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arunrajece

Google Maps MCP Server

by arunrajece
OverviewSchemaRelated ServersScoreDiscussions
JavaScript
Remote

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.

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