We learned this habit the hard way. On an early trip we showed up at what Google Maps insisted was a ferry crossing, only to find a gravel lot, a locked gate, and a very confused local who pointed us forty minutes further down the coast to the dock that actually operated. Ten minutes of Street View the night before would have shown us exactly that.
How we actually use it before a trip
Once a route is roughly planned, we open Google Maps, drop into Street View at each point we're unsure about, and drag ourselves virtually along the trickiest sections — usually anywhere the map shows a lot of switchbacks, an unclear junction, or a location description that sounds vague ("trailhead near the bridge"). It takes minutes and has saved us hours more than once, including on the drive through Norway's fjord country, where previewing the Trollstigen hairpins in advance meant we knew roughly what we were driving into before the nerves kicked in for real.
Parking spots that don't exist yet — or anymore
Street View is particularly good at catching the gap between what a map marker promises and what's actually on the ground. Before driving New Zealand's South Island, we scouted a couple of scenic pull-offs this way and found that one marked viewpoint was, in the current imagery at least, a construction zone — worth knowing before arriving with a full campervan and nowhere to turn around.
Hairpins, cliffs, and knowing what you're actually driving into
For genuinely narrow or exposed roads, a quick Street View pass changes the whole mental preparation for the drive. Scouting the coastal switchbacks before driving the Amalfi Coast meant we already had a sense of how tight the passing points were and where the road hugged the cliff edge most aggressively — useful information before white-knuckling it in an unfamiliar rental car with oncoming tour buses.
Where Street View can mislead you
Imagery isn't always current, especially outside major cities — a road can be resurfaced, a building can change, a "closed for construction" sign might've come down years ago or gone up since the last capture. We treat what we see as a general layout guide, not a live snapshot, and still confirm anything genuinely time-sensitive (seasonal closures, current ferry schedules) through a proper search or a phone call rather than trusting an old photo. Google's own Street View project page is worth a look if you want to understand how and when different regions get re-mapped.
A simple pre-trip routine
A few days before any drive with unfamiliar terrain, we now do a short scouting pass: check the trickiest junctions, confirm parking near key stops, and glance at anywhere the route description sounds uncertain. It's a small habit that costs almost nothing and has quietly prevented several of our worst possible travel days from happening at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Street View cover rural or remote roads?
Coverage varies a lot by country — major routes and towns are usually well mapped, but small rural roads and mountain passes can have gaps or outdated imagery.
How old is Street View imagery, and does that matter?
Imagery can be several years old in less-visited areas, so treat it as a general layout guide rather than a guarantee of current conditions like construction or seasonal closures.
Is pre-scouting worth the time for a short trip?
For a quick city visit it's optional, but for any multi-day drive, a ferry connection, or a trailhead in an unfamiliar area, ten minutes of scouting can save hours of confusion on the day.
