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How to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

This post was originally published on August 8, 2021, and updated on February 16, 2023.

Ready to start planning your road trip using the power of Google Maps?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

Google has two amazing tools to help you plan your road trip: Google Maps and Google My Maps.

Google Maps is a great tool for plotting out your route, while Google My Maps is an amazing tool for road trip planning and organization.

In this post, I’ll teach you how and when to use each of these powerful free tools.

Let’s start by looking at Google Maps since it’s the simpler of the two.

But if you are looking for how to use Google My Maps, then click here .

How to Use Google Maps to Plot Your Road Trip Route

Google Maps is a great tool if you want to plot out your road trip route.

We use it as a starting point for all of our road trip planning to get a sense of how long our trip will be or what we can accomplish in the time we have.

Step 1: Open Google Maps

Start by opening up Google Maps on your desktop or phone.

When trip planning, we like to use our desktop computers to make use of the bigger screen.

Step 2: Plot Your Road Trip Route

To start plotting your road trip route, click on directions.

Then enter your starting point and your first destination.

Continue to add stops to your road trip by clicking on the (+) to add destinations.

Stop when you have all your road trip stops added to your map. Google Maps allows you to add up to 10 points to your map. If you want to add more, then Google My Maps is the tool for you.

Step 3: Reorder Road Trips Stops

If you want to play around with your route and reorder your stops, Google Maps makes it easy to do so.

On the left, where your stops are listed, you can drag and drop the stops to reorder them.

Step 4: Move the Driving Route

Google Maps will choose the fastest route between your road trip stops. But sometimes, there may be a scenic route you want to take.

You can easily move your driving route as desired by dragging and dropping your route.

Step 5: Send the Driving Route to Your Phone

Once you plan your road trip, you can send the directions to your phone for easy access during your trip. Directions can be sent via text message or email.

Note: You will have to have a Google Account to send directions to your phone.

Google Maps is a great starting point for planning a road trip.

But if you want to harness the power of Google and use it to plan your road trip and as a resource throughout your trip, Google My Maps is the choice for you.

Google My Maps: The Best Road Trip Planning Tool

Planning a road trip can be a daunting task. It’s hard to know where to start, and all the research can feel overwhelming. But that is where the ultimate road trip planning tool, Google My Maps, comes to the rescue.

Google My Maps is a very similar tool to traditional Google Maps, but it’s much more powerful and customizable.

In this section, we’ll start with detailed information on the features of Google My Maps. And then, we’ll get into exactly how we use Google My Maps to plan each one of our road trips.

Using this tool will help you seamlessly organize and plan your road trip.

Once we tried it, we never looked back.

Let’s start by giving you a little introduction to Google My Maps.

What is Google My Maps?

Google My Maps utilizes all of the data in Google Maps to allow you to create your very own custom map for your road trip. It’s a way for you to create a map containing the places important to you .

Once you create your map, you can access all of the personalized information you’ve added, so you never miss a beat while on the road.

Why is Google My Maps the Ultimate Road Trip Planning Tool?

Google My Maps is our favorite tool for planning a road trip. Here is why:

• It Helps You Visualize Your Trip Plotting all of your points of interest on a map helps see how your road trip may take shape. At the start of road trip planning, we typically have no idea what route we may take until we see all of the things we want to do on a map. And this is where Google My Maps can help.
• It Helps Organize Your Research When planning a road trip, you are likely gathering information from many sources, including websites, tourist bureaus, and recommendations from friends and family. Google My Maps can help you organize all of your research so you can more easily plan your road trip itinerary.
• It Consolidates Your Entire Itinerary Using Google My Maps allows you to have all of your road trip information in one place. There will be no need for a separate spreadsheet with your day-to-day itinerary or to bring your travel books with you.

What Are the Limitations of Google My Maps?

• Google My Maps Can Not Be Used Offline You will need access to wifi or cellular data to use your map on your road trip. But don’t let that stop you from using it to plan your road trip. There are ways to download your map to other apps for offline use, which I’ll take you through in the tutorial.
• You Can Only Add 2,000 Locations to Your Map Likely, you will not need over 2,000 locations when planning your road trip. And if you do, you can make separate maps, possibly divided by days or weeks, to get around this limitation.
• You Can Only Add 10 Layers to Your Map Layers are ways to categorize your location points. When using Google My Maps, you can only have ten layers per map.
• Planned Routes Can Not Be Accessed for Driving Directions on Google Maps When planning your trip, you may add a direction layer on your map to display the route you plan to take. Unfortunately, you can not use those directions to give you turn-by-turn navigation on your road trip. You’ll have to use Google Maps or click on a destination point on your custom Google My Map to bring up directions. I go through this in detail here .

How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Road Trip

Now that you know why Google My Maps is the best road trip planning tool, let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of Google My Maps.

We’ll start with an in-depth overview and then show you exactly how we use Google My Maps to plan our road trips. Use the screenshots I’ve provided to help guide you through all of the steps.

Overview of Google My Maps

If you want to know how we use Google My Maps to plan our road trips, then feel free to skip down to the step-by-step guide for planning a road trip here .

But if you want to learn the ins and out of Google My Maps, this is where to start.

You can start from the beginning or jump to the section you want to learn more about by clicking on the links below.

Here is what we will cover to familiarize you with how Google My Maps works so you can start road trip planning like a boss.

Google My Maps Layout

• Markers/Locations

Google My Maps allows you to add locations and driving directions to your map while allowing you to organize them as you wish.

To get started, let’s get familiar with the layout of Google My Maps.

I suggest creating your first Google My Map and playing around with the functions of the map to help you get familiar with them.

Note: You must either create a Google Account or sign in to your Google account to start using Google My Maps .

Location Markers

Location markers are points that you add to a map. They can be things like restaurants, hotels, sights-to-see, bathroom stops, etc.

Find things to do along your route with our Favorite Tools to Find Things to Do Along Your Road Trip Route .

Each point you add to a map will include any information that Google already has for that point.

These include things like:

• GPS coordinates
• Website address
• Phone Number

Three Ways to Add Markers to Your Google My Map

You can add markers to your road trip map in three ways:

• Using the search function
• Selecting a Point already on Google Maps to add to your own map
• Add a point manually

Let’s look at how to do all three.

Search Function

You can find a marker by typing in the name, address, or GPS coordinates into the search bar.

Adding a Marker That is Already on Google Maps

Google Maps already has many markers in its database. When you zoom into an area, many points of interest will start to show up. If any of these markers look appealing to you, you can add them to your own map by clicking on them.

Adding a Marker Manually

You may need to add markers manually when you can not find them via the search function and don’t have the location’s GPS coordinates.

For example, sometimes, I struggle to find the exact location of a trailhead via the search bar. In these cases, I find the location of the trailhead via a different resource and plot it on the map myself.

Color Code and Change the Icons of Your Markers

To keep your map organized, you’ll want to customize and color-code your icons to help you group locations together.

Luckily, Google lets you fully customize your markers.

Map layers are a great way to organize your maps.

But before we dive into adding layers, let’s talk about map layers.

What are Map Layers?

A map layer is a set of markers that are layered on top of an existing map. You can see your different layers on the left-hand side of your map.

When you add a marker to a map, Google My Maps will add it to a layer. You can then use these layers to organize your map.

The added marker will appear on the selected layer. If you want to move a marker to a different layer, click and drag that marker to the desired layer.

For example, I made a map of Wisconsin Campgrounds to help me find campgrounds nearby during our road trips.

I have chosen to use separate layers for different types of campgrounds; National Forests, State Parks, and County Parks.

