
}
}
}
API Key:
Replace your_api_key with your actual Google Maps API key. Ensure the necessary APIs (Places API (New), Routes API (New), Geocoding API, Elevation API) are enabled in your Google Cloud project.
Common Use Cases
1. Location-based Services
Integrate location search and details into AI applications:
// Search for nearby cafes
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_search_places",
arguments: {
query: "cafes near me"
}
});
2. Navigation & Logistics
Provide AI models with routing and distance calculation capabilities:
// Get directions between two points
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_directions",
arguments: {
origin: "Eiffel Tower, Paris",
destination: "Louvre Museum, Paris",
travelMode: "WALK"
}
});
3. Geographic Data Analysis
Utilize elevation data for environmental or topographical analysis:
// Get elevation of a specific point
use_mcp_tool({
server_name: "google-maps",
tool_name: "maps_elevation",
arguments: {
locations: [{ latitude: 48.8584, longitude: 2.2945 }] // Eiffel Tower
}
});
Connection String Format
The Google Maps MCP server primarily uses environment variables for API key configuration. There isn't a direct "connection string" in the same way as Redis or PostgreSQL. The API key is passed via the GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY environment variable.
Sources
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