> [!CAUTION]
> **Reminder:** To use the Routes API, you must [enable billing](https://console.cloud.google.com/project/_/billing/enable?utm_source=Docs_BillingNudge) on each of your projects and include an [API key](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/routes/get-api-key.md.txt) or OAuth token with all API or SDK requests.

Requests for the Routes API are billed under the SKU for the
[features used by the request](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/routes/usage-and-billing.md.txt#pricing-for-product).

[Compute Routes](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/routes/compute_route_directions.md.txt) and [Compute Route Matrix](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/routes/compute_route_matrix.md.txt) each have three SKUs that
determine the cost of a request. The SKU used to determine the cost is based on
the service you request, Compute Routes or
Compute Route Matrix, and the features that you use in the request.
For example:

- **Compute Routes** requests are billed for each
  **Request**.

- **Compute Route Matrix** requests are billed per **ELEMENT**
  returned from the request. The number of elements is the number of origins
  multiplied by the number of destinations. For example, if a request contains
  **two** origins and **three** destinations, then the request is billed for
  **six** elements.

The features you use determine which SKU category is billed:

- **Essentials**: Billed for requests that use only basic features with a
  maximum of 10 intermediate waypoints.

- **Pro** : Billed for requests that use an advanced feature, such as the
  `TRAFFIC_AWARE` or `TRAFFIC_AWARE_OPTIMAL` route modifiers.

- **Enterprise**: Billed for requests that use an enterprise feature, such as
  two-wheel routing or large vehicle routing.

See the SKU details for a complete list of features that trigger these SKUs.

## SKU details and pricing for the Routes API

The following table shows the pay-as-you-go SKU details and pricing for the Routes API.

| Category | SKU Details | SKU Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| **Essentials** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Routes Essentials](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-routes-ess-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |
| **Essentials** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Route Matrix Essentials](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-route-matrix-ess-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |
| **Pro** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Routes Pro](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-routes-pro-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |
| **Pro** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Route Matrix Pro](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-route-matrix-pro-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |
| **Enterprise** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Routes Enterprise](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-routes-ent-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |
| **Enterprise** | [SKU: Routes: Compute Route Matrix Enterprise](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/sku-details/routes.md.txt#compute-route-matrix-ent-sku) | [Global pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing.md.txt#routes-pricing) [India pricing list](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/pricing-india.md.txt#routes-pricing) |

## Usage limits

The following usage limits are in place for the Routes API.

### Compute Routes

- Rate limit of 3,000 QPM queries per minute.

- Maximum allowed number of intermediate waypoints per `ComputeRoutes` request
  is 25.

### Compute Route Matrix

- The rate limit is 3,000 EPM elements per minute, calculated
  by number of origins times the number of destinations.

- Maximum allowed number of origins and destinations that you can specify by
  using a place ID or address is 50.

- Maximum allowed total number of elements per `ComputeRouteMatrix` request
  with `routingPreference` set to `TRAFFIC_AWARE_OPTIMAL` is 100.

- Maximum allowed total number of elements per `ComputeRouteMatrix` request
  with `travelMode` set to `TRANSIT` is 100.

- Maximum allowed total number of elements per `ComputeRouteMatrix` request
  otherwise is 625.

## Cost-effective strategies for the Routes API

This section provides ways to optimize your usage and reduce costs associated
with the Routes API.

### Limit Compute Routes waypoints

Limit user entries in a query to a [maximum of 10
waypoints](https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/routes/usage-and-billing#pricing-for-product).
Requests containing more than 10 waypoints are billed at a higher rate.

### Use Compute Routes optimization for optimal routing

Requests using the waypoint optimization argument are billed at a higher rate.

The optimization argument sorts waypoints to ensure optimal routing. This means
that travel from A to E is a better experience when optimized (A-B-C-D-E) versus
the random sequence of a non-optimized route, such as A-D-B-C-E.

### Use real-time traffic models in Compute Routes

Compute Routes
requests that include real-time traffic models are billed at a higher rate. If
traffic models are omitted from a request, the results are based solely on
physical factors: roads, distance, and speed limits. Enable real-time traffic
models by setting the departure time to `now`.

### Use Route Traveled \& Nearest Road when GPS data is imprecise

The Maps Roads API features, Route Traveled and Nearest Road, are
included in the advanced tier and are billed at a higher rate. Use these
features where GPS data is imprecise and the Roads API can help
determine the correct road. Speed Limits, another feature of the
Roads API, is available only to Asset Tracking customers.

## Adjust quota


Quota limits define the maximum number of requests allowed for a specific API or service within a
given timeframe. When the number of requests in your project reaches the quota limit, your service
stops responding to requests.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> **Important:** To understand how a quota increase might affect your bill, see the [pricing calculator](https://mapsplatform.google.com/pricing/#pricing-calculator).

To modify a quota value for your API, follow these steps:

1. In the Cloud console, go to **Google Maps Platform \> Quotas**.
2. Select the API for which you want to modify the quota.
3. Identify the quota value that you want to change, and select it using the checkbox.
4. Click **Edit** , enter a new quota value, and click **Submit request**.

### View quota increase requests

> [!IMPORTANT]
> **Important:** You must have the appropriate [IAM permissions to view quota increase requests](https://cloud.google.com/docs/quotas/permissions#permissions_increase).

To view all quota increase requests, including past and pending requests, follow these steps:

1. In the Cloud console, go to **Google Maps Platform \> Quotas**.
2. Select the API for which you want to view the quota increase request.
3. Click **Increase Requests**.

> [!TIP]
> **Tip:** Monitor your quota usage regularly to avoid service interruptions. For more information, see [Quotas and quota alerts](https://developers.google.com/maps/billing-and-pricing/manage-costs.md.txt#quotas).

## Terms of Use restrictions

For complete details on allowed usage, consult the
[License Restrictions section](https://cloud.google.com/maps-platform/terms/#3.-license.)
in the Google Maps Platform Terms of Service.