Google Maps MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that gives Claude and other MCP clients access to the Google Maps Platform: geocoding, place search, place details, directions, distance matrix, and elevation.

Tools

Tool	Description
maps_geocode	Convert an address or place name into coordinates
maps_reverse_geocode	Convert coordinates into a human-readable address
maps_search_places	Free-text place search (restaurants, businesses, landmarks), with optional location bias
maps_place_details	Full details for a place: phone, website, hours, rating, reviews
maps_directions	Turn-by-turn directions (driving, walking, bicycling, transit)
maps_distance_matrix	Travel time and distance between multiple origins and destinations
maps_elevation	Elevation in meters for one or more coordinates

Prerequisites

1. Node.js 18+
2. A Google Maps API key — create one in the Google Cloud Console:
   • Create (or select) a project
   • Enable these APIs: Geocoding API, Places API, Directions API, Distance Matrix API, Elevation API
   • Create an API key under Credentials

Installation

git clone https://github.com/Mannycon1/Google-Maps-Mcp.git
cd Google-Maps-Mcp
npm install
npm run build

Usage with Claude Desktop

Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json (Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "google-maps": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/Google-Maps-Mcp/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop and the Google Maps tools will appear.

Usage with Claude Code

claude mcp add google-maps \
  --env GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE \
  -- node /absolute/path/to/Google-Maps-Mcp/dist/index.js

Testing manually

The server speaks JSON-RPC over stdio:

GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY node dist/index.js

Then paste an MCP initialize request to interact with it, or use the MCP Inspector:

GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector node dist/index.js

Security notes

• Never commit your API key. Pass it via the GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY environment variable (the .env pattern is gitignored).
• Consider restricting your API key to only the Maps APIs listed above.

License

MIT