The benefit of using separate layers versus adding all of the campgrounds to a single layer is that I can check and uncheck specific layers depending on what information I want to see on my map.

If I don’t want to see the State Parks on my map, I can uncheck “Wisconsin State Parks,” and they will not be plotted on my map until I recheck the box.

How to Add Layers

Within Google My Maps, you can have up to 10 layers on a single map.

To add layers, click on “add layer” on the left-hand side of your map just below the map title and description.

Google My Maps then adds an “untitled layer” to your map.

To change the title, click on “Untitled layer,” and it will give you the option to rename the layer.

The current layer selected will have a solid vertical blue bar on the left side of the layer panel. Any new markers created will be added to the selected layer.

You can use Google My Maps to plot your driving route. Unfortunately, you can’t use these routes for navigation in Google Maps. This is one of the downfalls of Google My Maps.

But that is not to say that adding driving directions to your Google road trip map isn’t helpful. Adding driving directions helps you visualize your route so you can better understand where you are going while on your road trip. It also will help you figure out how long you can drive in one day .

Here’s how to add and use Directions on your Google Map:

Start by clicking on the direction icon located below the search bar.

You will then continue to add stops along your route to get a visual of your driving route.

Google Maps will default to the quickest route when creating your driving route. The quickest driving route will likely be the main highways and not always the most scenic. Therefore, there may be times you want to deviate from the quickest route and take a more scenic route.

Fortunately, you can adjust your route by dragging it to where you want it to go.

Start by clicking on the route, and a small circle will appear.

Then drag this route to where you want the route to go.

How to Plan a Road Trip with Google My Maps – A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Now that we know the ins and outs of Google My Maps let’s learn how to use it to create your very own customized road trip map.

• Create a New Google Map
• Add Layers for Different Types of Locations
• Add Locations to Your Map
• Plan Your Road Trip Route

Step 1: Create a New Google Map

You will need to sign in to your Google Account or create a new account to create your own Google My Map.

Once you’re logged into Google, follow this link to bring you to Google Maps .

Click on the hamburger ( 𝄘 ) in the top left-hand corner of Google Maps.

Click on “Your Places”.

This brings up any saved information you’ve stored in Google maps, like your favorites

Now it’s time to bring up your very first map.

Click on Maps on the top left →, then click “create map” on the bottom left.

You now have your blank map! 

Give your map a title, and get ready to create your first custom road trip map.

Step 2: Create Layers for Different Types of Markers

I like to start trip planning by creating different layers for the types of markers I plan to add to my map.

The layers I typically use are: – Places to Sleep – Places to Eat – Places to Drink – Things to Do

You can always add layers while you plan. But I find it easier to stay organized if I start with some layers on my map before adding locations.

Step 3. Add Markers to Your Map

This is the best part of planning your road trip with Google My Maps.

Whether you are in your brainstorming stage of travel prep or you already know where you want to go, this step is where your trip starts to come together. 

To start, you’ll research your destinations to find markers to add to your map.

I like to use the following resources for trip research:

• Google: Search for things to do, places to eat, places to stay, etc., in the areas you plan to visit or pass through
• Visitor Centers: Find tourism information online or request info from your destinations’ tourism bureaus to be mailed to you
• Travel books: We like to get ours from the library
• Facebook groups: Join a Facebook Group for the area you are traveling to. They are filled with tons of suggestions on the best things to do in the area.

When you find a location you want to make note of, add it to your map.

Do this by entering it into the search bar.

The great thing about Google Maps is that it pulls up all of the information on a location that Google has. If available, you can find the exact address, reviews, and website address. 

If the location looks good, you can then add it as a marker to your map by clicking “add to map”.

Once added to your map, you can customize your marker by changing your icon’s color and/or shape by clicking on the paint bucket icon labeled “style”.

I like picking a specific color and icon for each marker category. For example, my “restaurants” may all be blue with a fork and spoon icon, while my “sights to see” will be yellow with a binocular icon.

One of my favorite features of Google My Maps is that I can add my own info to the marker. Typically, this info comes from the research I’ve done on the location. If I found a blog post recommending a specific restaurant, I’ll add that to the marker, so I have that info at my fingertips when we are on the road.

Add any info you want to your marker and click save.

Your marker will now be added to your map.

You can see your marker in two places: one on the map and the other in the layer it was added to in the layers menu on the left-hand side of the screen.

Continue to add locations until your map starts to take shape.

Here is an example of a map we made for a West Virginia Road Trip .

Step 4: Determine Your Route / Itinerary

Now that you have location markers on your map, you can determine your route and day-to-day itinerary.

Take a look at where all your location markers are situated and start planning your route.

Start by creating a directions layer on your map.

Once you have your directions layer, rename it, and begin plotting your route.

First, you will need to enter your starting point. This can be done by either entering an address manually or clicking on a marker on your map.

Continue to add stops until your route is complete.

Here is an example of what our Lake Michigan Circle Tour Road Trip looked like.

Google Maps will default to the quickest route from two points. If you want to go a different route than the one suggested, you can drag the route to force it to go a different way than it was originally displayed.

You now have your own customizable Google Map for your road trip.

We use these maps for both planning our trip and for reference during our trip.

Now let’s look at how to use your awesome map during your trip.

How to View Your Google My Map on Your Phone

Now that you have your map customized, you’ll likely want to be able to view it on your phone.

You will first need to download the Google Maps app from your phone’s app store.

Once you have the Google Map app, here is how you access your map:

• Click on “Saved” on the lower toolbar on your phone
• Click on “Maps” on the lower right
• Select your customized map

Now you can view your location markers and all the customized information you added to your map.

Click on your marker to bring up basic information. For the more detailed information you added, swipe up.

How to Use Your Google Map to Get Directions During Your Road Trip

Unfortunately, you can’t use the turn-by-turn directions you may have added to your map for actual driving instructions for your trip.

But not all is lost; you can still get directions to the next stop by using your customized map and Google Maps.

To do this, click on the location you want directions to and click on directions.

This will launch your Google Map app and allow you to get turn-by-turn directions to your next stop.

How to Export Your Map for Offline Access

Google My Maps works great when you have cell phone service on your trip. Unfortunately, you will not always have service, and you can’t download your Google My Map for offline use like you can in Google Maps.

Thankfully, there are ways to export your map for use offline.

To do this, we use Gaia GPS .

Let’s walk you through downloading your Google My Map for importing into Gaia GPS, an offline mapping app.

On your computer, click on the ( ⋮ ) in the top left corner by the map’s name. Then click on Export to KML/KMZ.

A pop-up will appear. Keep the default of “entire map” and click “download”.

Now you can import this map into Gaia GPS.

Start by creating a Gaia GPS account .

Once logged in, click “Import Data” and select the .KMZ file you downloaded from Google My Maps.

Your locations will now populate in your Gaia GPS map. Make sure to click “save” .

You can now access your map locations offline on your phone via Gaia GPS.

To do this, download the Gaia GPS App on your phone and log in.

Once logged in, you will see a notification that you have a saved location available.

Click on the Saved folder

You can now see all your locations on your Google My Map. Including the details, you added.

More Road Trip Tips: Road Trip Hacks for a Stress-free Trip Road Trip Activities for a Long Car Ride Road Trip Meal and Snack Ideas Money-Saving Tips for Your Next Road Trip How to Budget for a Road Trip

How to Use Google Maps to Plan Your Next Road Trip (Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples)

Post summary: A comprehensive guide on how to use Google Maps to plan a road trip itinerary  and why Google Maps is the best tool/app for planning a trip. Includes a road trip planning tutorial!

