Nearby POI along the route

Starting from version 8, which is now being gradually rolled out, the MapFactor Navigator app for Android allows you to show the nearest Points of Interest (POIs) along your route during navigation. This feature is especially helpful when planning fuel stops (e.g. petrol stations or electric vehicle charging points) or rest breaks (e.g. nearby parking areas) while driving. But you can use it for any other POI.

Navigator 8.0 Nearby POI navigation landscape screenshot

On the navigation screen, the distance to the two closest POIs from the selected category is automatically displayed. The default POI type is the petrol station, but you can easily switch to a different POI type or disable the feature altogether.

How to Use the “Nearby POI Along Route” Feature

To try the feature right away, simply update to version 8 of Navigator – it will automatically activate during navigation, showing nearby petrol stations by default.

Tapping one of the POI icons opens a menu with the following options:

Set the Point of Interest as a waypoint

Tap the icon of a suggested POI to add it to your current route as a stop. Navigator will recalculate your route and add the selected POI as a temporary waypoint and guide you there.
A flag will be added to the nearby POI distance icon to indicate that this POI has been added to your route as a new waypoint.

Navigator Truck 8.0 - nearby POI fuel station Navigator Truck 8.0 - nearby POI - action windows Navigator Truck 8.0 - nearby POI fuel station set as waypoint

By tapping the icon again, you can remove the waypoint or perform other actions described further below.

Navigator Truck 8.0 - nearby POI - delete waypoint

You can find this new waypoint and manage it in Route Info – Routing points as usual as well.

Navigator 8.0 route info - waypoint fuel station

Note on distances shown in the nearby POI distance icon:

When showing the nearby POI distance icon, two different types of distance information may be displayed:

If the POI is not set as a waypoint, the POI distance icon shows the distance to the point where you would need to turn off your current route to reach the POI. On the “Set as waypoint” screen, before you add this POI as a waypoint, both distances are shown: the distance to that turn-off point and the direct distance to the POI.

Once the POI is added as a waypoint and lies on your route, only the distance to the POI is shown. This is also reflected in the nearby POI distance icon, which then includes a waypoint flag.

Change POI type

If petrol stations aren’t what you’re currently looking for, you can choose a different type of POI from a wide selection, including EV charging stations, car parks, truck stops and more.

Navigator 8.0 navigation nearest POI - select other poi type Navigator 8.0 POI categories Navigator 8.0 POI type Truck stop Navigator 8.0 navigation nearest POI - truck stop

Disable POI display along route

You can easily turn this feature off if you don’t need it at the moment.

Navigator 8.0 navigation nearest POI - Turn off feature Navigator 8.0 navigation without nearest poi

Turning the “Nearby POI Along Route” Feature On or Off

As mentioned, the feature is switched on by default so you can test it immediately after updating. If you disable it, you can turn it back on at any time via the map’s action menu:

Long-press anywhere on the navigation screen (outside the icons).

In the menu that appears, select Show/Hide Near POI distance.

Other Ways to Search and Use POIs in Navigator for Android and iOS

The “Nearby POI Along Route” feature (Android) is designed for quick access to useful places near your current route. However, MapFactor Navigator also offers other options to search for and use POIs:

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