Google Maps

Google Maps integration for OpenClaw with Routes API. Use for: (1) Distance/travel time calculations with traffic prediction, (2) Turn-by-turn directions, (3) Distance matrix between multiple points, (4) Geocoding addresses to coordinates and reverse, (5) Places search and details, (6) Transit planning with arrival times. Supports future departure times, traffic models (pessimistic/optimistic), avoid options (tolls/highways), and multiple travel modes (driving/walking/bicycling/transit).

Google Maps integration powered by the Routes API.

Requirements

• GOOGLE_API_KEY environment variable
• Enable in Google Cloud Console: Routes API, Places API, Geocoding API
• Python package: requests (pip install requests)

Configuration

Env Variable	Default	Description
GOOGLE_API_KEY	-	Required. Your Google Maps API key
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY	-	Alternative to GOOGLE_API_KEY (fallback)
GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG	en	Response language (en, he, ja, etc.)

Set in OpenClaw config:

{
  "env": {
    "GOOGLE_API_KEY": "AIza...",
    "GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG": "en"
  }
}

Script Location

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py <action> [options]

---

Actions

distance - Calculate travel time

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "origin" "destination" [options]

Options:

Option	Values	Description
--mode	driving, walking, bicycling, transit	Travel mode (default: driving)
--depart	now, +30m, +1h, 14:00, 2026-02-07 08:00	Departure time
--arrive	14:00	Arrival time (transit only)
--traffic	best_guess, pessimistic, optimistic	Traffic model
--avoid	tolls, highways, ferries	Comma-separated

Examples:

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "New York" "Boston"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Los Angeles" "San Francisco" --depart="+1h"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Chicago" "Detroit" --depart="08:00" --traffic=pessimistic
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "London" "Manchester" --mode=transit --arrive="09:00"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Paris" "Lyon" --avoid=tolls,highways

Response:

{
  "distance": "215.2 mi",
  "distance_meters": 346300,
  "duration": "3 hrs 45 mins",
  "duration_seconds": 13500,
  "static_duration": "3 hrs 30 mins",
  "duration_in_traffic": "3 hrs 45 mins"
}

---

directions - Turn-by-turn route

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "origin" "destination" [options]

Additional options (beyond distance):

Option	Description
--alternatives	Return multiple routes
--waypoints	Intermediate stops (pipe-separated)
--optimize	Optimize waypoint order (TSP)

Examples:

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "New York" "Washington DC"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "San Francisco" "Los Angeles" --alternatives
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py directions "Miami" "Orlando" --waypoints="Fort Lauderdale|West Palm Beach" --optimize

Response includes: summary, labels, duration, static_duration, warnings, steps[], optimized_waypoint_order

---

matrix - Distance matrix

Calculate distances between multiple origins and destinations:

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py matrix "orig1|orig2" "dest1|dest2"

Example:

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py matrix "New York|Boston" "Philadelphia|Washington DC"

Response:

{
  "origins": ["New York", "Boston"],
  "destinations": ["Philadelphia", "Washington DC"],
  "results": [
    {"origin_index": 0, "destination_index": 0, "distance": "97 mi", "duration": "1 hr 45 mins"},
    {"origin_index": 0, "destination_index": 1, "distance": "225 mi", "duration": "4 hrs 10 mins"}
  ]
}

---

geocode - Address to coordinates

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "10 Downing Street, London"

reverse - Coordinates to address

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py reverse 40.7128 -74.0060  # New York City
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py reverse 51.5074 -0.1278  # London

---

search - Find places

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py search "coffee near Times Square"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py search "pharmacy in San Francisco" --open

details - Place information

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py details "<place_id>"

---

Traffic Models

Model	Use Case
best_guess	Default balanced estimate
pessimistic	Important meetings (worst-case)
optimistic	Best-case scenario

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Regional Notes

Some features may not be available in all countries:

Feature	Availability
--fuel-efficient	US, EU, select countries
--shorter	Limited availability
--mode=two_wheeler	Asia, select countries

Check Google Maps coverage for details.

---

Multilingual Support

Works with addresses in any language:

# Hebrew
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "תל אביב" "ירושלים"
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py geocode "דיזנגוף 50, תל אביב"

# Japanese
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "東京" "大阪"

# Arabic
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "دبي" "أبو ظبي"

Language configuration:

1. Set default via env: GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG=he (persists)
2. Override per-request: --lang=ja

# Set Hebrew as default in OpenClaw config
GOOGLE_MAPS_LANG=he

# Override for specific request
python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py distance "Tokyo" "Osaka" --lang=ja

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Help

python3 skills/google-maps/lib/map_helper.py help