You can change your route three ways: tap a suggested alternate route before you start, drag the blue line to a new road while navigating, or search for a waypoint to add a stop

Google Maps shows you one main route when you search for directions, but it almost always has alternatives ready. The fastest way to pick a different route is to look at the gray lines on the map before you tap "Start" — those are alternates, and tapping one switches to it. Once you are already navigating, you can drag the blue route line to steer through a different neighborhood, or you can add a waypoint (a stop along the way) to force the route through a specific place. The method you use depends on whether you know where you want to go or just want to avoid traffic on the current road.

Each method takes less than a minute and does not require you to stop or restart navigation. Google Maps updates its route suggestions every few minutes based on live traffic, so even if you do not change anything, the app may offer you a faster option while you are driving. You stay in control of which route you actually take.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap any gray line on the map before you start navigating to switch to a different suggested route without opening a menu.
  • Once navigation is running, press the three-dot menu at the top right and select "Route options" to see all available alternatives at once.
  • Drag the blue route line directly on the map to force Google Maps through a specific street or neighborhood you prefer.
  • Add a waypoint by tapping the plus icon during navigation, then search for a location — the route will recalculate to go through that stop first.
  • On iPhone, swipe up on the bottom card to reveal the full list of alternate routes; on Android, the routes appear as gray lines you can tap directly.

Switching to a suggested alternate route before you start

When you search for directions in Google Maps, the app calculates several routes and shows you the fastest one in blue. The other options appear as thin gray lines on the map. On Android, you can tap any gray line to switch to it when ready. On iPhone, swipe up on the bottom card (the one showing your current route and time) to see a list of all routes ranked by time, then tap the one you want.

This is the simplest method if you already know roughly which way you prefer to go. You do not have to open any menu or type anything — just look at the map and tap. Google ranks the alternatives by speed, so the first gray option is usually only a few minutes slower than the blue one. If you want to see why the app is suggesting each route, look at the small text under each option on the list — it often says "via [highway name]" or "avoids traffic" to explain the difference.

Changing your route while you are already navigating

If you have already tapped "Start" and are following directions, you can still change routes. On Android, tap the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top right of the screen and select "Route options." This opens a list of all available alternatives. On iPhone, swipe up on the bottom card to reveal the same list. Tap whichever route you want, and Google Maps will recalculate and guide you onto it when ready.

The routes available while navigating are the same ones you saw before you started, but Google updates them every few minutes based on live traffic. If traffic has gotten worse on your current route, a previously slower option might now be faster. The app will sometimes notify you with a banner at the bottom saying "Faster route available" — tap it to switch without opening the menu.

Dragging the route line to go through a specific street

If you want to steer Google Maps through a particular road or neighborhood that is not on the current route, you can drag the blue line directly on the map. Press and hold on the route line itself (not on the map background), then drag it toward the street or area you want to use. Google Maps will recalculate the route to include that road and show you the new time estimate.

This method works best when you know a specific street you want to take — for example, to avoid a construction zone you know about, or to pass through a neighborhood where you want to stop. Dragging is faster than adding a waypoint if you just need to nudge the route slightly. If you drag too far or to a place that does not make sense for your destination, Google Maps will snap the route back to a logical path, so you cannot accidentally send yourself in the wrong direction.

Adding a waypoint to force a stop along the way

A waypoint is a location you want to pass through on your way to your final destination. To add one while navigating, tap the plus icon (usually near the top of the screen, or in the bottom card on iPhone). Search for the place you want to stop — a coffee shop, gas station, or any address. Google Maps will insert it into your route and recalculate, showing you the new total time including the stop.

You can add multiple waypoints, and Google Maps will route you through all of them in order. If you add a waypoint that is out of the way, the app will show you the extra time it adds to your trip. You can reorder waypoints by pressing and holding on one in the list and dragging it up or down. To remove a waypoint, tap it in the list and select "Remove."

Why Google Maps might not show the route you want

Sometimes Google Maps will not let you drag the route to a specific street, or it will snap back to the main road even after you drag it. This usually means the app does not think that street is a valid route to your destination — either because it is one-way in the wrong direction, closed to through traffic, or straightforward not connected to the path you are taking. In these cases, adding a waypoint at or near the street you want is more reliable than dragging.

If you are trying to avoid a specific hazard — construction, an accident, or a road you know is bad — and Google Maps is not routing around it, check whether the app has live traffic data for your area. In rural areas or places with fewer users, Google Maps may not know about local problems. You can also try opening the "Layers" menu (the square icon in the top right) and turning on "Traffic" to see if congestion is showing, which might help explain why the app chose its route.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a custom route to use again later?

Google Maps does not save custom routes you create by dragging or adding waypoints. However, you can save your home and work addresses in your profile, and you can save individual places as "Starred" or add them to a list. If you regularly take the same trip with the same stops, the fastest way to recreate it is to add the waypoints again — Google Maps will remember them during that session.

What is the difference between a waypoint and just searching for a new destination?

A waypoint is a stop along the way to your final destination — you keep going to your original endpoint after you pass through it. If you search for a new destination, that becomes your new final destination and you lose the original one. Use waypoints when you want to stop for gas or food but still end up at the same place. Search for a new destination if you change your mind about where you are going.

Why does Google Maps keep switching me back to the original route?

Google Maps recalculates your route every few minutes based on live traffic. If the original route becomes faster again, the app may suggest switching back to it with a banner at the bottom. You can ignore this and stay on your chosen route — the app will not force you to switch. If the route keeps snapping back when you drag it, the street you are trying to use may not be recognized as a valid through-route.

Can I avoid highways or toll roads when I change my route?

Yes. Before you start navigating, tap the three-dot menu and select "Route options" or "Settings." You will see checkboxes for "Avoid tolls," "Avoid highways," and "Avoid ferries." Check the ones you want, and Google Maps will only show you routes that follow those rules. These settings stick until you turn them off, so you do not have to reset them for every trip.

Does dragging my route use more data or battery?

No. Dragging the route line or adding waypoints does not use significantly more data or battery than normal navigation. Google Maps is already downloading traffic data and your location in real time, so recalculating a route uses only a tiny bit more. The bigger drain on battery is keeping your screen on during navigation — that is true no matter which route you choose.