Google MCP Server

STDIO-based MCP server for Google Maps Platform APIs

Local serverstdio

What is the Google MCP server?

STDIO-based MCP server for Google Maps Platform APIs. The google mcp server wraps that behind the Model Context Protocol, so an assistant can use it through 10 defined tools rather than through you.

What it actually does

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides comprehensive access to Google Maps Platform APIs. This server enables LLMs to perform geocoding, places search, routing, and other geospatial operations through a standardized interface.

  • 🗺️ Comprehensive Google Maps Integration - Access to Places, Routes, Geocoding, and utility APIs
  • 🔍 Advanced Places Search - Text search, nearby search, autocomplete, and detailed place information
  • 🛣️ Smart Routing - Route computation with real-time traffic, tolls, and alternative routes
  • 📍 Precise Geocoding - Forward and reverse geocoding with international support
  • 🌐 Geolocation Services - IP-based and WiFi/cellular location estimation
  • 📊 Rich Resources - Built-in documentation and examples accessible via MCP resources

Its toolset

Everything the assistant can do here goes through one of these:

  • elevation_get — Elevation API
  • timezone_get — Time Zone API
  • geolocation_estimate — Geolocation API
  • roads_nearest — Roads API
  • Cursor — Add to your Cursor MCP settings (~/.cursor/mcp.json or through Command Palette > Open MCP Settings > New MCP Server):
  • Geocoding — The Geocoding tool exposed by this server
  • Places — The Places tool exposed by this server
  • Routing — The Routing tool exposed by this server
  • Utilities — The Utilities tool exposed by this server
  • Testing — The Testing tool exposed by this server

Configuration

You will need 4 environment variables: GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY, GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_ENABLED, GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MS, GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_MAX_REQUESTS. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

Adding it to your client

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at google-maps-mcp-server on npm and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

When to reach for it

Plenty of knowledge and memory servers cover similar ground. The differences that matter in practice are scope of access and how much setup stands between you and a working tool call. Google's toolset — elevation_get, timezone_get, geolocation_estimate and 7 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow.

SyncDev reviews every entry in this directory against the project's own documentation before publishing, and revisits them as servers change.

Caveats

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 10 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Google.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the google mcp server does with a few real requests.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
elevation_getElevation API
timezone_getTime Zone API
geolocation_estimateGeolocation API
roads_nearestRoads API
CursorAdd to your Cursor MCP settings (~/.cursor/mcp.json or through Command Palette > Open MCP Settings > New MCP Server):
GeocodingThe Geocoding tool exposed by this server.
PlacesThe Places tool exposed by this server.
RoutingThe Routing tool exposed by this server.
UtilitiesThe Utilities tool exposed by this server.
TestingThe Testing tool exposed by this server.

How to install the Google MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "google-maps-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_ENABLEDConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_WINDOW_MSConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
GOOGLE_MAPS_RATE_LIMIT_MAX_REQUESTSConfiguration value read at startup.Optional

Example prompts to try

  • Use Google to elevation get.
  • Use Google to timezone get.
  • Use Google to geolocation estimate.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Google to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 10 tools (elevation_get, timezone_get, geolocation_estimate, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Google directly.