Representative embodiments disclose mechanisms to utilize navigation routes in order to avoid or minimize sun glare along the navigation route. Some embodiments first estimate whether it is likely that sun glare will be perceived while navigating between a starting location and an ending location. If sun glare is likely, the navigation route is calculated using sun glare as part of a cost function. If sun glare is not likely, the navigation route is calculated without regard to sun glare. Real-time sun glare feedback can be received from one user device and used in sun glare calculations for another user device. In some embodiments a trained machine learning model can be utilized as part of the sun glare calculation. Other embodiments include digital assistants that use sun glare information to recommend actions and/or take actions on behalf of a user.