Author’s Note: This post was originally published in 2020 and was updated in April 2023 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

So, you want to plan a road trip. But, where do you start? Better yet: How do you start?

I’m often asked about my trip planning process. Where to go, what to do, and how exactly to fit everything into a cohesive itinerary that, well, makes sense .

Planning a road trip can be hard. But, with the right tools and resources, it doesn’t have to be. I’ve already put together a list of my most trusted travel booking resources , and the best apps for road trips , but now I want to talk about one of my favorite road trip planning tools: Google Maps.

Google Maps is like a trip planning goldmine, and it’s always my very first step in organizing my itinerary whenever I take a trip.

Google Maps is one of the best tools for planning a cohesive and successful road trip, because it allows you to create a highly customizable, visual representation of your trip  (shoutout to all my fellow visual learners out there). And its FREE!

Basically, if you’re planning a road trip, knowing how to customize Google Maps is going to make your life so much easier.

So if you’re wondering how to get started, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m breaking the entire process down into an easy to follow step-by-step tutorial on exactly how to use Google MyMaps to plan your next road trip. So, lets get started!

GOOGLE MAPS TRAVEL PLANNING OVERVIEW

Here’s exactly what we cover in this guide:

• Create a new Google Map for your trip.
• Add location pins to your map
• Customize and color code your location pins.
• Create Google Map layers to plan your day-to-day itinerary.
• Add driving directions to your map.
• Download your custom Google Map to your phone.
• Share your map with friends.
• Calculate gas milage for your road trip.

Scroll down for a super detailed step-by-step guide to planning your own travel itinerary for free using Google Maps or skip ahead with the table of contents.

Table of Contents

Need some road trip inspiration? Visit my most popular travel guides:

Las Vegas to Sedona Road Trip (3 Jam-Packed Itineraries to See it All in Less Time)

5-Day British Columbia Road Trip Itinerary

1-Day Yoho National Park Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary

. Don’t forget to grab my FREE Travel Expense Planner Download below to help you plan your next trip . Use it to easily and automatically calculate how much money you’ll spend on gas, flights, accommodation, food + more

WHY GOOGLE MAPS IS THE BEST TRAVEL PLANNING TOOL FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Google Maps is the best tool for planning your next trip , whether you’re just using it for adventure inspiration, to share ideas with your friends, or creating a detailed step-by-step road trip itinerary. Here’s why!

IT CREATES A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF YOUR ROAD TRIP

If you’re a visual learner, Google Maps is going to be your best friend. But even if you’re not a visual learning, using Google Maps to plan your trip is still going to be incredibly helpful.

Planning your trip with Google Maps is the fastest way to familiarize yourself with the layout of an area. It allows you to wrap your head around how large an area is and where everything is in relation to each other, which, in my opinion, is the best way to start planning any trip.

Here’s an example of the Google Map I created for our 4-day road trip in Iceland.

Click here to access the interactive map.

GOOGLE MY MAPS HELPS YOU FIGURE OUT WHERE TO SPEND YOUR TIME

Have you ever had a list of places you wanted to see, only to find out that they’re super far away from each other?

Pinning your locations to your custom Google Map will show you where your stops are. This will help you figure out where to spend your time and plan accordingly.

Are your pins clustered in one place? If so, then you might want to allocate more time to that area. Or maybe your pins are spread out all over the map? If this is the case, then it might be best to prepare yourself for a lot of driving or focus on a smaller area instead.

YOUR GOOGLE MAP IS HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE

Whether you’re touring NYC, road tripping cross country, or backpacking to Beaver Falls in the Grand Canyon , you can create a highly customizable Google Map to help plan your adventure.

Handy features like customizable locations, adding multiple stops, pinning by GPS coordinates, organizing by categories, and overlaying direction layers, all make it incredibly easy to customize your Google Map to plan your travel itinerary.

Need to remember entrance fees, operating hours, or best places to see? You can even add notes to your location pins so you don’t forget important details!

IT HELPS YOU NAVIGATE AND PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Quickly learn how to navigate between stops by adding directions between multiple locations to your map.

This is an incredibly useful tool for figuring out the best routes to take, roads to avoid, and to plan for drive time. You can even choose between walking, biking, or public transportation directions. This is especially helpful for choosing the best entrance to Yellowstone National Park , taking the scenic route on an Ecuador road trip , or mapping out the best Hudson Valley wineries .

IT’S EASY TO COLLABORATE AND SHARE YOUR TRIP

Traveling with friends? Google Maps makes it super easy to collaborate by allowing you to share your map with your travel partners. You can even give them editing access so that everyone can add their must-do’s to the map.

YOUR MAP IS EASY TO SHARE BETWEEN DEVICES

You’ll have to create your Google Map on desktop. But, luckily, you can seamlessly share your custom map straight to your iPhone or Android using the Google Maps App!

Sharing your custom map to your phone makes it super convenient to access your itinerary on the go. You can even set up your map for offline use if you’re traveling without cell phone service.

HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM MAP IN GOOGLE MAPS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. create a new google map, login to google drive on your desktop.

Before you start planning your road trip using Google Maps, make sure you’re signed into your Google Drive.

• Visit www.google.com/maps from your desktop and log in .
• If you don’t have a Google Drive account, create one now.

CREATE A NEW GOOGLE MAP

To create a new map, select “Saved” in the sidebar on the left > “Maps”.  You can also click on the menu (the three lines) in the upper left corner > “Saved” > “Maps”.

For now, your list is probably empty. But as you create more maps, this is where they’ll be stored.

Begin creating your first custom map by selecting “CREATE MAP”

This opens a new blank map. Start by giving your map a title and a description.

Once you’ve named your map, you’re ready to start pinning stops! Keep reading to learn about adding and customizing location pins.

2. ADD LOCATIONS TO YOUR GOOGLE MAP

This is where you start adding the places you want to go!

HOW TO ADD LOCATION PINS

Add multiple stops to your Google map by pinning their locations.  There are a few different ways to add location pins to your Google Map :

• Add a pin using coordinates if you can’t find the exact location in the search bar drop down list. You may have to use this method for extremely specific or remote locations, such as a backcountry campsite or an unmarked trailhead. Simply type the location’s latitude and longitude coordinates into the search bar. .
•  To pin a general area, click on the “Add Marker” button below the map search bar . You’ll be able to drop a blank pin by clicking anywhere on the map. A box will appear asking you to add a title and description

NOTE: You’re allowed to pin 10 location pins per layer. Continue reading to learn how to use layers to add more than 10 location pins to your map.

3. CUSTOMIZING LOCATION PINS

Once you save your pins to the map, they’ll be blue by default. However,  you can customize a pin by changing the color, icon style, description, and title . You can even add pictures or videos if you’re feeling extra fancy.

To change the color and style , begin by clicking on your location pin (either in the list to the left or directly on the map) > “Style” (the little paint can) in the lower right hand corner of the text box. Click “More Icons” to view more options.

To change the location title , click”Edit” (the pencil icon) in the text box. You can also add notes in the “Notes” box. Use the notes box to add more details about finding trail heads, hiking logistics, packing reminders etc. I also like to use it to keep track of specific places to see within a general location, such as a National Park.

To add media (i.e. photos or videos) , click “Add Image or Video” (the camera icon) in the text box. I found this especially helpful on my first Iceland road trip to remember which waterfall was which, since they all sound the same (if you’ve been there, you know what I mean!). You can also add your own photos and videos if you want to create a map to share with others.

To delete a pin , click on it and then click on the trash can icon. .

