google-maps-directions-api

Get Google Maps directions between two places with distance, duration, and route options. Apify-backed n8n community node, pay-per-result, and usable as an AI agent tool.

Package Information

Released: 4 mo ago
Downloads: 9 weekly / 298 monthly
Latest Version: 0.1.1
Author: John Cole

Available Nodes

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Google Maps Directions icon
Google Maps Directions
Get Google Maps directions between two places with distance, duration, and route options

Documentation

n8n-nodes-google-maps-directions-api

An n8n community node that gets Google Maps directions between two places and returns distance, duration, and route options. It is backed by the Google Maps Directions API on Apify and bills per result, so there are no subscriptions and no minimums.

Installation · Credentials · Operations · Output · Example workflows · Pricing · Resources

What it does

Give the node a start and end address, and it returns the best distance and duration plus a list of route options. It also works as an AI Agent tool, so an agent can plan routes on demand.

  • Get directions for driving, transit, walking, or bicycling
  • Avoid tolls or highways
  • Localize with a country code and language code
  • Choose how much data to return: Simplified, Raw, or Selected Fields

Installation

Follow the n8n community nodes installation guide:

  1. In n8n, open Settings > Community Nodes.
  2. Select Install.
  3. Enter n8n-nodes-google-maps-directions-api as the npm package name.
  4. Agree to the risks of using community nodes, then select Install.

After it installs, the Google Maps Directions node appears in the nodes panel.

n8n Cloud only allows verified community nodes. Until this node is verified, install it on a self-hosted n8n instance.

Credentials

You need a free Apify account and an API token.

  1. Sign in to the Apify Console.
  2. Open Settings > Integrations and copy your Personal API token.
  3. In n8n, create a new Apify API credential and paste the token.
  4. Use the credential's Test button to confirm it works.

The node also supports Apify OAuth2 if you prefer to connect that way.

Operations

Route > Get returns directions between two places.

Parameter Description
Start Address The starting address or place. Required.
End Address The destination address or place. Required.
Travel Mode Best, Driving, Transit, Walking, or Bicycling.
Avoid Tolls / Avoid Highways Route preferences.
Country Code / Language Code Localization, for example us and en.
Output How much data to return: Simplified, Raw, or Selected Fields.

Output

One item is returned per directions query. The Output parameter lets you choose how much to return:

  • Simplified (default): a compact object with start, end, travelMode, bestDistance, bestDuration, directionsCount, mapsUrl, and routes (each with via, distance, duration, travelMode). This mode is also used automatically when the node runs as an AI Agent tool, to keep responses small.
  • Raw: every field the API returns, using the original field names below.
  • Selected Fields: pick exactly which fields to include.

Fields (Raw and Selected Fields)

Field Type Description
result_type string Result type, for example directions
start object Resolved start place
end object Resolved end place
travel_mode string Travel mode used
directions_found boolean Whether routes were found
directions_count integer Number of route options
best_duration object Best route duration
best_distance object Best route distance
places_info object Details about the start and end places
directions array All route options with via, distance, duration, and trips
durations array Durations across the day, when available
google_maps_directions_url string Link to the route on Google Maps

Example workflows

1. Compute ETAs for a list of trips

  1. Read a list of start/end pairs.
  2. Google Maps Directions: get directions for each, Output Simplified.
  3. Google Sheets: append bestDistance and bestDuration.

2. Toll-free route planning

  1. Manual Trigger.
  2. Google Maps Directions: set Avoid Tolls, Travel Mode Driving.
  3. Set: keep routes and mapsUrl.

3. Let an AI Agent plan a route

  1. AI Agent node.
  2. Attach Google Maps Directions as a tool.
  3. Ask "How long to drive from Austin to Dallas avoiding tolls?" The agent calls the node (in Simplified mode) and answers with the route.

Pricing

This node calls the Google Maps Directions API on Apify, which is billed pay-per-result, with no subscription and no minimums. Apify also includes a free monthly usage tier that covers typical volumes. See the Actor page for current rates.

Resources

License

MIT

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