Adding a stop is a three-step process: open your route, tap the plus icon between your start and end points, and select the location you want to visit
Google Maps lets you add stops to a route you have already planned. A stop is a place you want to visit on the way to your final destination — a grocery store, a gas station, a friend's house. You can add up to nine stops on one route, and you can add them before you start driving or while you are already on the road.
The process works the same way on Android phones, iPhones, and computers. The button you are looking for is a plus sign that appears between your starting point and your destination.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to nine stops to a single route in Google Maps, and the order matters — the app will route you through them in the order you add them.
- On a phone, tap the plus icon between your start and end points; on a computer, click the same plus icon in the directions panel on the left side of the screen.
- You can search for a stop by name, address, or category (like "gas station" or "coffee"), or tap a location directly on the map.
- If you add stops while already driving, Google Maps will recalculate your route to include them, and you can reorder stops by dragging them up or down in the list.
How to add a stop on your phone
Start by opening Google Maps and entering your destination. Tap "Directions" at the bottom of the screen, then tap the blue "Start" button to begin navigation or to see your full route. You will see your starting point at the top, your destination at the bottom, and a plus icon in between them.
Tap that plus icon. A search box will appear. You can type the name of a place ("Starbucks"), an address, or a category ("gas station"). As you type, Google Maps will show you nearby options. Tap the one you want to visit. The stop will appear in your route list, and Google Maps will recalculate your total travel time to include it.
If you want to add another stop, tap the plus icon again. You can repeat this up to nine stops total. The order matters — Google Maps will route you through them in the order they appear in your list, not in the order that would be fastest.
How to add a stop on your computer
Open Google Maps in your web browser and enter your starting point and destination. Click "Directions" to see the route. On the left side of the screen, you will see a panel with your start point and destination listed. Between them is a plus icon.
Click that plus icon. A search box will appear. Type the name, address, or category of the place you want to visit. Google Maps will show you options. Click the one you want. The stop will be added to your route, and the map will update to show the new path.
You can add up to nine stops this way. If you want to reorder them, click and drag any stop up or down in the list on the left side.
Reordering stops and removing them
If you add stops in the wrong order, you can fix it. On your phone, press and hold the stop you want to move, then drag it up or down in the list. On your computer, click and drag the stop to a new position. Google Maps will recalculate the route each time you move a stop.
To remove a stop, swipe left on it (on a phone) or click the X next to it (on a computer). The route will recalculate without that stop.
Adding stops while you are already driving
You do not have to add all your stops before you leave. If you are already following a route and want to add a stop, tap the plus icon that appears in your navigation screen. Search for the place you want to visit, tap it, and Google Maps will add it to your route and recalculate your path.
The new stop will be inserted in the order that makes sense for your current location — usually as the next stop after where you are now. You can still reorder it if you want to visit it later in your trip instead.
What happens when you add a stop
When you add a stop, Google Maps does three things: it adds the location to your route list, it recalculates the total distance and time for your entire trip, and it updates the map to show the new path. The time estimate includes the time to reach each stop and then reach your final destination.
If traffic changes while you are driving, Google Maps will recalculate your route again, but your stops will stay in place. The app will not remove a stop or change its order on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more than nine stops?
No. Google Maps limits you to nine stops on a single route. If you need to visit more than nine places, you can create a second route after you finish the first one, or you can use Google Maps' "My Places" or "Saved" lists to organize locations and navigate to them one at a time.
Will Google Maps route me through stops in the fastest order?
No. Google Maps routes you through stops in the order you add them, not in the order that would save the most time. If you want the fastest route, you will need to reorder your stops yourself. Some third-party apps like Routific or OptimoRoute can calculate the fastest order for you, but Google Maps does not.
What if I miss a stop?
If you pass a stop without visiting it, Google Maps will not automatically remove it from your route. You can remove it manually by swiping left on it (phone) or clicking the X next to it (computer). The app will then recalculate your route to your final destination.
Can I save a route with stops?
Google Maps does not save routes with stops built in. However, you can save individual locations to your "Saved" list or create a custom map and add multiple locations to it. When you open that custom map later, you can navigate to each location one at a time.