Google Maps MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates Google Maps routing and traffic capabilities with Claude AI for advanced route planning, traffic analysis, and cost estimation.

Prerequisites

• Node.js (LTS version 18+ recommended) - Download from nodejs.org
• Google Maps API Key with required services enabled
• Claude Desktop application for MCP integration

Setup Instructions

1. Clone and Install

git clone [your-repo-url]
cd google-maps-mcp-server
npm install

2. Get Google Maps API Key

1. Go to Google Cloud Console
2. Create a new project or select existing one
3. Enable the following APIs:
   • Directions API (required for routing)
   • Distance Matrix API (required for traffic data)
   • Geocoding API (required for address lookup)
   • Places API (optional, for enhanced address search)
4. Create credentials → API Key
5. Restrict the API key to the enabled services above

3. Configure API Key

Edit config/config.json and replace GOOGLE_API_KEY with your actual API key:

{
  "googleMaps": {
    "apiKey": "your-actual-api-key-here"
  }
}

4. Test the Server

# Test configuration
npm test

# Start in development mode
npm run dev

5. Configure Claude Desktop

Add this to your Claude Desktop MCP settings file:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/google-maps-mcp-server/src/index.js"],
      "cwd": "/absolute/path/to/google-maps-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

6. Start Using

Restart Claude Desktop and you can now ask questions like:

• "Find the fastest route from New York to Boston"
• "Compare routes to the airport with and without tolls"
• "What's the traffic like for my commute right now?"

Available Tools

• calculate_route: Get optimal route with traffic consideration and waypoints
• compare_routes: Compare multiple route alternatives with different options
• get_live_traffic: Get real-time traffic information and travel delays
• estimate_costs: Calculate trip costs including fuel and toll estimates

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. "Please set your Google Maps API key" error

• Check that config/config.json has your actual API key, not GOOGLE_API_KEY
• Ensure the JSON format is valid (no trailing commas)

2. "Google Maps API error" messages

• Verify your API key is valid and has the required APIs enabled
• Check API quotas and billing in Google Cloud Console
• Ensure your API key isn't restricted to wrong domains/IPs

3. "No route found" errors

• Check that addresses are valid and exist
• Try using coordinates instead of addresses (lat,lng format)
• Verify the locations are accessible by car

4. Server won't start

# Check Node.js version
node --version  # Should be 18+

# Clear dependencies and reinstall
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install

# Check for configuration errors
npm test

5. Claude Desktop can't find the server

• Use absolute paths in Claude Desktop config
• Restart Claude Desktop after configuration changes
• Check that the MCP config file path is correct for your OS

Debug Mode

Run with debug logging:

DEBUG=* npm start

Testing Individual Tools

# Test route calculation
echo '{"origin":"New York, NY","destination":"Boston, MA"}' | node src/index.js

# Check API connectivity
curl "https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/json?origin=NYC&destination=Boston&key=YOUR_API_KEY"

Configuration Options

Edit config/config.json to customize:

{
  "googleMaps": {
    "apiKey": "your-api-key"
  },
  "server": {
    "port": 3001,
    "host": "localhost"
  },
  "routing": {
    "defaultTrafficModel": "best_guess",
    "maxWaypoints": 25,
    "maxAlternatives": 3,
    "units": "metric"
  },
  "costs": {
    "fuelPricePerLiter": 1.50,
    "vehicleFuelEfficiency": 8.0,
    "tollEstimatePerKm": 0.05
  }
}

License

MIT License - feel free to modify and distribute.