If you’ve ever been out on a run and suddenly had to go, you know what, Google Maps might have just solved your problem.
On Thursday, Google launched its new “Ask Maps” initiative, an immersive navigation feature designed to make it easier to find nearby amenities, including public bathrooms, without having to buy a bottle of water or ask for a key.
Finally, you can ask Maps to “Find me a public toilet nearby where I don’t need to wait in line to buy something.”
Welcome to the future.
— Google Maps (@googlemaps) March 12, 2026
If you’ve updated to the latest version of Google Maps, you’ll find the Ask Maps feature under the search bar. Type a prompt like: “Find me a public toilet nearby where I don’t need to wait in line to buy something,” and the app will show you the nearest option.
For runners navigating busy city streets, the feature could be a game-changer. Instead of gambling on whether a café or store has a public restroom, you can quickly locate the nearest bathroom mid-run when nature calls.
Of course, if you’re deep in the woods on a backcountry trail, the feature might not be much help, but you probably already knew nature’s calling.
A beta version of Ask Maps first launched in New York City in 2024 as part of a broader initiative between Google and city officials to improve and expand public restroom access across all five boroughs. Now, the feature has expanded across the U.S. and will soon be in Canada, making it easier to locate a public bathroom anywhere you have cellular data.
And bathroom breaks aren’t the only thing runners can use it for. Beyond mid-run emergencies, Ask Maps can be used to find a nearby trail for a 10-kilometre route or locate alternatives to a track for a speed workout. In other words, it might just become your trusty partner the moment you step out the door.
