Google Maps knows the fastest route to almost anywhere on Earth. But what if you have more than one place to visit? Perhaps you’re a delivery driver who must cover several locations on a single ride. Organizing your road trips with multiple stops in Google Maps can help you save time and energy. So, instead of choosing a new destination at every stop, the app automatically reroutes to your next destination.
Here’s how to add multiple location stops in Maps from yourpocket-friendly Android phones, tablets, and computers. And if you prefer it over Apple Maps on your iPhone,make Google Maps your default navigator.
How to set your commute in Google Maps
Get to work on time and avoid rush hour with Google Maps’s commute feature
How multiple stops work in Google Maps
You can add up to nine destinations on the Google Maps app or website. You’ll receive directions based on your order of arrangement, and the travel time will be estimated in real time based on your mode of transportation. While you can’t add multiple destinations on public transport, you always have access to a handful of your favorite apps, including Phone, Messages, and Media.
Once you start your trip, the app uses turn-by-turn directions to guide you to your destination. you’re able to add to and rearrange your destinations if you need to make an unplanned stop.Sharing your location and directionswith third parties is also an option if you want them to monitor your movements.
Google Maps doesn’t offer route optimization when using multiple stops, so it’s best to rearrange destinations according to the order of importance or closeness (more on that later). However, you can plan your trips to avoid tolls, ferries, and highways so that Maps can choose the best route without them.
Turn-by-turn direction isn’t available on the web version. You can only create multiple destinations and send the directions to your phone. If your stops include new routes or addresses that are typically hard to find,drop a pin in Mapsto spot them easily in the future. When it’s all clicked, you can save your multi-stop route and reuse it in the future.
How to add multiple stops to your Google Maps itinerary
While you can create multiple Google Maps routes on the web and mobile app, the web version will eventually direct you to the app. So, it’s best to use the app instead. The web page doesn’t give you turn-by-turn navigation, but you can create stops and send them to your phone for directions. You’ll need to sign in to your account for this trick work. Also, the website version may not detect your location if you access it with a phone, even though it is turned on from your device’s or browser’s settings menu.
Add multiple stops in the Google Maps app for Android and iOS
Considerdownloading Google Maps offlineto avoid getting stranded with possible poor network coverage along your route.
Add multiple stops in Google Maps on the website
How to optimize your multi-stop route in Google Maps
Though Google Maps doesn’t offer route optimizations when using multiple stops, you may manually optimize them for the most efficient route. Maps will label your stops asA,B,C…, andHaccording to your number of stops and order of arrangement, so it’s easier to reorder them efficiently. For instance, if you’ll reach destinationFbeforeC,drag the former up. Repeat the same trick until you have an optimized route.
If you own a delivery business and use Google Maps to plan your delivery routes, optimizing it beforehand will help you save fuel and time in the long run.
Google Maps can also search for highways, ferries, and tolls to avoid them as much as possible. But you must activate the feature first, as it doesn’t happen automatically when you create multiple destinations.
Optimize multi-stop routes in Google Maps on the mobile app
Alternatively, you can activate these optimized route options from the Maps settings menu:
Optimize multi-stop routes in Google Maps on the website
How to save multi-stop route for later use in Google Maps
Route planning and optimization in Google Maps can be exhausting. But you may save multiple stops as a shortcut on your phone’s homescreen for later use. This trick isn’t available on the web version.
Depending on yourAndroid phone launcher, you can change the multi-stop shortcut title and icon on your home screen.
The Multiple Stops feature isn’t perfect yet
Google Maps' multiple stops feature is ideal for planning short trips with no more than nine destinations, which may not be the best solution if you deliver numerous customer orders. The absence of route optimization is also a big deal when you have to run time-sensitive errands. For better optimization, look into othermaps and navigation appsas an alternative to Google Maps.
