README.md
14 powerful Google Maps tools for location services, mapping, and weather data.
Google Maps MCP Server Enhanced
A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides 14 powerful Google Maps tools for location services, visual mapping, weather data, and environmental information. Perfect for camping trip planning, outdoor research, location analysis, and any application requiring rich geographic data.
🌟 Features
🗺️ **Core Mapping (6 tools)**
- Geocoding: Convert addresses to coordinates
- Reverse Geocoding: Convert coordinates to addresses
- Places Search: Find businesses, landmarks, and points of interest
- Place Details: Get comprehensive information about specific places
- Distance Matrix: Calculate travel times and distances between multiple points
- Directions: Get detailed turn-by-turn directions with multiple travel modes
📸 **Visual Mapping (2 tools)**
- Street View: Get panoramic street-level imagery with customizable viewing angles
- Static Maps: Generate static map images in multiple styles (roadmap, satellite, terrain, hybrid) with markers
🌤️ **Environmental Data (6 tools)**
- Weather: Current conditions and forecasts for trip planning
- Air Quality: Air quality indices and pollutant data for outdoor activities
- Solar: Solar irradiance data for solar power planning at campsites
- Pollen: Pollen and allergy information for outdoor activities
- Elevation: Elevation data for terrain analysis
- Enhanced Routing: Advanced route planning with traffic awareness
🎯 Perfect For
- 🏕️ Camping & Outdoor Planning: Weather, terrain, and site analysis
- 🔍 Research Projects: Location data gathering and environmental monitoring
- 🚗 Travel Applications: Route planning with real-time conditions
- 📊 Data Analysis: Geographic data collection and visualization
- 🏢 Business Applications: Location intelligence and market analysis
📋 Prerequisites
- Node.js (v18+)
- Google Cloud Platform Account with billing enabled
- Google Maps API Key with required APIs enabled
⚙️ Setup
1. **Clone and Install**
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/google-maps-mcp-server.git
cd google-maps-mcp-server
npm install
2. **Google Cloud Setup**
Enable these APIs in Google Cloud Console:
Required APIs:
- Maps JavaScript API
- Geocoding API
- Places API
- Directions API
- Distance Matrix API
- Elevation API
- Maps Static API (for static map images)
- Street View Static API (for street view images)
Environmental APIs (Optional but Recommended):
- Air Quality API
- Solar API
- Pollen API
- Weather API
3. **Get API Key**
- In Google Cloud Console → APIs & Services → Credentials
- Create API Key
- Restrict the key to the APIs listed above (recommended for security)
4. **Build the Server**
npm run build
🔧 Claude Desktop Integration
Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-maps": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/google-maps-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
}
}
}
}
🛠️ Tool Reference
📍 **Location Services**
| Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
maps_geocode |
Address → Coordinates | "Convert 'Yellowstone National Park' to lat/lng" |
maps_reverse_geocode |
Coordinates → Address | "What's at coordinates 44.4280, -110.5885?" |
maps_search_places |
Find nearby places | "Find campgrounds near Yellowstone" |
maps_place_details |
Detailed place info | "Get hours, reviews, contact info for a campground" |
🚗 **Navigation & Distance**
| Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
maps_directions |
Turn-by-turn directions | "Driving directions from Chicago to Yellowstone" |
maps_distance_matrix |
Multi-point distances | "Travel times between 5 potential campsites" |
maps_routes |
Enhanced routing | "Optimal route avoiding traffic and tolls" |
maps_elevation |
Terrain elevation | "Elevation profile for hiking trail" |
📸 **Visual Mapping**
| Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
maps_street_view |
Street-level imagery | "See what the campground entrance looks like" |
maps_static_map |
Static map images | "Satellite view of research area with markers" |
🌤️ **Environmental Data**
| Tool | Purpose | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
maps_weather |
Weather forecasts | "5-day forecast for camping trip" |
maps_air_quality |
Air pollution data | "Air quality for outdoor activities" |
maps_solar |
Solar irradiance | "Solar panel potential at campsite" |
maps_pollen |
Allergy information | "Pollen levels for sensitive individuals" |
💡 Usage Examples
**Trip Planning Workflow**
# 1. Find potential campsites
maps_search_places(query="campgrounds near Glacier National Park")
#
Tools (14)
maps_geocodeConvert addresses to coordinatesmaps_reverse_geocodeConvert coordinates to addressesmaps_search_placesFind businesses, landmarks, and points of interestmaps_place_detailsGet comprehensive information about specific placesmaps_directionsGet detailed turn-by-turn directions with multiple travel modesmaps_distance_matrixCalculate travel times and distances between multiple pointsmaps_routesAdvanced route planning with traffic awarenessmaps_elevationElevation data for terrain analysismaps_street_viewGet panoramic street-level imagerymaps_static_mapGenerate static map images in multiple stylesmaps_weatherCurrent conditions and forecasts for trip planningmaps_air_qualityAir quality indices and pollutant datamaps_solarSolar irradiance data for solar power planningmaps_pollenPollen and allergy informationEnvironment Variables
GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEYrequiredAPI key from Google Cloud Console with required APIs enabledConfiguration
claude_desktop_config.json
{"mcpServers": {"google-maps": {"command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/google-maps-mcp-server/dist/index.js"], "env": {"GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"}}}}Try it
→Find campgrounds near Yellowstone National Park and get their contact information.
→What is the 5-day weather forecast for coordinates 44.4280, -110.5885?
→Calculate the travel time between these 5 potential campsites in the Pacific Northwest.
→Show me the elevation profile for a hiking trail starting at these coordinates.
→Get driving directions from Chicago to Yellowstone and check for traffic-aware routes.