How to See Fall Foliage on Google Maps Routes

Google Maps now shows orange, red, and yellow trees along your driving route in applicable US metro areas. The seasonal change runs through November 30, 2026, and appears mainly while navigation is active on phones and Android Auto.

This is a visual update to Immersive Navigation. It does not change routing, traffic data, or voice guidance. Boston is one confirmed location from Google’s example. Exact cities are not listed publicly.

What the update looks like

Trees that normally appear green now render in fall colors along the sides of the road in the 3D map view. The blue route line stays the same. You see the effect during active navigation, not when browsing the map in explore mode.

Google confirmed the feature in posts on X. Miriam Daniel, VP of Google Maps, noted that many US cities will see autumn foliage in Immersive Navigation for the next month. The change also appears on Android Auto dashboards in supported areas.

How to see fall foliage on your route

1. Open the Google Maps app on your phone and make sure you are signed in and have location access enabled.
2. Enter a destination in an applicable US metro area and start navigation.
3. Look along the route in the 3D or Immersive view for colored trees. Switch to the satellite or 3D layer if the default view does not show them.
4. On Android Auto, connect your phone and start a route. The dashboard map should show the same fall-colored trees where Immersive Navigation is active.
5. If you do not see the colors, confirm you are in navigation (not just looking at the map) and that your app is updated. The feature is limited to specific metros and may not appear everywhere.

No special setting turns the foliage on or off. It is applied automatically in supported locations until November 30.

Tips for the best view

Use a route that passes through tree-lined streets or parks rather than pure highways if you want more visible trees. Start navigation a few minutes early so the map has time to load the 3D elements. On Android Auto, keep the phone connected and the Maps app in the foreground for the dashboard view.

The update works alongside existing Gemini and Personal Intelligence features in the car. If you already use those, the foliage is an extra visual layer and does not require extra setup. Check our guide to Gemini Personal Intelligence on Android Auto for related car features.

Limitations and availability

The feature is available only in applicable US metropolitan areas through November 30, 2026. Google has not published the full list of cities. Reports confirm it in Boston and on some Android Auto units. It does not appear outside navigation mode or in unsupported regions.

Immersive Navigation itself must be available on your device and region for the trees to render in 3D. Older map views stay green. The update is temporary and will revert after the end date.

Conclusion

If you drive in a supported US metro this fall, start a navigation session in Google Maps to see the seasonal trees. The change is visual only and ends November 30. Update the app, enable navigation, and look for the colored trees along your route on phone or Android Auto.

Sources

• Google Maps posts on X confirming autumn foliage in Immersive Navigation until November 30
• 9to5Google coverage of the fall colors update and Boston example
• Android Authority reporting on Android Auto fall colors
• Internal link: Gemini Personal Intelligence on Android Auto