Adding stops turns a point-to-point route into a multi-destination trip
Google Maps lets you add up to 9 stops between your starting point and destination. When you add a stop, Google recalculates the route to include that location, and you can reorder the stops any way you want. This is useful for errands, deliveries, or any trip where you need to visit multiple places in a specific order.
The process works the same on phone and computer, though the buttons look slightly different. You start with a route already planned — from your current location to somewhere else — then insert additional stops along the way.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to 9 stops to a single route in Google Maps on both Android and iPhone.
- Stops are added by tapping or clicking the plus icon that appears between your starting point and destination.
- You can drag stops up and down to change the order Google will navigate them in.
- Google Maps will recalculate the total distance and time each time you add or reorder a stop.
How to add a stop on your phone
Open Google Maps and search for a destination or tap on a location on the map. Tap the blue "Directions" button at the bottom. This creates a route from your current location to that place.
You will see your starting point at the top, your destination at the bottom, and a plus sign icon between them. Tap that plus sign. A search box will appear where you can type the name of a place, an address, or a business. Type what you want to add and tap it from the suggestions that appear.
The new stop now appears between your start and destination. Google recalculates the route and shows you the new total time and distance. If you want to add another stop, tap the plus sign again — it will appear between your last stop and your final destination.
How to add a stop on your computer
Go to Google Maps in your web browser. Search for a destination or click on a location on the map. Click the blue "Directions" button. You will see your starting point and destination listed on the left side of the screen.
Between the two locations, you will see a plus sign. Click it. A new search box appears. Type the address, business name, or place you want to add. Click it from the dropdown suggestions.
The stop is now inserted into your route. You can add up to 9 stops total. Each time you add one, Google recalculates the route and updates the total distance and estimated travel time on the left side of the screen.
Changing the order of your stops
On your phone, press and hold the stop you want to move — it will highlight. Drag it up or down to a new position in the list. Release it when it is where you want it. Google when ready recalculates the route based on the new order.
On your computer, click and drag the stop by the six-dot handle icon on its left side. Drag it above or below other stops to reorder them. The route updates as soon as you drop it in its new position.
Reordering matters because Google navigates the stops in the order they appear in your list. If you want to visit them in a different sequence, moving them changes which one comes next.
Removing a stop from your route
On your phone, swipe left on the stop you want to remove. An X or trash icon will appear. Tap it. The stop disappears and the route recalculates.
On your computer, hover over the stop and click the X icon that appears on its right side. The stop is removed and the route updates when ready.
What happens when you start navigating with multiple stops
Once you have added all your stops and ordered them the way you want, tap or click "Start" to begin turn-by-turn navigation. Google will guide you to the first stop. When you arrive, it will notify you and then begin guiding you to the next stop on your list.
You can still add, remove, or reorder stops while you are navigating. The changes take effect when ready, and Google will recalculate your route from your current location to the remaining stops.
Limits and things to know
Google Maps allows a maximum of 9 stops per route. If you need to visit more than 10 locations total (including your start and end points), you will need to create a second route after you finish the first one.
Google does not automatically optimize the order of your stops for the shortest distance or fastest time — it navigates them in the order you list them. If you want to visit stops in the most efficient order, you may need to experiment by dragging them around and watching how the total time changes.
Stops work the same whether you are driving, walking, or using transit. The route type (car, bike, pedestrian, or public transportation) is set separately from the stops themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save a route with multiple stops?
Google Maps does not save multi-stop routes the way it saves single destinations. However, you can share a route by tapping or clicking the share icon, which creates a link someone else can open. You can also take a screenshot of your stops list for your own reference.
What if I want Google to find the fastest order for my stops?
Google Maps does not have a built-in optimize feature. You can manually test different orders by dragging stops around and watching the total time change. For complex routes with many stops, third-party apps like Route4Me or Routific offer automatic optimization, but Google Maps itself requires manual reordering.
Do stops work on Google Maps offline?
You can view a route with stops that you created while online, but you cannot add new stops or search for locations when offline. read your map area in advance if you know you will not have internet during your trip.
Can I add a stop that is not a named place?
Yes. You can type an address, coordinates, or intersection into the search box. Google will place a stop at that exact location even if it is not a business or landmark.