Google Maps MCP
Google Maps MCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot and five more AI agents. Connect Google Maps to Claude, Copilot, Cursor, Codex, Gemini, Windsurf, Continue.dev and Cline. One extension, 8 agents, no config files to edit.
Install. Paste your API key. Ask your AI agent about Google Maps.
Quick Start
- Install from the VS Code Marketplace or Open VSX
- Add your API key: the setup wizard appears on first launch
- Ask your AI agent anything about Google Maps
"What are the coordinates of 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway?"
"Find coffee shops near Lake Eola, Orlando"
"How long is the drive from Orlando to Miami right now?"
Prerequisites
Google Maps Platform uses an API key, not a Google sign-in.
- Go to Google Cloud Console and create a project (or select one) with billing enabled
- Under APIs & Services > Library, enable the Geocoding API, Places API, Directions API, Distance Matrix API, Elevation API and Time Zone API (only the ones you want to use)
- Under APIs & Services > Credentials, click Create Credentials > API key
- Restrict the key to those APIs (API restrictions)
- In the extension wizard, paste the key
Google Maps Platform bills per request after its monthly free usage. Set a budget alert on the project so an AI agent's requests never surprise you.
| Tool |
What It Does |
Example Prompt |
maps_geocode |
Address to coordinates and place ID |
"Where exactly is 1 Main St, Orlando?" |
maps_reverse_geocode |
Coordinates to address |
"What is at 28.5431, -81.3726?" |
maps_search_places |
Search places by text near a point |
"Coffee shops near Lake Eola" |
maps_place_details |
Phone, website, hours, rating, reviews |
"When does this restaurant close?" |
maps_directions |
Route with distance, time and steps |
"Drive time to Miami with traffic" |
maps_distance_matrix |
Times between many origins and destinations |
"Which store is closest to each customer?" |
maps_elevation |
Elevation of points |
"How high is this trailhead?" |
maps_timezone |
Time zone of a location |
"What time zone is Cusco in?" |
Supported AI Agents
The extension auto-registers with every AI agent it detects:
| Agent |
How It Registers |
Config File |
| VS Code Copilot |
VS Code API (automatic) |
-- |
| Claude Code |
~/.claude.json |
JSON |
| Cursor |
~/.cursor/mcp.json |
JSON |
| OpenAI Codex |
~/.codex/config.toml |
TOML |
| Google Gemini |
~/.gemini/settings.json |
JSON |
| Windsurf |
~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json |
JSON |
| Continue.dev |
~/.continue/config.yaml |
YAML |
| Cline |
VS Code globalStorage |
JSON |
You can toggle individual agents on/off in Settings > search googleMapsMcp.agents.
Settings
| Setting |
Default |
Description |
googleMapsMcp.agents.* |
true |
Per-agent registration toggles |
googleMapsMcp.registrationScope |
"global" |
Global or workspace registration |
googleMapsMcp.autoStart |
true |
Auto-start server on VS Code launch |
googleMapsMcp.serverLogLevel |
"info" |
Server log verbosity |
Commands
Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for:
| Command |
What It Does |
Google Maps MCP: Setup Authentication |
Run the setup wizard |
Google Maps MCP: Register with AI Agents |
Re-register with all detected agents |
Google Maps MCP: Show Status |
Show auth method and server state |
Google Maps MCP: Restart MCP Server |
Restart the background MCP server |
Google Maps MCP: Check Authentication Status |
Verify credentials are valid |
Google Maps MCP: View Server Logs |
Open the output channel for debugging |
Google Maps MCP: Remove from All Agents |
Clean up all agent registrations |
Troubleshooting
"Google Maps MCP: Setup" in the status bar
Your API key isn't configured. Click the status bar item or run Google Maps MCP: Setup Authentication.
"Permission Denied" errors
Your API key is restricted or the API is not enabled. Enable the Geocoding, Places, Directions, Distance Matrix, Elevation and Time Zone APIs for the key's project.
Server keeps crashing
Run Google Maps MCP: View Server Logs to see the error. Common causes:
- Missing API key: run the setup wizard again
- Node.js not found: install Node.js 22 or newer
Uninstalling cleanly
Before uninstalling, run Google Maps MCP: Remove from All Agents to clean up config files.
Privacy
This extension:
- Does NOT collect telemetry or send data to third parties
- Communicates only with Google APIs using your own API key
- Stores your API key in VS Code's built-in SecretStorage (encrypted, per-user)
- The key is written only to a file in the extension's private storage (mode 600) for the server to read
Links
By Renzo Johnson | Published by mercurial
