When a user is routed through an unnamed segment, Waze will automatically use the name of the next named segment on the route. For example, if the unnamed segment is a turn in your route, Waze will automatically use the name of the next named segment in the turn instruction.
As from (January 2015), this feature would NOT work if:
- A single unnamed segment is more than 400 meters long.
- There are more than three consecutive unnamed segments.
In these cases, you would only be getting the turn instruction. There will be no name written/flashed on the display or spoken by the navigation voice.
Freeways and Ramps are an exception. They can have as many unnamed segments as you like, and the segments can be as long as you like. Waze will always generate the next instruction with the name of the next named segment.
Tip for naming an exit ramp:
If the exit off a freeway serves multiple exits further down the road, you can leave the name out of the first exit ramp. Only name the ramp segments which go to a specific destination. By doing this, the Waze client will give all the correct exit instructions to guide the driver to the desired exit. Of course, this can only be done if the signage for the first ramp is the same as that on the subsequent named ramp.
(To me, it remains unclear what happens if an unnamed ramp is longer than 400 meters or have more than three segments, and the next segment is not a freeway or ramp, e.g., when going to a major highway).