Avoid Tolls, Highways & Ferries in Google Maps

This guide shows you how to set Google Maps to avoid toll roads, highways, and ferries so your route sticks to local roads and free crossings. You only need the Google Maps app on your phone or the website on a computer—no special setup is required.

What You’ll Need

A device with Google Maps installed (Android, iPhone, or a web browser)
An internet connection (or offline maps for the area, though live traffic won’t update)
Your destination address or a saved place

Step-by-Step

Open Google Maps on your phone or computer.
Enter your destination in the search bar at the top, then tap or click the route (directions) icon—usually a blue arrow or the word “Directions.”
Set your starting point if it isn’t already your current location. Tap the circle icon to use “Your location” or type an address.
Open route options: On the phone app, tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of the route card, then select “Route options.” On a computer, click the three dots next to the route summary and choose “Route options.”
Toggle the avoid options in the Route options menu:
- Avoid tolls—turn this on to skip toll roads.
- Avoid highways—turn this on to skip freeways and major expressways.
- Avoid ferries—turn this on to skip ferry crossings.
Close the menu by tapping the X or back arrow. The map will recalculate the route instantly.
Review the suggested route—it will now avoid the selected road types. Check the time and distance to see if the detour is acceptable.
Start navigation by tapping the green “Start” button at the bottom of the screen.

If you want these preferences to apply to every future trip, you can set them as defaults in the app’s settings (see Tips below).

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to re-enable options—Google Maps remembers your last selection, but if you switch to a different device or browser, it may reset.
Assuming “avoid highways” means all multi-lane roads—it only skips limited-access freeways, not regular city boulevards.
Not checking the route after toggling—sometimes the app still shows a toll road if it’s the only option; verify the blue line doesn’t cross a toll icon.
Using the wrong menu—on some versions, “Route options” is hidden under the three-dot menu, not directly on the route card.
Turning on all three but not seeing a change—if your area has few alternatives, the route may remain similar, but the app should still show a warning.

Tips

Set defaults for all trips: On Android, tap your profile picture → Settings → Navigation settings, then toggle “Avoid tolls,” “Avoid highways,” and “Avoid ferries.” On iPhone, go to Settings → Navigation (or Driving options) and enable the same toggles. This way every new route automatically avoids them.
Use the “avoid” options together—for example, avoiding both highways and tolls often gives a scenic back-roads route, but be prepared for longer travel time.
Check the route details—tap the route card to see a list of turns and any remaining tolls or ferries. If one still appears, you can drag the route to a different road.
For a one-time detour, you can also tap on a specific road on the map and drag the blue line to reroute manually, which can be useful if the automatic avoidance is too aggressive.
On a computer, after setting the options, you can see the route on a larger screen and print it if needed.

Troubleshooting

Route still shows a toll road: This happens when the only viable path is a toll road, or when the toll is a small segment that Google considers unavoidable. Try toggling “Avoid tolls” off and on again, or zoom in to see if you can drag the route onto a parallel free road.

Options are grayed out or missing: Make sure you’re in driving mode, not walking or transit. Some options are only available for car navigation. If you’re on the web, try a different browser or the mobile app.

Avoid highways doesn’t work: In some countries, “highways” may refer to specific road types. If you’re still routed onto a freeway, check that you haven’t accidentally toggled it off. Also, remember that the app may still use a short highway segment if there’s no alternative—consider dragging the route to a local road.

Ferry avoidance not available in your region: The ferry option may not appear in all countries. If it’s missing, you can manually avoid the ferry by tapping the ferry icon on the map and dragging the route around it.

Changes don’t save: If you set defaults in Settings but they don’t apply, restart the app or log out and back in. Also, check that you’re not in a temporary “incognito” mode which may ignore preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid tolls without avoiding highways?

Yes, you can enable only “Avoid tolls” and leave “Avoid highways” off. This will skip toll roads but still allow free highways.

Will avoiding highways always be slower?

Usually yes, but not always. In heavy traffic, a local road route can be faster than a congested freeway. Google Maps shows both time and distance, so you can compare.

Do these settings work for walking or biking directions?

No, the toll, highway, and ferry avoidance options only apply to driving directions. For walking or biking, Google Maps already avoids highways by default.

Can I avoid tolls on a specific trip without changing my default settings?

Yes, use the Route options menu during that trip. It will apply only to that navigation session.

Why does Google Maps still show a ferry even after I toggle “Avoid ferries”?

If the ferry is the only way to cross a body of water, Google Maps may still show it, but it will usually add a warning. You can manually drag the route to a bridge or tunnel if one exists.

Does this work in Google Maps on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

Yes, the avoidance settings you set in the phone app before starting navigation will carry over to CarPlay or Android Auto. You can also change them during navigation by tapping the route overview and selecting options.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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