Nice, I had no idea. I admit that I've never used Waze.. maybe I should start.
The tolls option is great. Rather than having an "avoid tolls" setting, it just gives you multiple options and let you decide in the moment. For example, you might enter a destination and it'll give you 3 results:
- 35 min, no tolls
- 30 min, $2 tolls
- 28 min, $9 tolls
Google Maps doesn't understand the concept of "some tolls", nor "I want tolls sometimes, but only if I'm in a hurry or the time saving is significant".
Everything else is just that little bit nicer too.
Sometimes it’s not even much of an increased distance, just departmental roads with a lower speed limit.
And gas/food is always cheaper off the highway, but I will admit French highway service stations do have fairly clean and free bathrooms.
I recently told my children how it was like to take the highway during summer time about 40 years ago when I was a kid.
They had all kind of entertainment, large tents for families with babies (and free diapers). There also was a sort of large national game for children where they would "hunt the spoils" - get points for actions that reduced fuel use (opening windows, checking tires pressure, etc.)
There are no more such things today, the areas are just overcrowded - but I agree that they are very well organized.
I like it for intra-town commutes where I know where I'm going already and just want to possibly try something new, but if I've never been to a place before or want the "works best 80% of the time" route, maps all the way.
YMMV.