Change your route before you start driving

Google Maps shows you one route by default, but you can see other options and pick a different one before you leave. On your phone or computer, open Google Maps, enter your destination, and tap or click the blue "Directions" button. Google will show your fastest route first, but you'll see one or two alternatives listed below it — tap or click any of them to switch.

The alternatives appear as gray lines on the map. Each one shows how much longer it will take compared to the fastest route. If traffic is heavy on the main route, Google often suggests a faster back-road option automatically. You can switch between them as many times as you want before you start moving — once navigation begins, changing routes becomes harder because the app is actively tracking your position.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap or click any gray route line on the map to switch to a different path before you start driving.
  • Google shows travel time for each route so you can compare the fastest option against alternatives that might avoid highways or tolls.
  • On your phone, swipe up on the route details to see all available options, not just the top two.
  • Once navigation has started and you're moving, Google will reroute you automatically if traffic changes, but you can also manually select a new route from the list at the bottom of the screen.
  • On a computer, you cannot change routes while actively navigating — plan your route before you leave or stop navigation and restart it with a new selection.

See all available routes on your phone

When you request directions on an Android or iPhone, Google usually shows only two or three route options on the map. To see every alternative Google has calculated, swipe up on the white box at the bottom of your screen that shows the travel time and distance. This reveals a full list of all available routes ranked by speed.

Each route in the list shows the estimated time, distance, and any tolls you'll encounter. Tap any route to highlight it on the map in gray so you can see exactly where it goes before you commit to it. This is especially useful if you want to avoid highways, toll roads, or specific neighborhoods — you can browse the options and pick the one that matches what you actually want to drive, not just what's fastest.

Choose a route on your computer

On a desktop or laptop, enter your starting point and destination, then click the blue "Directions" button. Google displays the fastest route in blue and shows one or two alternatives in gray below it. Click any gray route to make it your primary route — it will turn blue and the details panel on the left will update to show that route's time and distance.

If you don't see enough alternatives, scroll down in the left panel under the route details. Google sometimes lists additional options there that aren't when ready visible on the map. You can compare all of them before you start, and you can change your mind as many times as you need. Once you close the directions panel or minimize the window, your selection is saved.

Change your route while you're already driving

If you've already started navigation and want to switch routes, look at the bottom of your phone screen. You'll see a white bar showing your current route and estimated arrival time. Tap it to expand the route details, and you should see one or two alternative routes listed below your current path. Tap any alternative to switch to it when ready.

Google Maps also reroutes you automatically if traffic conditions change significantly. You'll see a notification at the top of the screen saying "Faster route available" with a new time estimate. Tap that notification to accept the new route, or ignore it and keep going the way you're headed. This automatic rerouting happens in the background — you don't have to do anything unless you want to take the faster option.

Avoid specific roads or features

If you want Google to avoid certain types of roads entirely, tap the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) at the top left of the screen on your phone, then select "Settings." Scroll down to "Navigation settings" and toggle on "Avoid tolls," "Avoid highways," or "Avoid ferries" depending on what you want to skip. These settings explore to all your routes going forward until you turn them back off.

On a computer, click the three-line menu, go to "Settings," then find "Directions preferences." Check the boxes for tolls, highways, or ferries you want to avoid. These preferences save to your Google account, so they'll explore on your phone too if you're signed in. Keep in mind that avoiding highways or tolls might add significant time to your trip, especially in rural areas where few alternatives exist.

Understand why Google suggests certain routes

Google ranks routes primarily by travel time, not distance. A route that's longer in miles might be faster because it has fewer traffic lights or less congestion. The app uses real-time traffic data from other drivers, historical patterns for that time of day, and road conditions to predict which path will get you there quickest. This is why the fastest route sometimes changes throughout the day.

The alternatives Google shows you are genuinely different paths, not minor variations. One might use highways while another uses surface streets. One might go around the north side of a city while another goes south. Google calculates several distinct options and shows you the ones most likely to be useful — very slow routes or ones that backtrack don't appear in the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Google Maps avoid a specific street or intersection?

Not directly through the app settings. You can only avoid entire categories like tolls or highways. If you need to avoid one specific road, select a different route from the alternatives list — Google's options usually cover different paths through the same area, so one of them should skip the street you want to avoid.

Why does Google show me a route I don't want?

Google ranks routes by speed, not by what you prefer. If the fastest route goes through downtown traffic and you'd rather take the highway, that's a choice you have to make manually by tapping the alternative. Your preference doesn't change the calculation — you have to override it each time you navigate.

Will Google reroute me if I miss a turn?

Yes. If you drive past a turn or take a wrong street, Google detects that you've left the route and automatically recalculates from your current position. You'll hear a notification sound and see a new route appear on the screen. The app assumes you made a mistake and finds the fastest way to get you back on track.

Can I save a route to use later?

Google Maps doesn't have a "save this route" feature, but you can save your destination as a starred place. Open the destination details and tap the star icon to save it. Next time you navigate there, Google will remember the location, though you'll still need to choose your route the same way.

What's the difference between the blue and gray routes?

Blue is your currently selected route — the one Google will navigate you on. Gray routes are alternatives you can tap to switch to. The color change is just visual feedback showing which route is active. All the routes shown are real options Google calculated for you.