You can change your route on Google Maps by tapping the route line itself, dragging it to a new path, or selecting an alternate route that Google suggests

Google Maps shows you one main route when you search for directions, but that route is not locked in. You can bend it to avoid traffic, take a scenic detour, or steer clear of roads you prefer not to use. The method depends on whether you want to drag the route with your finger, choose from routes Google already calculated, or add a specific stop along the way.

The simplest change takes three taps. The fastest alternative routes take one. Dragging a route to reshape it works on phones and tablets but not on a computer — the desktop version of Google Maps does not support that feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the thick blue route line on your map to see alternate routes Google has already calculated for you.
  • Drag the route line with your finger to reshape it and force Google Maps to recalculate around your new path.
  • Add stops by tapping the plus icon or saying "add a stop" to your phone, which lets you pass through specific places without changing the main route.
  • Avoid entire roads by long-pressing them and selecting "avoid this road," which rebuilds your route to skip that street.
  • On a computer, you can only choose from Google's suggested alternate routes — you cannot drag and reshape the route yourself.

Selecting an alternate route Google suggests

When you enter a destination and Google Maps calculates directions, it shows you the fastest route in thick blue. Below or beside that route, you will see one or two lighter-colored alternatives. These are routes Google has already worked out — they take longer but may avoid traffic, tolls, or highways depending on your settings.

Tap any of the lighter routes to switch to it. The map redraws, and that route becomes your new primary direction. On a phone, the alternate routes appear as thin lines on the map itself. On a computer, they are listed below the main route with their travel times shown next to them.

This is the fastest way to change course if one of Google's suggestions already matches what you want. If none of them do, you will need to drag the route or add stops.

Dragging your route to reshape it

On a phone or tablet, you can grab the blue route line and drag it to a new location. Google Maps will recalculate the entire route to pass through the point where you dragged it. This works when you want to go through a neighborhood, avoid a specific area, or take a longer but more scenic path.

Tap and hold the blue route line — not at the start or end point, but somewhere in the middle of the route. Your finger will grab the line, and a small circle will appear where you are touching it. Drag your finger to move that circle to a new spot on the map. When you release, Google Maps rebuilds the route to pass through that location.

The new route will be longer than the original because you are forcing it through a point it would not normally choose. If you drag it to a location very far from the original path, Google may show you a warning that the detour is significant. You can still accept it by tapping the checkmark or close the change by tapping the X.

Adding stops without changing the main route

If you need to pass through a specific place — a gas station, a friend's house, a coffee shop — you can add it as a stop rather than reshaping the entire route. This keeps your main direction intact and just inserts the stop in the order that makes sense.

Tap the plus icon that appears near the top of the directions panel. A search box will open. Type the name or address of the place you want to add. When it appears in the results, tap it. Google Maps will insert it into your route and recalculate the order of stops if you have more than one.

You can also say "add a stop" to your phone if you have voice commands turned on. On a computer, click the plus icon next to the destination field to add a stop the same way.

Avoiding specific roads entirely

If there is a particular street or highway you do not want to use — because of construction, a road you dislike, or a neighborhood you prefer to skip — you can tell Google Maps to avoid it. The app will rebuild your route to skip that road completely.

Long-press (press and hold) the road or highway you want to avoid. A menu will pop up with the option "Avoid this road." Tap it. Google Maps recalculates your route to skip that street. The new route appears on the map, and the road you avoided is marked with a line through it.

You can avoid multiple roads at once. Each one you add will be skipped in the next recalculation. To remove an avoided road, long-press it again and tap "Don't avoid this road."

Changing routes on a computer

On a desktop or laptop, you cannot drag the route line the way you can on a phone. Instead, you are limited to choosing from the alternate routes Google has already calculated. Click any of the lighter-colored routes shown on the map or listed below the main route, and it becomes your new primary direction.

You can still add stops by clicking the plus icon next to the destination field. You can also avoid roads by right-clicking them and selecting "Avoid this road" from the menu. The route will recalculate to skip that street.

If you need more control over your route on a computer, you can add multiple stops in the order you want to visit them. This gives you more influence over the path Google chooses, though it still calculates the most efficient order for those stops.

What happens when you change your route

Every time you modify your route — whether by dragging, selecting an alternate, or adding a stop — Google Maps recalculates the travel time and distance. The new numbers appear at the top of the directions panel. If you have turned on traffic information, Google also shows you where congestion is on your new route.

Your changes stay in place until you close the directions or start a new search. If you want to go back to the original route, tap the original route line again (if it is still visible) or clear the directions and search for the destination again.

If you are actively navigating — meaning the turn-by-turn directions are running — changing your route will update the navigation when ready. Google will start giving you new turn-by-turn instructions for the modified path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a custom route I created?

Google Maps does not save custom routes you drag or modify. However, you can save the destination itself by starring it, or you can create a list of places and let Google calculate the best order to visit them. If you want to remember a specific path, take a screenshot or write down the street names.

Why does Google Maps keep suggesting the same route even after I avoid a road?

If you avoided a road but Google still shows it as an option, the app may have recalculated and found that the avoided road is still faster than the alternative, even with the detour. You can avoid it again, or you can choose a different alternate route manually.

Does dragging my route use more data?

No. Dragging your route and recalculating it uses the same amount of data as any other direction search. The recalculation happens on Google's servers, not on your phone, so the data use is minimal either way.

Can I modify my route while I am actively navigating?

Yes. You can add stops, avoid roads, or select alternate routes while turn-by-turn navigation is running. Google Maps will update your directions when ready and tell you the new arrival time.

What is the difference between adding a stop and dragging the route?

Adding a stop inserts a destination you want to visit, and Google calculates the best way to reach it. Dragging the route forces Google to pass through a specific point on the map without making it an official destination. Use stops for places you need to go; use dragging to reshape the path itself.