Seattle drivers asking Google Maps for the quickest way to avoid traffic across town are reporting that they are now finding themselves rerouted through Spokane.
“I try to not take I-5 North during rush hour because, I mean, it’s a parking lot,” said Matt McMillen, whose commute takes him to and from Northgate, but usually not so far away from The Coast.
Last week, however, McMillen said he was incredulous when his phone drew a blue line all the way across the state.
“I’ve found a faster route: Take I-90 East ramp to Spokane,” the Google Assistant told McMillen, who followed her directions anyway. “Continue straight for 280 miles. You are on the fastest route.”
Desiree Johnson, just trying to get to a yoga class in West Seattle, said she was confused when it was actually faster to take a 574-mile detour.
“Sometimes I’m skeptical of Google Maps, but she’s always right,” said Johnson. “When I arrived at the studio about ten hours later, the friend I was planning on meeting there was still stuck somewhere in Seattle refusing to zipper merge.”
