Distance shown discrepancy? Why is the distance in the listed results different from Directions?

Google Maps tips & tricks
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Have you ever noticed that as you start to type a location into Google Maps possible results are listed with distances provided next to some of the outcomes, such as the example below?

An image of Google Maps predicting locations for a user search starting with the letters S-W-A-R-B. The top result, showing Swarbrick Art Loop, is circled in red. This result shows a distance of 68km adjacent to the Swarbrick Art Loop.
An image of Google Maps predicting locations for a user search starting with the letters S-W-A-R-B. The top result, showing Swarbrick Art Loop, is circled in red. This result shows a distance of 68km adjacent to the Swarbrick Art Loop.750×1334 115 KB
If you have, like me, you might have also wondered why when you click on a location and then select Directions you will be provided with an estimated travel time (for your selected mode of transport) and the distance shown along on a route that is a different distance to that shown on the previous list page, such as the example below.

An image of Google Maps Directions to Swarbrick Art Loop from user's current location showing the estimated travel time and distance in kilometres as 115km. The travel time and distance are circled in red.
An image of Google Maps Directions to Swarbrick Art Loop from user's current location showing the estimated travel time and distance in kilometres as 115km. The travel time and distance are circled in red.750×1334 163 KB

So you can see inthe example above that Swarbrick Art Loop is listed as 68km away from me and then in Directions is more accurately shown as 115km away from me.

Why is there a difference? Are the listed results showing you the distance ‘as the crow flies’? Or is this some kind of error??

I presume Google Maps is taking the distance in the predicted list of results from my current location also but I’m not sure.

I know to look at the Directions results to get an accurate measurement of the distance from my current location now but originally I was thrown a few times.

Would appreciate any help, especially if this is an error that Google needs to look into. Thanks!

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@PaulPavlinovich @TraciC @HelloJess @AriMar Can anyone shed light on this for me? I’m not sure how to bring this to the attention of Google Moderators so have just tagged those whose content I consume regularly. Many thanks!

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Just tagging Google Moderators in case anyone can help with my question…

@GeorgesHR, @KlaudiyaG, @NadyaPN, @MarinS, @Ivi_Ge, @MashaPS, @JavieraAu , @FelipePK , @IrrPavlova, @DeniGu, @Sorbe, @AngieYC, @InaS, @VasT, @AlexaAC, @TsekoV, @sonnyNg, @DanniS, @MoniDi, @Petra_M, @KatyaL, @MortenSI, @RadieN, @Aruni, @VitB, @MoniV, @LilyanaZ, @BorrisS and @PoliMC

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Your supposition is correct @HannahSpanna it isn’t a bug, the first distance is the km in a straight line between your current location and the place, the next distance(s) are those for the route options.

Regards Paul

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Good to know, thanks @PaulPavlinovich . How do you know this stuff??

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Much of my knowledge comes from using Maps, talking with Product Experts (PE) and people I’ve talked to in the Maps team @HannahSpanna as well as the support articles.https://support.google.com/maps#topic=3092425

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