. 4. CREATING MAP LAYERS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP IN GOOGLE MAPS

What are google map layers.

Google Map layers are a really useful tool for organizing your road trip itinerary. But,  what exactly is a layer? A layer in Google Maps is, by definition, a way to contain arbitrary geospatial data.

Okay, English please ?

In other words, each layer can be used to display different types of information on your map. You can dedicate different layers to different types of places like restaurants, cafe’s, hotels, hiking trails, etc. Or you can dedicate layers to different days of your trip. Or you can stick to one layer. Its up to you.

Here’s an example of how I broke up my Iceland itinerary, using a different layer for each day of our road trip: 

HOW TO ADD LAYERS

When you create your map, you’re automatically using one layer (“Untitled Layer”). This is the layer that your location pins are added to by default, unless you add additional layers. You can add up to 10 location pins per layer, and 10 layers per map.

To add a new layer to your Google Map , simply click “Add Layer”. This creates a new “Untitled Layer”, which you can rename accordingly. To rename layers, click on the title name or click the 3 dots next to the title > “Rename Layer”.

To move a pin between layers , click on the location pin in the list, then drag and drop it into the desired layer.

Choose which layers to display by turning individual layers “on” and “off”. You can do this by checking/unchecking the box next to the layer’s name.

To delete a layer , click the 3 dots next to the layer’s title > “Delete this layer” > “Delete”.

. TIPS FOR USING LAYERS TO PLAN YOUR ITINERARY IN GOOGLE MAPS

When planning my road trip itineraries, I usually give each day its own layer (unless the trip is longer than 10 days, in which case then I’ll combine days or make another map). Then I color code all of my pins by day.

For example, all of my stops (i.e. location pins) on day 1 (layer 1) would be orange, all of my stops on day 2 (layer 2) would be red, and all of my stops on day 3 (layer 3) would be blue. Organizing pins and layers this way makes it a lot easier to visualize your day-to-day itinerary on the map.

That’s just what works for me, so obviously you don’t have to do it that way. You can organize your pins and layers in any way that makes sense to you.

WHEN TO MAKE SEPARATE MAPS 

Personally, I prefer to make a single map for my road trip itineraries whenever possible. But that won’t work for everything or for everyone.

Sometimes maps can get confusing if you have a lot of stops to make. Other times you’ll find that you need more than 10 layers or directions between more locations than Google Maps allows.

To solve these problems, you may opt to create several maps. Perhaps you’ll find it easier to create a separate map for each day of your road trip, or create one map dedicated just to a certain type of location or activity.

For example, we created two separate maps for our road trip through New Zealand. One map for the North Island and one map for the South Island.

5. ADDING DIRECTIONS TO YOUR GOOGLE MAP

. What good would a Google Maps itinerary be if you couldn’t get driving directions?

To add driving directions to your Google Map , click on “Add Directions” (the arrow icon) under the search bar. A new layer will appear (you cannot add directions without it adding a new layer).

Click on “Add Directions” simply by clicking on a pinned location on the map. It will populate in point “A” . Click on a second location on the map, which will populate in point “B” . The route will show up as a blue line on the map.

The original directions will only give you the option to add points “A” and “B”. To add more destinations, click on “Add destinations”. You can add up to 10 destinations.

NOTE:  This may seem obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: When you connect locations, make sure to do it in the order that makes sense. Don’t just add directions between two random locations. Make sure to do it in order!

To choose between driving, walking, or bicycle directions , click on the Directions button in the layer (the blue car icon). Then click on the appropriate mode of transportation.

VIEW STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

To view step-by-step directions, click the three dots to the right of the little of the directions layer > click “Step-by-step directions”.

ADJUSTING YOUR ROUTE

Google maps will automatically calculate the shortest route between locations. But you can easily change the route if you prefer to take a different one (i.e. to take the more scenic route, avoid tolls/highways, etc.).

To adjust the route between two points , hover your cursor anywhere along the blue line. Your cursor will change from a hand to an arrow over a white dot. A dialogue box will say “Drag to change route”. Click and drag the white dot to the desired road or highway on the map.

. 6. HOW TO ACCESS CUSTOM GOOGLE MAPS ON YOUR PHONE 

. There are two ways to access your custom Google Maps on your phone.  You can  (1) reference your map through the Google Maps app  or (2) export the entire map for offline access using Maps.me . Which method you use depends on your personal preference.

Steps are the same for iPhone and Android.

1. To view your maps in the Google Maps app:

• You will need to download Google Maps, if you haven’t done it already
• Sign into the same Google Drive account you used to create the map
• Click on the search bar > “…More” > scroll to the right and click “Maps”
• Select your custom map

How to view your custom Google Map on your phone using the Google Maps app .

Essential tips for using the Google Maps app:

• Accessing step-by-step directions:  When you open your map in the Google Maps app, your directions layer will be visible, but you won’t be able to click on it and get the step-by-step directions. . Instead, navigate to the individual location pins on the map. Click the pin and the directions instruction will populate in the search bar. Click on the search bar and then hit “Search”. This will exit your custom map and open up the regular Google Maps navigation screen. .
• Accessing your map offline:  You can’t. There is currently no way to access your custom map offline in the Google Maps app. Which is obviously not ideal if you’re traveling without cell phone service or wifi. . You can download an area for use offline by clicking on your photo (the circle in the upper right corner) > “Offline maps” > “select your own map”. However, when you do this, the map will be blank and you’ll have to repin/save all of your pins. You can repin/save locations by searching for the location > “save” > and then either add to an existing list or create a new list.

2. To export your custom map to Maps.me:

This method is quite a workaround, but (unlike the Google Maps app) it allows you to access your custom map offline without having to repin anything.

On your desktop: 

• Open your map on desktop
• Click the 3 dots next to the map title > select “Export to KML” > check the box next to “Export to .KML file instead of .KMZ”.
• Make this file accessible through your phone by uploading it to Dropbox, Google Drive, email, or any other file sharing app.

On your phone:

• Download the Maps.me app
• Search for the city, state, or country your map is based in and then download
• Go to your photo sharing app and open your .KML file with Maps.me
• You’ll be directed to your custom map in Maps.me

Tips for using Maps.me

If you download your map in Maps.me, you’ll be able to use it offline. However, the major drawback is that you will only be able to access step-by-step directions from your current location. So, even though your directions layers will populate on your map, you’ll only be able to view the drive times and not the actual directions, unless one of those points is your current location.

That being said, I am not a Maps.me expert.  So, if you have an update or workaround for this issue, please reach out and let me know :)

7. CREATE A SHARED GOOGLE MAP

You might want to share your map if you’re planning a trip with someone else, collaborating on an itinerary, or sharing your map on a website.

To share your Google Map , open the map > click “share” in the gray bar above the layers. Make sure the slider for “Anyone with this link can view” is set to blue. Then copy the link and send it to friends!

To embed your map on a website , check that your sharing sliders are set to “Anyone with this link can view” and “Let others search for and find this map on the internet”. Next, click the menu (the three dots) next to the map title > then click “Embed on my site”. Copy the HTML and paste it in the source code for your page.

8. BONUS: CALCULATE GAS MILEAGE

. Download my customizable Travel Expense Planner below for free . Use it to easily and automatically calculate how much money you’ll spend on gas, using your custom Google Map!

And there you have it! All the tips, tricks, and general instructions on how to use Google Maps as a road trip planning tool . As always, if you have any questions or have anything to add, leave a comment below. I love to hear from you!

Happy adventuring!

Did you find this Google Maps road trip planning tutorial helpful? Don’t forget to pin it for later!

