Google Maps Trip Planner: Step-by-Step Guide

Google Maps Trip Planner helps you map out multi-stop routes, estimate travel times, and share your itinerary—all within the familiar Google Maps interface. You can plan a road trip, a delivery route, or a day of errands, and then send the route to your phone for turn-by-turn navigation. All you need is a Google account and access to Google Maps on a computer or mobile device.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account (free)
• Google Maps on a computer (browser) or mobile device (Android/iOS app)
• Your starting point and destination addresses or names of places
• Optional: a list of stops you want to add along the way

Step-by-Step

1. Open Google Maps. Go to maps.google.com in your browser, or open the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet.
2. Get directions. Click the blue “Directions” button (the arrow icon) in the search bar area. On mobile, it’s usually a separate button near the bottom-right.
3. Enter your starting point and destination. In the “Choose starting point” field, type your origin. In the “Choose destination” field, type your final destination. You can use an address, a place name, or even click directly on the map.
4. Add stops to your route. On the left sidebar (desktop) or the bottom sheet (mobile), click “Add destination” or the “+” icon. Type or select each stop you want to include. Repeat to add up to 9 stops total (including your origin and final destination).
5. Reorder your stops. Drag the stops up or down in the list to change the order. Google Maps will recalculate the route and travel time each time you reorder. On mobile, press and hold the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) next to a stop to drag it.
6. Choose your mode of transportation. Click the car, public transit, walking, biking, or flight icon at the top of the directions panel. The route and time will update accordingly.
7. Review the route and alternative options. Google Maps shows the fastest route by default, but you can click on other gray lines on the map to see alternative routes. Click one to select it.
8. Send the route to your phone (optional). On desktop, click the “Send to your phone” link (usually a small phone icon) in the directions panel. Choose your device, and the route will appear in the Google Maps app on your phone.
9. Start navigation. On mobile, tap “Start” to begin turn-by-turn navigation. On desktop, you can preview the route but will need to send it to your phone for live navigation.
10. Save or share your trip. To save the route for later, click the “Share” button and copy the link, or click the “Pin” icon to save it to your saved places. You can also send the route to another person via email or messaging.

Common Mistakes

• Not adding stops in the right order. If you add stops in the order you think of them, the route may be inefficient. Always reorder them to match the actual sequence you’ll travel.
• Using the mobile app for complex planning. The mobile app is great for quick routes, but the desktop version gives you a larger view and easier drag-and-drop reordering. Use a computer for trips with many stops.
• Ignoring traffic conditions. Google Maps estimates travel time based on current traffic, but that can change. Check the route again just before you leave, and be ready for delays.
• Forgetting to choose a route option. If you just look at the default route, you might miss a faster or more scenic alternative. Click on the gray lines to see other options.
• Assuming the route is optimized. Google Maps does not automatically optimize the order of your stops for the shortest total distance. You have to reorder them manually.

Tips

• Use the “Add destination” feature to plan a day trip. You can add coffee shops, gas stations, and sightseeing spots all in one route.
• Drag the route line on the map. If you want to avoid a particular road or area, click and drag the blue route line to a different road. Google Maps will reroute through that point.
• Check the “Depart at” or “Arrive by” feature. On desktop, click the three-dot menu in the directions panel and select “Set depart or arrive time” to see the best time to leave based on typical traffic.
• Save your route as a list. On mobile, you can save your stops to a list (e.g., “Road Trip 2024”) for easy access later.
• Use voice search to add stops while driving. In the mobile app, say “Hey Google, add a gas station” to add a stop hands-free.
• Download offline maps if you’ll be in an area with poor cell service. In the app, search for the area, tap “Download” to save it for offline use.

Troubleshooting

• Stops are not showing up on the map. Make sure you’ve actually added them in the directions panel, not just searched for them. If they’re still missing, try refreshing the page or restarting the app.
• The route won’t reorder. On desktop, make sure you’re dragging the stop by its name, not the map pin. On mobile, use the hamburger icon next to the stop.
• Travel time seems too long. Check for traffic incidents, road closures, or construction. Try an alternative route by clicking on a gray line, or set a different departure time.
• Can’t add more than 10 stops. Google Maps has a limit of 10 stops (including the start and end). If you need more, split your trip into multiple routes or use a dedicated trip planner like My Maps.
• Route not sending to phone. Make sure you’re signed into the same Google account on both devices, and that your phone has the Google Maps app installed and notifications enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stops can I add in Google Maps?

You can add up to 10 stops total, including your starting point and final destination. That means you can have 8 intermediate stops.

Can I use Google Maps Trip Planner offline?

Yes, you can download offline maps for a specific area, but you won’t get live traffic updates or dynamic rerouting. You can still view the route and use turn-by-turn navigation if the entire route is within the downloaded area.

Does Google Maps optimize the order of my stops?

No, it does not automatically reorder stops. You must drag them into the order you want. However, if you use Google Maps on the web and click “Optimize order” (in some regions), it may reorder them for you.

Can I share my planned route with someone else?

Yes, click the “Share” button in the directions panel and copy the link. Anyone with the link can view the route, but they may not be able to edit it unless you share it via a collaborative list.

Why does my route change when I add a stop?

Adding a stop changes the route because Google Maps recalculates the fastest path that includes all the stops in the order you’ve set. That’s why it’s important to reorder stops after adding them.

Can I use the Trip Planner for public transit or walking?

Yes, you can switch the transportation mode to public transit, walking, or biking. The planner will show you the best options for that mode, including transit schedules and walking paths.

Related

• Microsoft Laptop vs MacBook: Key Differences
• BioShock Co-Op: Supported Modes & PC Settings
• Fix Windows 10 Troubleshooter Not Working