How to Use Waze to Avoid Traffic Jams

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: February 6, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to avoid getting stuck in traffic by determining a route with Waze. Waze picks the fastest route available by default, though the fastest route may include a traffic jam where a slightly longer route does not.

Steps

1
Open Waze. This app is light-blue with a white ghost icon.
2
Tap the magnifying glass icon. It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

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3
Tap the "Search" bar. This grey bar is near the top of the screen.
4
Type in a destination. You can add an address or a simple location here. As you type, you'll see suggestions appear below the "Search" bar.
5
Tap a suggestion. Doing so will bring up the suggestion's page.
6
Tap GO. It's the blue button at the bottom of the screen.
7
Tap Routes. This button is in the bottom-left side of the page.
8
Review all available routes. If a route has a red circle with cars in it, that route has a traffic jam.
- While Waze will take you to the fastest route by default, there may be routes without traffic available.
- Similarly, try to avoid routes with yellow caution signs, since these routes have potential accidents or other hazards on them.
9
Tap a traffic-free route. Doing so will assign it as your primary route; any directions you receive from this point on will serve to progress you along this route.
- Sometimes, a traffic-free route won't be available.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I only use my current location to start a route?

Community Answer

No, you can use your current location, or manually set your start point and end point.
Question

How do I turn Waze off?

Community Answer

If you have a iPhone, double click the Home button. Put your finger on the rectangle that says Waze and swipe up. On Android, hold down the Home button. Click the X on the Waze window to close.
Question

Why do they want access to my contacts?

Community Answer

They want to access your contacts so they can show you who else uses Waze in your circles.