The new feature is available on Google Maps on the web and for Android mobile users in Britain, the US, Canada, France and Australia. It covers major routes across Britain and several cities, including London, Glasgow and Manchester.
Google Maps now offers a choice of routes and drivers can choose which one to follow based on current traffic conditions. The feature could eliminate the need for a dedicated satnav for Android mobile users.
Szabolcs Payrits, a software engineer on Google Maps, wrote on the Google Maps blog: "If the roads you're traveling do not yet show the current traffic information, don't despair. You can help your fellow drivers and improve traffic data about road conditions and speeds by turning on the My Location feature on Google Maps for Android."
Google will use the information received from Android mobile phones to get better traffic data.
The search company previously estimated journey times using the longest journey time taken from historic data. The new feature updates constantly and so provides more accurate estimates.