Hi, I’m Jackie! I’m a travel photographer and content creator based near the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. I’m also a millennial who works full-time, yet I still find ways to travel frequently without breaking the bank, because traveling is what makes me feel most alive. Now I help fellow travelers who also work 9-5 and are looking for ways to travel more with limited PTO.

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27 comments.

[…] Krawiecki, J. (n.d.). How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps. The Adventure Atlas. Retrieved from How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps (Tutorial With Examples) | The Adventures Atlas  […]

[…] that an SUV or an RV is better suited for the whole family. Once you’ve secured your vehicle, map out your route, research the stops that you want to make, and make a list of the things that you’ll need to […]

[…] You won’t have service once you get there though, so I suggest downloading offline Google Maps of the area before you go. To learn how to download offline Google Maps, visit my blog post on How To Plan Your Road Trip Using Google Maps […]

[…] How to Plan Your Road Trip Using Google Maps […]

[…] How to Plan Your Trip Using Google Maps […]

All I needed when I googled “how to plan a trip in google maps” was to be pointed in the right direction of where to look for the feature. This went WAY beyond what I could have ever asked for and helped SO MUCH! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi Nicole – I’m SO glad to hear you found this post helpful!

[…] How to plan a road trip using Google Maps […]

Hello Jackie, and thanks for the very informative article! It was well written and I used Google Maps on my last trip to the Baja in Mexico. One other tool I used was the free trip planner from Geovea https://geovea.com/trip_plan/new_trip to create and share my trip, and estimate my trip budget. You can also take your itinerary with you on your phone for navigation. I really appreciate all of the great travel guides and already planning my next trip :-)

Thank you for sharing all of this valuable information! I see how to view the turn-by-turn directions, but is there a way to start the route so you can follow it while driving? Thanks!!

[…] How to Plan Your Road Trip using Google Maps […]

This literally just changed my life! Thank you for sharing how to use google maps to plan a road trip. I will use this all the time now!

Hey there – so happy to hear you found this post useful!

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said no driving directions from point a to point b, so i couldn’t get started. E.G. Badland SD to Mt Rushmore to Custer Nat. Park, I need a little more direction, i’m not to good with comp. thanks

Hey Billy – Sometimes Google Maps won’t recognize directions to very general areas because it wants you to use something more specific. This most often happens with National Parks and wilderness areas. In those cases, Google Maps will generally present you with a list of specific locations you can choose from, such as the park’s ranger stations, visitors centers, etc. However, in your situation, I was able to pull up directions using “Badlands National Park”, “Mount Rushmore National Memorial”, and “Custer National Forest”. Hope that helps!

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[…] essential than you assume to sleep, bathe and plan for slower days. An excellent rule of thumb is to plan in rest time each three days. That means, you possibly can push your self however stop exhaustion in your […]

I’ve been a user of paper maps, since before the Internet, or color TV for that matter. For an up coming trip, basically Texas to FL, and back, I decided to make better use of Google Maps. A google search brought me to this page. Super helpful, and the pins per layer note answered a long standing confusion of mine. Thank you. I do have one question. Is there a way to to add waypoints based on distance or travel time? For example, this is going to be a two day trip. I want to find the halfway point (easily)? Or in the case of a longer trip, I want to drive X miles or Y hours? I know I can trial and error it, but what if I want the half-way point? What’s the easiest way to find it? Or where will I be in 8 hours of driving? Thank so much! Cheers, Eric

Hey Eric – thanks so much for your comment! Unfortunately, I don’t know of an easy way to calculate your half way point or location after x amount of hours. I typically eyeball it, which might be the only way to find your answer

Thanks very much, it is really helpful

This was most helpful for creating a personal map. I tried it and created a practice map on my laptop; named it and accessed it exactly like your instructions indicate. The part that has me puzzled is the accessing it from your phone. I have used Google maps on my phone for a long time and believe I am signed in using the same account. The Google Maps app on the phone identifies me (the right end if the search bar has my initial and shows the account when tapped.) When I tap the search bar I get to the … More but that is it. All I then see is the opportunity to set my Home and Work Locations but no listing of My Maps.

On the laptop going to the Menu (bars at left side of Search) allows access to Lists, Labeled, Visited, and Maps. (Maps is the one, as you indicate, to get to your personal Maps.) On my phone the only thing that seems to be available is the Labeled option. What am I missing to get to the Maps? I feel like there must be a switch somewhere to have the Maps come through … but I can’t seem to find it! Hoping you or someone can point me in the right direction. Thank you.

Without creating a custom map, is there a way to display a route in Google Maps and show attractions at the same time?

You’ve written a terrific guide and I’m learning a lot more about Google maps. Is there some way to print this guide or download a printable copy? Thanks.

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How to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps – A Step-by-Step Illustrated Guide

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 26, 2023
• Published on March 25, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

My road trip planning always begins with Google Maps. In less than half an hour, I can create a new map, add a driving route, and fill layers with markers. Once completed, I sit back with a fully visualized road trip in front of me.

All of this is made possible with Google My Maps – a component of Google Maps that allows users to create customized maps. After years of road tripping, I have built an archive of over a hundred custom maps. It’s great for planning a road trip – and remembering my favorite moments years later.

Follow this step-by-step illustrated guide to learn how you can create custom maps, load them in Google Maps, and create the perfect road trip itinerary.

Google Maps vs Google My Maps

Google Maps has become one of the most popular navigation apps available on mobile devices and online. Users can get turn-by-turn voice navigation, search for points of interest, and save them to lists. However, that’s where the usability ends. It’s not the ideal way for planning a road trip.

Google My Maps is a tool for creating a custom map with layers, stylized markers, and routes.

READ MORE: 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas on Your Next Road Trip

This helps visualize a road trip, place destinations in the correct order, and make sense of the grand scale of the road trip. After creating a customized map, users can open it in Google Maps on any mobile device, plug into a compatible vehicle, and let the road trip adventure begin.

Here are three primary differences between Google Maps and Google My Maps:

• Google Maps cannot be shared with friends and family, but Google My Maps can be shared
• Google Maps cannot stylize the markers, but Google My Maps can style colors and icons
• Google Maps has an app for mobile devices, but Google My Maps can only be used in a web browser

Google Maps lists is a great way to build your road trip wish list, and Google My Maps is a great way to build your road trip itinerary. Used together, these are powerful tools for planning every moment of your road trip adventure.

Google My Map Example

“Wish, however, that you had added a road map that I could use on my GPS,” Karen commented on Road Trip: Exploring the Tennessee Mountains From Knoxville to Chattanooga . She wasn’t the first person to request a map to download to mobile devices and take on the road with them.

I listened.

One of the benefits of using Google My Maps is the ability to share the map with friends, family, and fellow road trippers. But after posting a story about a road trip, I would delete the Google My Map. Eek! I wish I hadn’t done that.

I am in the process of recreating all the road trip itineraries I’ve posted in Google My Maps. In the future, when you see a road trip itinerary, “things to do” post about a destination, or roundup of coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants, you will see a link to a custom Google My Map. You can download the map to your Google account and take it with you!

For now, here is an example to help you with this tutorial: Road Trip to the Southern Sixers at Google My Maps .

Step No. 01

Create a custom map.

To begin creating a custom map, visit the Google My Maps website. You’ll need a Google account if you don’t already have one – there are lots of travel benefits to having an account.

Google My Maps requires a web browser – Google recommends Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. It’s possible to create these custom maps a browser on a tablet, but the ideal situation would be desktop or laptop computer.

1. Create a New Map

Click the “Create a New Map” button.

