Sick of Parking Hassles? Google Maps Just Made It So Much Easier

According to an email sent to Lifewire from SpotHero, the popular parking reservation app is making it even easier for drivers to find parking through an expansion of its integration with Google Maps.

This is a big deal for drivers who are tired of circling the block looking for a spot, especially in busy areas. SpotHero has been around since 2011 and soft launched in Google Maps in April 2024. The company claims it has already helped over 10 million drivers find parking in over 300 cities across North America. 

How it works is simple: search for parking near your destination on Google Maps or Google Search, then reserve a spot using the Book Online button. This leads to SpotHero’s site for payment and confirmation. You can also filter the search, whether it’s EV charging, wheelchair accessibility, or valet services.

Mark Lawrence, SpotHero’s CEO, said the move is all about making parking more accessible for drivers while helping parking operators manage their inventory more effectively. With Google’s vast user base, this partnership opens up easier digital parking solutions to more people.

Google Maps is always adding cool new features, and this integration with SpotHero is one of the most useful yet. They’ve also partnered with Apple Maps and even offer digitized parking for places like Madison Square Garden and SAP Center.

The SpotHero integration works directly in Google Maps, but if you’re not a Google Maps user, you can still take advantage of these features by downloading the SpotHero app for Android or iOS devices.

Updated 10/8/2024: Corrected information about the integration of SpotHero with Google Maps in paragraphs 1 and 2.