MapQuest is once again a household name in the United States, climbing to the top of app store charts after decades out of the spotlight. The original mapping service is now moving quickly to add Android Auto support as it works to hold on to a wave of new users.
MapQuest has existed for 30 years, but it only stepped into the modern era in 2024, when it relaunched with a private mobile mapping app pitched as an “anti-Big Tech” alternative. That version has since been shut down, and a full MapQuest app arrived earlier this year. That newer release is now sitting at the top of the charts.
MapQuest Climbs the App Store and Play Store
As of August 30, MapQuest ranked as the #8 free app on Apple’s App Store, and it reached #5 on the Google Play Store, based on US figures. According to the company, this marks the highest chart position in the brand’s 30-year history, with usage running at roughly 50 times its normal rate.
The surge stems largely from a rejection of the “Lake America” renaming. MapQuest has declined to update “Lake Ontario” on its platform following a recent US executive order, a change that Google Maps and, more recently, Apple Maps have adopted. The viral attention around that decision reminded many users that MapQuest still exists and drove the fresh spike in popularity.
MapQuest Rushes to Support Android Auto
To keep those new users engaged, MapQuest confirmed it is rapidly building out Android Auto support. The app already works with CarPlay on iPhone. Android Auto opened up to third-party navigation apps several years ago, and drivers now have a number of options to choose from.
MapQuest still trails Google Maps and rivals on features such as live transit, but it offers turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic data, and more. The service is currently owned by System1, an advertising company.
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