Google Maps MCP Server - install, status & alternatives [2026]

01 · Install Google Maps MCP Server

before you install - you'll need

Set GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY, GOOGLE_MAPS_ENABLED_TOOLS, MCP_SERVER_PORT, MCP_SERVER_HOST before connecting.

Claude Code

claude mcp add cablate-mcp-google-map -- npx -y @cablate/mcp-google-map

Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code - add to config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cablate-mcp-google-map": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cablate/mcp-google-map"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Same JSON for Cursor. For VS Code, rename the top-level key from `mcpServers` to `servers`.

Using another client? Same JSON, different key

Claude Desktop · mcpServers

Cursor · mcpServers

VS Code · servers

Windsurf · mcpServers

Zed · context_servers

Cline · mcpServers

Roo Code · mcpServers

Continue · mcpServers

LibreChat · mcpServers

Gemini CLI · mcpServers

Codex CLI · mcp_servers

Full setup guides: every client.

02 · Evidence

Security posture

What to check before giving this server access to your agent - from the registry, GitHub, and our own probes. We don't score safety; we show what's verifiable.

runs as local process (stdio) - runs on your machine with your user's permissions

license MIT - declared in the repository

npm package @cablate/mcp-google-map - published under the repo owner's npm scope (@cablate)

registry namespace io.github.cablate is GitHub-verified and matches the repo owner

03 · What Google Maps MCP Server can do

Prose above is summarized from the project's README and registry record - no invented capabilities.

What you can build

With this server connected, an agent can find places near a location by type (restaurant, cafe, hotel, etc.). Supports filtering by radius, rating, and open status, get full details for a place by its place_id - reviews, phone, website, hours. Optional maxPhotos param returns photo URLs, convert an address or landmark name into GPS coordinates, and calculate travel distances and times between multiple origins and destinations. Driving mode supports avoid_tolls and avoid_highways.

The 18 tools it gives your agent

Extracted from the project's README - what Google Maps MCP Server lets an agent do.

maps_search_nearby: - Find places near a location by type (restaurant, cafe, hotel, etc.). Supports filtering by radius, rating, and open status.
maps_search_places: - Free-text place search (e.g., "sushi restaurants in Tokyo"). Supports location bias, rating, open-now filters.
maps_place_details: - Get full details for a place by its place_id - reviews, phone, website, hours. Optional maxPhotos param returns photo URLs.
maps_geocode: - Convert an address or landmark name into GPS coordinates.
maps_reverse_geocode: - Convert GPS coordinates into a street address.
maps_distance_matrix: - Calculate travel distances and times between multiple origins and destinations. Driving mode supports avoid_tolls and avoid_highways.
maps_directions: - Get step-by-step navigation between two points with route details. Driving mode supports avoid_tolls and avoid_highways.
maps_elevation: - Get elevation (meters above sea level) for geographic coordinates.
maps_timezone: - Get timezone ID, name, UTC/DST offsets, and local time for coordinates.
maps_weather: - Get current weather conditions or forecast - temperature, humidity, wind, UV, precipitation.
maps_air_quality: - Get air quality index, pollutant concentrations, and health recommendations by demographic group.
maps_static_map: - Generate a map image with markers, paths, or routes - returned inline for the user to see directly.

show all 18 tools

maps_batch_geocode: - Geocode up to 50 addresses in one call - returns coordinates for each.
maps_search_along_route: - Search for places along a route between two points - ranked by minimal detour time.
maps_explore_area: - Explore what's around a location - searches multiple place types and gets details in one call.
maps_plan_route: - Plan an optimized multi-stop route - uses Routes API waypoint optimization (up to 25 stops) for efficient ordering. Driving mode supports avoid_tolls and avoid_
maps_compare_places: - Compare places side-by-side - searches, gets details, and optionally calculates distances.
maps_local_rank_tracker: - Track a business's local search ranking across a geographic grid - like LocalFalcon. Supports up to 3 keywords for batch scanning. Returns rank at each point, t

Latest releases

v0.0.55 · 2026-08-16

restore broken star history chart (#84)

v0.0.54 · 2026-08-13

use valid Places API type for explore_area default (#83)

v0.0.53 · 2026-07-08

include transitDetails in Routes API field mask (#81) · implement avoid_highways and avoid_tolls on route planner (#80)

04 · Who maintains Google Maps MCP Server

Google Maps MCP Server is maintained by cablate. It's the only MCP server we track from this author; the repo dates to Feb 2025.

05 · Facts

repository: github.com/cablate/mcp-google-map
category: maps & location - ranked #2 of 56 actively-maintained maps & location servers as of 2026-08-25.
release cadence: 3 releases in the last 90 days (latest 2026-08-16)
registry: io.github.cablate/google-map (active, first published 2026-03-14 · 25 versions)
packages: npm:@cablate/mcp-google-map

06 · Google Maps MCP Server FAQ

Is Google Maps MCP Server still maintained?

Yes - as of 2026-08-25, its last commit was 2026-08-16 and it shipped 3 releases in the last 90 days. We re-verify nightly.

What can Google Maps MCP Server do?

With this server connected, an agent can find places near a location by type (restaurant, cafe, hotel, etc.). Supports filtering by radius, rating, and open status, get full details for a place by its place_id - reviews, phone, website, hours. Optional maxPhotos param returns photo URLs, convert an address or landmark name into GPS coordinates, and calculate travel distances and times between multiple origins and destinations. Driving mode supports avoid_tolls and avoid_highways.

How do I install Google Maps MCP Server?

Run `npx -y @cablate/mcp-google-map`. The README documents 4 environment variables (GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY, GOOGLE_MAPS_ENABLED_TOOLS, MCP_SERVER_PORT…) to set first. Set GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY, GOOGLE_MAPS_ENABLED_TOOLS, MCP_SERVER_PORT, MCP_SERVER_HOST before connecting. You can also paste the ready-made client config above.

Does Google Maps MCP Server run locally?

Yes - it's a stdio server: it runs on your machine (via npx) with your user's permissions. Your data stays local unless the server itself calls external APIs.

07 · Alternatives to Google Maps MCP Server

Alternatives to Google Maps MCP Server

Maintained maps & location servers if Google Maps MCP Server isn't the fit.

More maps & location MCP servers · France Data MCP · Aviation Weather MCP Server · Noaa Cdo MCP Server · Open Meteo MCP Server

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