2. Give the Map a Name

Initially, the map will be named “Untitled map.” Not exactly memorable or descriptive. Click on the map’s name to change it and make is something you can easily identify later.

Step No. 02

Edit the first layer.

By default, an “Untitled Layer” is already present in any new map. This is the starting point for creating a custom map.

1. Rename the Layer

Click the title of the layer and change it to “Destinations.” This will always be the first layer when creating a road trip map. In this instance, destinations are cities, towns, or parks used for creating the route of your road trip. You will create additional layers later for attractions, restaurants, and hotels.

2. Add Markers to the Layer

The next step is to lay out the road trip route. You may not yet know the exact route you want to drive, but you’ll likely know the destinations you want to visit.

Always begin by adding your home address as the first marker. You will need this when creating the driving route.

Using the search bar, search for the name of the destination. It can be a city or town, state or national park, or any type of business listed in Google Maps. Add each destination to the layer, and then drag the markers into the order you wish to visit them.

Layers can have an unlimited number of markers. But keep this first layer to strictly the destinations you want to visit.

Step No. 03

Create a route between destinations.

The hardest part of planning a road trip is determining the route to drive. Sometimes, it’s easy if there is only one way to get from one destination to another. Fortunately, creating a route with a Google Map presents options.

1. Create a Driving Route

In the Map Tools area, click on the icon to “Add Directions.” Clicking this tool will create a new, untitled layer. The default directions are for driving, however it’s possible to change the transportation mode to bicycling or hiking.

2. Enter the Start and End Points

Two empty boxes appear in the driving route. In Box A, begin typing the name of the first marker saved in the Destinations layer – most likely your home address, unless you’re on a multi-stop road trip. It will appear in a dropdown menu. Select the name of the destination to add it to Box A. Do the same with Box B, choosing the end point of your road trip.

An initial route will appear on the map. Like planning a route in Google Maps, this is Google’s default route based on traffic conditions, road closures, and speed limits. It’s just a suggestion. It’s possible to change this route depending on your personal preferences.  

If you want to create a loop, simply enter the start point again as the end point. Google Maps will automatically create a loop connecting all the destinations.

3. Add Additional Stops

If you want to add additional stops to the driving route, click “Add Destination” at the bottom of the layer. Another empty box will appear. Begin typing the name of a destination and select it from the dropdown list.

Driving layers can have a maximum of 10 stops. If you’re road trip is longer than ten stops, consider dividing the route into multiple layers. One option would be to create a driving layer for each day of the road trip. Another option is to divide the road trip into segments.

4. Customize the Route

Click on any point along the route. With the route highlighted – a faint white line surrounding the bright blue line – you can now edit the route. Click on any point along the route and drag it in a different direction. Let go, and the route automatically adjusts to your preference.

Customizing the route must be the last step in the process of creating a driving layer. If you add another stop to the layer, it will reset the custom route and you’ll have to start over again.

Customizing the route gives you the option to avoid interstate highways, take the scenic route along national scenic byways, or to select country roads for a long summer drive.

5. Rename the Driving Layer

When a route is created, Google My Maps automatically generates a name for the layer. However, you may want to rename this layer something easier to remember. “Route” is always a good option.

6. Route Information

One of the neatest features of Google My Maps is the step-by-step directions with driving, biking, or hiking routes. Click the three dots beside the layer name and select “Step-by-Step Directions” in the dropdown menu. At the very top of the directions, you’ll find the total miles and suggested drive time for the route. This can be valuable information for budgeting gas and planning how long to drive each day of your road trip.

Step No. 04

Add additional layers and markers.

With the route finished, now comes the fun part. Adding the markers! Layers and markers are a good way to visualize your road trip adventure, adding places you don’t want to miss and roadside attractions you need to visit.

1. Create a New Layer

Click “Add Layer” to add a new layer to the custom map. Custom maps can have a maximum of 10 layers, including driving layers. Make use of this limit to organize your road trip information.

What kind of information would you want to save into layers?

Hotels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnb rooms. It can help to save the place where you’ll spend each night of your road trip into a “Lodging” layer.

Restaurants, coffee shops, and dessert cafes. Everybody needs to eat. Creating a “Restaurants” layer can help you remember all those places your friends told you to visit.

Points of interest. Friends inevitably bombard you with tips on places you shouldn’t miss. The best way to keep up with that information is to drop a marker onto the map in a “POI” layer.

Layers can be organized by theme, date, location, or any way you could possibly think to organize the content. The purpose of layers is to organize the markers to make them easier to show or hide on the map while traveling.

2. Add Markers

There are three ways to add markers to any layer. The first is visually as you scroll through the map. Like Google Maps, Google My Maps allows users to click on business names to see more information.

The popup box includes a wealth of information. Typically, each marker will include “Details from Google Maps” like the street address, website, and phone number. Clicking the website will open it in a new tab or window in your browser.

At the bottom of the popup box, click “Add to Map” to add the marker to the current layer.

A second way to add markers is with the search box. After entering a search, lime green markers appear on the map and a list appears at the top of the layers. Clicking on the markers or names in the list will display the popup box and the option to add it to the current layer.

The final way to add a marker to the map is to create a custom marker. In the Map Tools menu, click “Add Marker.” The cursor changes to a crosshair. Wherever you click on the map, a new marker will be created.

A popup appears asking for information about the new marker. Enter a name for the marker in the top box. You can add a description in the second box, if needed. Click “Save” to add the marker to the layer.

Step No. 05

Stylize the markers.

After adding a route and dozens – perhaps hundreds – of markers, the data can be overwhelming to view on a single map. This is where Google My Maps differs the most from Google Maps: the ability to stylize the markers.

There are three ways to stylize markers in a custom map: Individual Styles, Uniform Styles, and Sequence of Numbers.

1. Individual Styles

By default, Individual Styles is selected. With this option, you can change the color and icon for each marker individually. This is helpful if you want to color code markers or create groups of icons within a single layer.

2. Uniform Style

The second option is to create a Uniform Style. This collapses the list of markers and allows you to choose a custom color and icon for all the markers in that layer at once. The markers are still viewable if you want to see them, but not editable. Uniform Style is a great way of grouping all the markers in a layer by subject like restaurants, hotels, or museums.

3. Sequence of Numbers

The third option is to create a Sequence of Numbers. This is a great option for creating an itinerary for the markers in the layer. The markers are still visible in the list and draggable to reorder them, automatically updating the number sequence. Changing the color of any of the markers will automatically pass that color to all the markers in the sequence.

4. Style Options

After clicking the edit button for any marker, a popup menu shows a color palette and popular icons. Unfortunately, Google My Maps does not support custom colors. But with 30 colors to choose from, you’re certain to find something that will work for your road trip.

Clicking “More Icons” at the bottom of the popup menu opens the full list of 432 available icons. A search bar makes it easy to find what you need for the markers on your road trip map. Here are some common icons you may want to use:

• Shopping Cart
• Information

Step No. 06

Open the custom map in google maps.

Every change made to a custom map in Google My Maps is automatically saved. Once you have finished customizing the map, it’s time to open it on your mobile device. If you created a new Google account, you will need to use that same login information with the mobile app.

1. Load a Custom Map on a Phone

Open the Google Maps app. Tap “Saved” on the bottom menu bar. Tap “Maps” underneath your lists. Here, you will see the custom map you created earlier. Tap on the map you want to open.

To begin using the map, tap “Go” in the bottom menu bar. You can now scroll through the custom map, zoom in and out, and tap on any of the markers you added earlier.

