How to Install Google Maps MCP in Claude Desktop

Geocoding, place search, directions, and distance matrix via the Google Maps Platform

What Google Maps MCP does

Full Google Maps Platform integration for AI agents. Search for places, get directions, calculate distances, geocode addresses, and access detailed business information — all through natural language. Features: - Forward and reverse geocoding - Place search by name, type, or location - Detailed place information (hours, ratings, contact info) - Turn-by-turn directions with multiple travel modes (driving, walking, transit, cycling) - Distance matrix for multiple origins/destinations - Elevation data lookup - Time zone information Use cases: - "Find the nearest coffee shop to 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino" - "Get directions from NYC to Boston avoiding tolls" - "What's the travel time matrix between these 5 locations?" - Location-aware apps that need spatial reasoning Requirements: - Google Maps Platform API key (Maps JavaScript API + Places API + Directions API) - Free tier includes $200/month credit (≈40,000 map loads)

google-maps

geocoding

directions

places

location

Installation steps

1Copy the config below
2Open claude_desktop_config.json
3Paste inside "mcpServers": {}
4Restart Claude Desktop

Configuration

File location: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

claude_desktop_config.jsonjson

{
  "googleMapsMcp": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
      "-y",
      "@modelcontextprotocol/server-google-maps"
    ],
    "env": {
      "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "AIza..."
    }
  }
}

Full server details GitHub Open Config Editor

Install in other clients

💻Claude Code ⌨️Cursor 🏄Windsurf ✨OpenAI ♊Gemini

For maintainers

If you maintain Google Maps MCP, add this badge to your README to show it's verified on CuratedMCP:

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