When summer arrives and Spanish roads fill with vehicles, most drivers turn to Google Maps or Waze for navigation. Both applications offer precise directions and real-time traffic information, making them practically indispensable tools. But there is an alternative that many are unaware of and which, in certain aspects, surpasses the major navigation platforms: the DGT traffic map.

A more direct and accurate data source

The key to the DGT map's superiority lies in its data source. While Google Maps and Waze are primarily fed by information sent by users themselves—when they report an accident or when the system detects congestion through vehicle movement—the Directorate General of Traffic's traffic map draws directly from official sources. According to xataka.com, the DGT has a network of surveillance cameras, aerial systems and traffic officers from the Civil Guard's Traffic Unit that constantly monitor the state of roads.

This structure allows the map to reflect incidents faster and, above all, more accurately than its competitors. It is not just about knowing that there is a traffic jam, but knowing what time a delay began, when an accident occurred or how many lanes have been affected.

How to use the DGT map

Accessing this tool is straightforward. Drivers must visit the website infocar.dgt.es/etrafficWEB from any browser on their mobile phone or computer and either allow access to their location or zoom in on the area they wish to check.

Once inside, the map displays multiple icons representing different types of road incidents. To avoid information overload, it is possible to filter what you want to see through a menu accessible from the three-line icon in the upper right corner. It also uses an intuitive color code to show traffic density:

• Red: very heavy traffic
• Orange: moderate traffic
• Yellow: free-flowing traffic

Clicking on any incident opens a window with all the details: type of problem, exact start time and, where applicable, number of lanes closed. Additionally, there is a specific icon to check fires that have caused road closures.

Limitations: the perfect tool does not exist

Of course, the DGT map is not perfect. Its main weakness is that it is not a real-time navigation application: it is not something you can consult while driving. It is designed to check the state of roads before you start your trip, not during the journey.

Additionally, the web interface is not the most polished. Consulting it on a mobile phone is somewhat inconvenient, although it does adapt correctly to the screen and maintains functionality. It is not a product designed with the care that Google or Apple dedicate to their maps, but it fulfills its mission effectively.

The ideal strategy for this summer

The practical recommendation is clear: combine both tools. Before leaving home, consult the DGT map to know the real state of the roads with official precision. During your trip, use Google Maps or Waze as your navigator to receive route directions and, in case of traffic changes, to reorient your journey in real time.

With this combination, Spanish drivers will have access to the most complete and reliable information available. Are you already using it in your journeys?