2. Load a Custom Map on a Tablet

Open the Google Maps app. On tablets, tap the three-line “hamburger” menu icon in the search bar and then tap “Your Places.” Tap “Maps” in the new menu along the top of the lists. You will now see the same list of custom maps you see in the phone menu. Tap on the map you want to open.

Once this map opens in Google Maps on a tablet, it is ready to use.

Step No. 07

Navigation with a custom map.

Although you can create driving directions with a custom map, you cannot use that route for turn-by-turn voice navigation.

So, what’s the point in doing all this work?

Long before Facebook was invented, in the era of Napster and Road Rules on MTV, pioneering road trippers used maps printed on paper. Using a custom map created in Google My Maps, loaded into Google Maps, would be a similar experience but in a digital format.

With the custom map loaded, users can zoom in and out to get more details of the route ahead. Like using Google Maps, your location is pinpointed with a blue circle – if you have location services enabled on your mobile device. Although it won’t be voice navigation, you will still be able to see where you need to make turns to follow the route you created earlier.

Quasi-Voice Navigation

It is possible to get turn-by-turn voice navigation, but it comes with a caveat. Tap on the next marker along the driving route, and then tap on the blue circle to get directions. Tap “Start” and turn-by-turn voice navigation starts.

However, you will notice the driving route may no longer match your customized route. That’s because this method creates a new “initial” route.

If you customized the driving route to use national scenic byways or avoid interstates, you lose that customization using this method. But, depending on how you customized your route, it may not matter anyway.

5 Responses

If you’re using your custom map without turn by turn navigation, it is a small headache to keep the phone from auto-locking. The best I was able to find was that you’d have to make a change in developer mode and even then it would only stay open if the phone was charging, not all the time.

Very helpful in creating the map and the layer with destintaions. Was able to see the map on the phone. When opening the map on the phone however there was no option to “go” so the map was useless.

That’s strange. I just tested it again on my iPhone 14 with Google Maps. I loaded the custom map I had created for places to eat brunch in Columbia, South Carolina, I tapped one of the pins I dropped on the map to a restaurant, and I was given the option to tap “Start” and it began voice navigation. You didn’t see that option on your phone?

MyMaps unfortunately is limited to ten stops on a trip route. So it’s rather useless for long road trips…

This is true. But that’s why this is only for PLANNING a road trip, not executing it. Google My Maps helps you visualize the stops and choose the best route. After that, I think you should use a Garmin automotive GPS for navigation.

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How-To Geek

How to plan a road trip with multiple destinations in google maps.

Map out multiple destinations in Google Maps on the web or in the app.

Quick Links

Add multiple stops using the website, add multiple stops using the mobile app.

Whether you're planning a day out on the town, or want to orchestrate the perfect road trip across the country, Google Maps allows you to add up to nine stops, excluding your starting point, when you make directions from both the website and the Maps app. Here's how you do it.

First, open up your browser and head on over to Google Maps.  Click the "Directions" button to the right of the search bar.

By default, Maps will use your device's location for the starting point. If you want this to be a different location, enter it now.

Next, enter the location of your first destination into the field provided, and then hit Enter. Alternatively, you can click any location on the map to get the same results.

Make sure you have either the driving or walking option selected, as Maps only lets you make multiple destinations with these two travel modes.

To add another destination, all you have to do is click either the "+" or the space below your first destination, and then start typing a new location. You can repeat this to add up to nine total stops. If you have more stops than is allowed, you may need to make another map from where you left off.

If at any point you decide you want to change up the order of your destinations, just drag any location up or down on the list using the circles on the left.

And once you've created your map in your web browser, you can click the "Send directions to your phone" link to send it to your mobile device by email or text message. Assuming you've got the Google Maps app installed, you can open it right up.

If you want to optimize your travel, you can also turn a multi-stop Google Maps trip into a round-trip .

Related: How to Find Public Restrooms Near You with Google Maps

You can use the Google Apps mobile app (free for iPhone , iPad , and  Android ) to create a map with multiple destinations in much the same way.

Related: How to Download Google Maps Data for Offline Navigation on Android or iPhone

Fire up the Google Maps app on your mobile device, and then tap the blue "Go" button on the bottom right of your screen.

By default, Maps uses your device's location for the starting point. If you want this to be a different location, enter it now.

Start typing in your first destination or tap a location on the map below to start your journey.

Next, open the menu (the three dots at the top right), and then tap the "Add Stop" command.

Enter the location of your next stop, or tap anywhere on the map to add the next destination.

To change the order of your destinations, just drag any of the locations up or down the list using the "Hamburger" (three stacked lines) on the left.

When you've added all the stops to your trip, go ahead and tap "Done" so you can start your journey.

Related: How to View and Delete Your Google Maps History on Android and iPhone

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How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip With Google Maps

• Last Updated: March 21, 2024
• 15 minutes read

Google Maps is an easy to use, free tool that makes planning your RV road trip seamless. Plug in destination pins for a highly visual way to get a good sense of the flow of your your next adventure. Map your itineraries, save it, edit it later, share your map with friends and then download it to your phone to use for turn-by-turn navigation.

Being part of all that Google offers makes My Maps great for trip planning, as you can quickly read destination reviews, get directions and learn about all the best food trucks or chart a path to art museums along the way. Plus, You can also calculate your trip mileage, opt for the most fuel-efficient routes and even you can find the cheapest gas station.

So, whether you are visiting a new place for the weekend or traveling across the entire country in your RV, Google Maps Trip Planner will save you time and money while planning your best holiday ever.

In this illustrated guide I’ll show you how to plan a epic and safe road trip with Google maps route planner.

Why should You choose Google Maps As A  Trip Planner ?

Using Google Maps for road trip planning gives you the opportunity to research an area before you go.

Gone are the days when you show up in town with a paper map and hope you hit all the town’s highlights. Now you can plan more easily for an awesome vacation.

It incorporates all things Google

Since it’s a GPS system, a business directory and has user reviews , we can use Google Maps to narrow down a list of the places that look interesting.

By reading the reviews , you can tell pretty quickly if you want to make the stop or pass on by. It’s also great that with a quick click, you can see business hours, address and phone number.

Quickly Visualize your Trip

Plotting your trip on a map helps you see how close together or how far apart destinations are.

You can quickly see an overview of the main points of your trip to know how long you want to spend in each area.

For example, if you realize you’ve saved quite a few pins all in one central area, you will be able to quickly see if you’d like to extend your time there.

The reality check of how much you can do or see in one day is quickly apparent with Google Maps.

That’s part of why I like using it so much. It takes some of the guesswork out by letting you easily see distances to places.

Customize your travel plans

Google Maps makes it super easy to customize your travel plans . Add your own important notes when planning your trip. You can color code your stops and add an icon for the type of destination it is.

When you learn about a place during your travel, you can easily drop a pin to your My Map so you remember the details.

Collaborate your plans

It’s easy to share your map with friends or family, so they can add special places to visit also. Just give them editing access and you can collaborate on the best vacation ever.

Share between devices

Finally, we like Google Maps because it’s easy to share between devices . I start the map on my laptop, but then send it to my iPhone for viewing on the go.

How To Plan A Road Trip With Google Maps & Google My Maps

Here’s a step-by-step guide for planning the perfect road trip or find an undiscovered gem nearby with Google Maps Route Planner

Create a new Google Map for your trip.

Add broad locations, then narrow it down by adding must-see sites., customize your map by adding colors, icons and notes., create layers to break your trip down into smaller bites: by day, by activity type, by restaurants, etc., add directions: driving, walking, biking, your choice., access on your phone., share with your family and friends., 1. create a new google “my map”.

