Creating a route in Google Maps takes three steps: open the app, enter a destination, and choose your route
A route in Google Maps is the path the app calculates between where you are now and where you want to go. Google Maps shows you the fastest route by default, but you can switch to other options — the shortest distance, the route with the fewest tolls, or a route that avoids highways. Once you create a route, you can save it, share it with someone else, or add stops along the way.
The steps are the same whether you are using Google Maps on your phone, tablet, or computer. The app works offline too, though you need to read the map area first.
Key Takeaways
- Open Google Maps, tap or click the search bar, type your destination, and tap the blue "Directions" button to create a route.
- Google Maps shows the fastest route first, but you can tap the time or distance at the top to see other options like shortest distance or fewest tolls.
- You can add stops by tapping the plus icon between your starting point and destination, useful for errands or multi-stop trips.
- Saving a route requires tapping the three-dot menu and selecting "Save this route" — the route then appears in your "Saved" section.
- Sharing a route means tapping the share icon and choosing how to send it: text, email, or a link that opens in the recipient's Google Maps.
How to enter a destination and see your route
Open Google Maps on your phone, tablet, or computer. At the top, you will see a search bar. Tap or click it and type the address or name of the place you want to go — a street address, a business name, a landmark, or even a general area like "coffee shops near me."
As you type, Google Maps shows suggestions below the search bar. Tap or click the one you want. The map will zoom to that location, and a card will appear at the bottom (on phone) or the right side (on computer) showing the address and a blue "Directions" button.
Tap or click "Directions." Google Maps will now show you a route from your current location to the destination. The route appears as a blue line on the map. At the top, you will see the estimated travel time and distance, plus the name of the main road or highway you will use.
Choosing between different route options
Google Maps calculates several routes and shows you the fastest one first. To see the other options, tap or click the travel time or distance shown at the top of the directions card. A list will appear showing two to four different routes, each with its own travel time and distance.
The routes are labeled by method: "Fastest," "Shortest," or "Avoid tolls" depending on what Google Maps has calculated. Tap or click any route to see it highlighted on the map. The turn-by-turn directions below will update to match the route you selected.
On your phone, you can also tap the three-dot menu icon next to a route to see more details, such as which highways it uses or whether it includes tolls. This is useful if you want to avoid certain roads or know the cost before you start driving.
Adding stops along your route
If you need to stop at more than one place — a grocery store, a gas station, a friend's house — you can add stops to your route without losing your main destination. Look for the plus icon between your starting point and your destination in the directions card. Tap or click it.
A new search bar will appear. Type the address or name of the place where you want to stop. Tap or click it from the suggestions. Google Maps will now show a route that goes through that stop and then continues to your final destination. The directions card will show all the stops in order, with the distance and time for each leg of the trip.
You can add as many stops as you need by tapping the plus icon again. To remove a stop, tap or click the X next to it in the directions card. You can also reorder stops by dragging them up or down in the list.
Saving a route for later
Once you have created a route you want to keep, you can save it so you do not have to enter the destination again next time. Tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the directions card (on phone, this is at the bottom right; on computer, it is at the top right of the directions panel).
A menu will appear with several options. Tap or click "Save this route." The route will be added to your "Saved" section in Google Maps. To find it later, tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left, then tap or click "Saved." Your saved routes appear under the "Routes" tab.
Saving is useful for trips you take regularly — your commute to work, the route to your gym, or directions to a place you visit often. You can save as many routes as you want.
Sharing a route with someone else
You can send a route to another person so they can see it in their own Google Maps. Tap or click the share icon in the directions card — it looks like an arrow pointing outward. A menu will appear with options for how to share: text message, email, a link, or other apps on your phone.
Choose the method you want to use. If you select "Link," Google Maps will create a shareable link that you can copy and paste anywhere — a text message, an email, or a chat app. When the other person opens the link, it will open Google Maps and show them the same route you created.
The person you share with can then follow the route, modify it, or save it themselves. They do not need to be your contact or have you in their phone — the link works for anyone you send it to.
Troubleshooting routes that do not appear or update
If you enter a destination but no route appears, check that location services are turned on. Google Maps needs to know where you are to calculate a route from your current location. If location services are off, Google Maps will ask you to turn them on before showing directions.
If the route updates unexpectedly while you are driving, Google Maps is recalculating based on traffic. The app watches real-time traffic conditions and will suggest a faster route if one becomes available. You can ignore the suggestion and stick with your current route, or tap it to switch.
If you are offline and the map area is not downloaded, Google Maps will not show a route. read the map area while you have internet, then you can create routes offline. Open the menu, tap "Offline maps," and follow the steps to read the area you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a route without turning on location services?
No. Google Maps needs to know your current location to calculate a route from where you are. If you turn off location services, you can still search for places and view the map, but you cannot get directions. You can turn location services back on just for Google Maps without turning it on for other apps.
What is the difference between the fastest route and the shortest route?
The fastest route takes the least time, even if it is longer in distance — it usually uses highways or major roads. The shortest route covers the least distance, even if it takes longer — it often uses smaller streets. Which one is better depends on whether you care more about time or fuel cost.
Can I change my destination after I start following a route?
Yes. Tap the search bar at the top of the directions card and enter a new destination. Google Maps will calculate a new route from your current location to the new destination. Your old destination is replaced.
Do I need internet to use a route I created?
You need internet to create the route, but once it is created, you can follow it offline if you downloaded the map area first. However, real-time traffic updates and the ability to recalculate will not work without internet.
Can I print a route from Google Maps?
On a computer, open the route and tap the three-dot menu, then select "Print." On a phone, take a screenshot of the directions or use your phone's print function. Some phones also let you print directly from Google Maps through the share menu.