Integrates with Google services to provide advanced mapping, visual navigation, and environmental monitoring capabilities through various location-based APIs.
Leverages the Google Cloud Platform to access and manage a suite of specialized APIs for geocoding, place identification, navigation, and environmental data collection.
Provides a comprehensive set of 14 mapping and location tools, including geocoding, place search, directions, Street View, static maps, and environmental data like weather and air quality.
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@Google Maps MCP Server EnhancedFind campgrounds near Yosemite and show me the 5-day weather forecast."
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
Google Maps MCP Server Enhanced
A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides 14 powerful Google Maps tools for location services, visual mapping, weather data, and environmental information. Perfect for camping trip planning, outdoor research, location analysis, and any application requiring rich geographic data.
🌟 Features
🗺️ Core Mapping (6 tools)
Geocoding: Convert addresses to coordinates
Reverse Geocoding: Convert coordinates to addresses
Places Search: Find businesses, landmarks, and points of interest
Place Details: Get comprehensive information about specific places
Distance Matrix: Calculate travel times and distances between multiple points
Directions: Get detailed turn-by-turn directions with multiple travel modes
📸 Visual Mapping (2 tools)
Street View: Get panoramic street-level imagery with customizable viewing angles
Static Maps: Generate static map images in multiple styles (roadmap, satellite, terrain, hybrid) with markers
🌤️ Environmental Data (6 tools)
Weather: Current conditions and forecasts for trip planning
Air Quality: Air quality indices and pollutant data for outdoor activities
Solar: Solar irradiance data for solar power planning at campsites
Pollen: Pollen and allergy information for outdoor activities
Elevation: Elevation data for terrain analysis
Enhanced Routing: Advanced route planning with traffic awareness
🎯 Perfect For
🏕️ Camping & Outdoor Planning: Weather, terrain, and site analysis
🔍 Research Projects: Location data gathering and environmental monitoring
🚗 Travel Applications: Route planning with real-time conditions
📊 Data Analysis: Geographic data collection and visualization
🏢 Business Applications: Location intelligence and market analysis
📋 Prerequisites
Node.js (v18+)
Google Cloud Platform Account with billing enabled
Google Maps API Key with required APIs enabled
⚙️ Setup
1. Clone and Install
2. Google Cloud Setup
Enable these APIs in Google Cloud Console:
Required APIs:
Maps JavaScript API
Geocoding API
Places API
Directions API
Distance Matrix API
Elevation API
Maps Static API (for static map images)
Street View Static API (for street view images)
Environmental APIs (Optional but Recommended):
Air Quality API
Solar API
Pollen API
Weather API
3. Get API Key
In Google Cloud Console → APIs & Services → Credentials
Create API Key
Restrict the key to the APIs listed above (recommended for security)
4. Build the Server
🔧 Claude Desktop Integration
Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:
🛠️ Tool Reference
📍 Location Services
Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
| Address → Coordinates | "Convert 'Yellowstone National Park' to lat/lng" |
| Coordinates → Address | "What's at coordinates 44.4280, -110.5885?" |
| Find nearby places | "Find campgrounds near Yellowstone" |
| Detailed place info | "Get hours, reviews, contact info for a campground" |
🚗 Navigation & Distance
Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
| Turn-by-turn directions | "Driving directions from Chicago to Yellowstone" |
| Multi-point distances | "Travel times between 5 potential campsites" |
| Enhanced routing | "Optimal route avoiding traffic and tolls" |
| Terrain elevation | "Elevation profile for hiking trail" |
📸 Visual Mapping
Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
| Street-level imagery | "See what the campground entrance looks like" |
| Static map images | "Satellite view of research area with markers" |
🌤️ Environmental Data
Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
| Weather forecasts | "5-day forecast for camping trip" |
| Air pollution data | "Air quality for outdoor activities" |
| Solar irradiance | "Solar panel potential at campsite" |
| Allergy information | "Pollen levels for sensitive individuals" |
💡 Usage Examples
Trip Planning Workflow
Research Documentation
🎨 Visual Capabilities
Street View Options
Viewing Angles: Control heading (0-360°), pitch (-90° to 90°), field of view (10-120°)
Image Sizes: Up to 640x640 pixels
Location Input: Addresses or exact coordinates
Static Map Styles
Roadmap: Standard road map view
Satellite: Aerial imagery
Terrain: Physical features and elevation
Hybrid: Satellite imagery with road labels
Custom Markers
Colors: red, blue, green, purple, yellow, gray, orange, white
Labels: A-Z, 0-9 for identification
Multiple Points: Mark routes, waypoints, points of interest
🔒 Security Best Practices
API Key Security
✅ Use environment variables (never commit keys to code)
✅ Restrict API key to only required APIs
✅ Set up API key restrictions (HTTP referrers, IP addresses)
✅ Monitor API usage in Google Cloud Console
✅ Rotate keys regularly
Usage Monitoring
Set up billing alerts for unexpected usage
Monitor API quotas and rate limits
Use Cloud Monitoring for performance tracking
💰 Cost Management
Free Tier Usage
Most APIs include generous free monthly quotas
Visual APIs (Street View, Static Maps) have free usage limits
Environmental APIs may have different pricing
Cost Optimization Tips
Cache results when appropriate (especially for static location data)
Use batch requests (Distance Matrix) for multiple calculations
Choose appropriate detail levels for Places API requests
🐛 Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Error | Cause | Solution |
| API not enabled | Enable required APIs in Google Cloud Console |
| Missing parameters | Check required parameters for each tool |
| Quota exceeded | Check billing and quota limits |
| No data available | Try broader search criteria or different location |
Debug Mode
📊 API Quotas Reference
API | Free Tier Limit | Rate Limit |
Geocoding | 40,000/month | 50 QPS |
Places Search | 2,500/month | 10 QPS |
Directions | 2,500/month | 50 QPS |
Street View Static | 28,000/month | 100 QPS |
Static Maps | 28,000/month | 100 QPS |
Check Google's current pricing for up-to-date information
🚀 Running the Server
🏗️ Architecture
TypeScript: Full type safety and modern JS features
Modular Design: Organized by functionality (handlers, tools, types)
Error Handling: Comprehensive validation and error responses
Extensible: Easy to add new Google Maps APIs
Production Ready: Built with reliability and performance in mind
🤝 Contributing
Fork the repository
Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature)Open a Pull Request
📄 License
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
🎯 Use Cases
🏕️ Camping Trip Planning: Weather, terrain, campground research
🔬 Field Research: Environmental data collection and site analysis
🚚 Logistics: Route optimization and travel planning
🏡 Real Estate: Location analysis and neighborhood research
📱 Mobile Apps: Location-based services and mapping features
🎨 Creative Projects: Map visualization and geographic art
Transform your location-based projects with comprehensive Google Maps integration! 🗺️✨