Waze users are growing increasingly frustrated as the app continues to suggest longer routes, despite fresh updates hitting the Play Store and App Store in the past few days. Complaints about this issue have been popping up all over Reddit and Google’s support forums, with users reporting that the app frequently bypasses shorter, faster routes in favor of longer ones.
As reported by Auto Evolution, the bug popped up sometime in December and continues to take users down longer routes. One user on Reddit shared that Waze directed them past their usual exit toward one that added five minutes to their trip. Interestingly, the app still claimed this was the fastest route. Others chimed in, saying they’ve noticed similar problems over the last month or so. Longtime Waze enthusiasts, some with over a decade of use, are questioning whether this is just a bug or something more intentional.
Apart from the confirmation from product exerts on Google’s support forums last month, a moderator on Reddit also now confirmed the issue, describing it as a known bug. They’ve been forwarding reports to Waze’s development team but admitted there’s been no fix yet. The lack of progress is pushing many users to abandon the app for alternatives like Google Maps and Apple Maps, both of which seem to handle routing more reliably.
Some users are even convinced the issue stems from Google deprioritizing Waze in favor of Google Maps. “It feels like they’re killing Waze on purpose,” one commenter wrote. Meanwhile, others have taken a more practical approach, manually checking routes or switching to other apps altogether. Apple Maps, once heavily criticized, is earning unexpected praise for its improvements in recent years.
For Waze users who rely on the app for daily commutes or long road trips, this bug is more than an inconvenience — it’s eroding trust. Many have highlighted how they now double-check Waze’s suggestions or outright ignore them in favor of their own instincts.
Until Waze fixes this routing issue, more users may jump ship. For an app built on the promise of helping drivers save time, offering slower routes is a serious misstep. We’ll keep an eye out for any further developments on this and will update the article.
Dwayne Cubbins
525 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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