How to set travel time alerts on iPhone

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read

Expert Verified

Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To set travel time alerts on your iPhone, you can use the Apple Maps app to create a route and enable notifications for travel time updates. This feature helps you stay informed about your travel status and potential delays, ensuring you arrive on time.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before setting travel time alerts on your iPhone, ensure you have the following:

•iPhone running iOS 13 or later (iOS 15 or later recommended for best experience)
•Apple Maps app installed (pre-installed on iPhones)
•Location Services enabled for Apple Maps
•Notifications enabled for Apple Maps
•An active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data)

Method 1: Using Apple Maps

This is the primary method to set travel time alerts using the Apple Maps app. Use this method when you want real-time updates on your route.

•Step 1: Open the Apple Maps app by tapping the 'Maps' icon on your home screen.
•Step 2: In the search bar at the top, enter your destination and tap 'Directions'.
•Step 3: Select your preferred mode of transport (Driving, Walking, Transit, or Cycling) by tapping the respective icon.
•Step 4: Tap 'Go' to start navigation. A route will be displayed along with an estimated travel time.
•Step 5: To enable travel time alerts, tap on the '...' button (three dots) in the top right corner.
•Step 6: Toggle on 'Notify Me' to receive alerts about travel time updates.
•Step 7: Verify that alerts are enabled by checking the notification settings in your iPhone's Settings app under 'Notifications' > 'Maps'.
•Step 8: If alerts do not appear, ensure that your location services are enabled by going to 'Settings' > 'Privacy' > 'Location Services' and confirming that Maps is set to 'While Using the App'.

For iOS 15 and later

In iOS 15, Apple Maps introduced enhanced features for travel time alerts. Follow these additional steps:

•Step 1: After tapping 'Go', you can also set a reminder for when to leave by tapping on the 'Leave Now' button.
•Step 2: Select 'Add a Reminder' to set a specific time to leave based on the travel time.

For iOS 14 and earlier

In older versions, the process is similar but may lack some advanced features.

•Step 1: Ensure you are using the latest version of Apple Maps available for your iOS version.
•Step 2: Follow the same steps as above, but note that some features like 'Leave Now' may not be available.

Method 2: Using Siri

You can also set travel time alerts using Siri, which can be faster and more convenient.

•Step 1: Activate Siri by saying 'Hey Siri' or pressing and holding the side button.
•Step 2: Say 'Get directions to [destination]' to start navigation.
•Step 3: Once the route is displayed, say 'Set a travel time alert'.
•Step 4: Siri will confirm the alert is set, and you will receive notifications based on traffic conditions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while setting travel time alerts, consider the following solutions:

•Error: 'Location services are disabled' - Solution: Go to 'Settings' > 'Privacy' > 'Location Services' and enable it.
•Issue: 'Notifications not appearing' - Fix: Ensure notifications for Maps are enabled in 'Settings' > 'Notifications' > 'Maps'.
•Problem: 'Travel time alerts not updating' - Workaround: Restart your iPhone and check your internet connection.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

Enhance your experience with these tips and shortcuts:

•Keyboard shortcut: N/A - Siri can be used as a voice shortcut for navigation.
•Hidden feature: 'Share ETA' - After starting navigation, tap on 'Share ETA' to send your estimated arrival time to contacts.
•Tip: Use 'Do Not Disturb While Driving' mode to avoid distractions while navigating.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

For the best experience with travel time alerts, regularly update your iPhone and Apple Maps to access the latest features and improvements.