Alexa, what’s the traffic?
Alexa traffic updates & everything you need to know
4 tips to easily get Alexa traffic updates:
#1. Set your default home and work address
To provide traffic info for your daily morning commute, Alexa needs to know your starting point (home) and ending point (work).
How?
Follow these easy steps to set your morning commute default “From” and “To” locations:
- Open the Alexa app
- Tap the hamburger icon in the upper left corner
- Tap Settings
- Scroll down to Traffic
- Set the From and To fields
Pro Tip
While you’re updating traffic settings, tap Default Navigation App at the bottom of the tab to choose Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps.
#2. To get traffic for your daily commute, just say “Alexa, what’s the traffic?”
Once you’ve set your default morning commute “To” and “From” locations, all you have to say is “Alexa, what’s the traffic?” to get your morning traffic update.
Pro Tip
Alexa is not currently set up to provide public transit (e.g., NYC subway) directions. I hope this changes soon!
#3. Alexa can also give you traffic info for other destinations
How?
Just say “Alexa, how long will it take to get to the Empire State Building?” (insert your destination!)
Pro Tip
When you ask Alexa for traffic information, Alexa will assume the starting point is the address associated with your Echo. To check that it’s correct, follow a few simple steps:
- Open your Alexa app
- Tap the hamburger icon in the upper left corner
- Tap Settings
- Tap Device Settings
- Tap the name of the device
- Scroll down and tap Device Location (under General section). If it’s incorrect or not populated, you can update it here
#4. Add a daily commute traffic update to your morning Alexa routine
I highly recommend adding a traffic update to your morning Alexa Routine.
If you don’t already have a morning Alexa routine, set one up that kicks off when your alarm goes off. My morning routine gradually turns my lights on, gives me weather, news and traffic updates and plays my get-out-of bed playlist.
See Also
How to easily use the Uber Alexa skill
8 Alexa Settings That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Alexa Experience