Google Maps on Android Auto finally gets up to speed with this Waze feature - Android Authority

What the report says

Android Authority reports that Google Maps is beginning to show a live speedometer for some Android Auto users, addressing a feature gap that has stood out because the same capability has already been available in Google Maps on Android phones, iOS, and Apple CarPlay. The publication said the change is appearing for select users rather than as a broad release.

According to the report, the feature shows a floating current-speed indicator alongside the posted speed limit while Google Maps navigation is active on the Android Auto display. If a route is not running, it can still display the vehicle’s current speed. Android Authority said the speed readout can change color, including yellow or red, when the driver is above the local limit.

The article attributed the discovery to Reddit user SimulatorStudio, with other commenters also reporting the feature, and noted that 9to5Google had spotted the discussion. Android Authority said the rollout appears tied to the Google Maps beta, specifically version 26.29.02.946673643, but cautioned that Google often controls Android Auto features through server-side switches, so installing the beta may not make it appear for everyone.

The update matters because Android Auto users have long lacked a feature present elsewhere in Google’s navigation ecosystem and in Waze, the Google-owned navigation app. While cars already include speedometers in the instrument cluster, Android Authority noted that displaying speed in the Maps interface may still be useful, particularly for passengers or for keeping navigation and speed-limit information in one visible place.