First, be sure you are logged into your Google account . If you don’t have one, it’s quick and easy to set up, so go ahead and do that, then meet me right back here.

To create a new map from your Google drive, click “New”. Then click “More” and finally “Google My Maps”. This opens a brand new map , ready for you to customize.

Now give your map a name by simply clicking in the title box. A smaller dialogue box pops up. Type in your map name and give it a brief description.

You’ve started your first map! Now you can quickly start pinning places to see. For this illustration, I’m creating a map to visit Southeast Utah.

This is one of my favorite vacation places in the United States, so it’s an easy one to start showing you how to create your own customized Google Maps trip plan!

2. Start Adding Destination Pins

The next step is to click & type in the search bar to locate your first destination. This is how you’ll add destination pins to your map and it’s where the magic starts to happen!

If you have a specific destination , like a restaurant, then add it. But you can also just add the city or national park or general destination too.

Google Maps lets you enter locations by their GPS coordinates as well as by their names.

GPS coordinates come in handy for hiking trails. Usually, larger trailheads show up on the Map, but if you are heading to a secret hiking trail that your friend told you about, it may not have an official starting point. Adding the GPS coordinates will easily add a pin to your map.

Once you click the destination from the search bar, a dialogue box comes up. Notice that the pin is currently green.

Once you click “Add to Map”, the pin will turn blue. You’ll also see it populate your map contents on the left side of the screen.

Keep in mind that Google Maps gets things wrong once in a while. Hard to imagine, right? For example, you may be thinking of a museum on the east side of town, not realizing there’s a similarly named museum on the west side.

Double checking the address of specific destinations is a good habit to have from the beginning of your trip planning.

3. Customize your Pins

Now, you can either repeat the process above to keep adding destination pins. OR you can begin customizing your pins right away.

I prefer to customize them as I go, as it helps me keep track of activities. This part is all about your own preference though.

Easy organization in customized pins

I like to designate a color and icon for the different types of things we plan to do on our RV trip.

For instance, I use a green colored pin and an RV icon to indicate where we’ll stay for the night.

That might be at a National Park campground, an RV Park or even a backcountry boondocking site.

It doesn’t matter the type of camping, as I’ll still use the same green RV icon on my pin.

For hiking, I generally use a magenta colored pin with the Hiking icon. You can choose any color and icon combination that works best for you.

This is one of the great things about using the Google Maps trip planner, you can absolutely make it your own!

Even if you don’t really care about customizing your map with colors and icons, I’d still recommend changing away from the standard blue pin.

It sometimes fades into maps, like it’s a body of blue water. So changing to a brighter, non-map color makes it easier to find your pinned destinations.

Let’s see how this works:

Adjust Color and Icon

You can change a pin’s color and icon in either of two easy ways.

First hover over the destination name on the left, then simply click the paint. This opens the color and icon block. Select your color and icon.

If you don’t see the icon you want, click “More icons” for a LOT more choices.

Add your own description

Here you can also add a description to any of your destination pins. I like to make a note of must-see or -do items.

For example, everything I read about Capitol Reef National Park said that you absolutely must take time for a slice of pie at the Gifford House.

Pie and ice cream from locally grown orchards? I did not want to forget that! So I quickly made a note on my pin.

This section is a great place to make any notes about hiking trail conditions or what campground you hope to stay at. The “notes” section is perfect for customizing your Google Maps destination pin.

Add a Photo

Click the camera option to easily add a photo to your pin. From here you can select where you get the image from.

You can upload it, add an image URL, or you can pull from your photos or your Google Drive.

In addition, you can select images from a Google Image Search to keep track of items you look forward to seeing in person. And finally, you can even add images from your go-to YouTube vacation channel.

Google Maps makes adding images easy. It’s a great tool for planning your trip, but also to add a photo reminder of the places you go.

Delete a Pin

You can also quickly delete a destination pin from this same customization location.

Maybe you realize you don’t have enough time to visit all the sites you originally pinned. So click the little garbage can for a fast delete.

Another item in this section is the ability to add driving directions. It is indicated by the small arrow, which curves to the right. Let’s wait to go into the driving directions more in-depth below.

4. Create Layers within Google Maps

When you created your map, the first “layer” was created automatically. You can change it’s name by clicking in the “untitled layer” box, just like you did with the map name.

You can further customize your map with layers that display different types of information.

For instance, if you are planning a multi-day trip, simply naming each layer Day 1, Day 2, etc. helps you plan daily activities.

However, you may want to organize by which restaurants you eat at on your trip. So name a layer “Restaurants” and then save the top foodie spots under it.

Or perhaps you want to see the top lighthouses along a stretch of coastline. You then name a layer “Lighthouses” and save destinations accordingly.

There’s really no limit to the possibilities in creating your own specific Google Maps trip plan. Just get creative and plan an amazing trip!

Here’s what my Southeast Utah road trip looked during the early stages of planning:

I knew the basic places that we wanted to go, but obviously we couldn’t do all of it in one day! That’s where layers come in.

Here’s how you add layers:

To add a new layer , simply click the “Add layer” button. That’s it! Simple, right? Give it a new name and start adding destinations.

Add Destination Pins to your Layers

Move a pin between layers by hovering your mouse over it until you get the four way arrow meaning you can move something.

Then drag the pin down to the new layer. This took me a couple tries to figure out, so be patient with yourself and it’ll work out fine.

In addition to moving pins between layers, simply click anywhere within the layer box to add pins directly to that layer.

You’ll know you’ve clicked in the correct layer by seeing the blue bar next to it.

Should you make more layers or create a new Google map?

Here is another personal preference. For me, I like to add layers to one map for each trip I plan. But you may prefer having fewer layers and instead just creating another map.

You can only create up to 10 layers per map . However, sometimes you may need more. So that’s when making a second map comes into play.

Some people like having a separate map for each day of their RV road trip.

Others may like having separate maps for different types of activities. So instead of creating individual layers for lighthouse visits, like in my earlier example, you may find it more effective to simply have an entire map devoted to lighthouses.

There’s no right or wrong option here. It’s your trip and your planning preferences.

5. Add Directions to your Googles Maps Planning

Okay, you’ve now created a map, set and customized your destination pins, then added some layers.

Next we’ll add directions from one point to the next. Keep in mind that adding directions to your My Maps plan is strictly for the purpose of planning routes.

When you access the map from your phone, driving directions are not live , so you’ll still need to plug destinations into your Google Maps app.

I’m not sure why the functionality doesn’t exist but I believe it’s simply because real-life plans change.

For instance, say you stop to get gas, then someone tells you about a great place to eat a few blocks away. Now you’re in a different location, so your pre-planned directions are off.

For me, I add directions during travel planning in order to see the entire RV road trip route.

I think of it in terms of a big picture overview, while the actual daily driving is a narrowed down view of the vacation’s navigation.

How to add Trip overview directions

To add driving directions to your planning map, click the Add Directions icon at the top of the map, under the search bar.

It’s the little arrow, which curves towards the right. A new layer will automatically be added to your map. I usually name it, “Trip Overview Directions” or something similar.

Now click inside the box for Destination A to highlight it. Then simply click on any of your map’s destination pins.

That location will populate inside Destination A. Now click a map pin to populate Destination B .

Click Add destination to add further stops along your path. Since I use this function simply for planning, rather than driving, I generally only add the main points of my trip.

For example Bryce National Park to Escalante, Utah. I’ll see many smaller spots within those two locations, but I can plan them separately.

How to add daily itinerary directions

The step-by-step process for adding daily itinerary directions is the same as that for a trip overview. You can easily use this planning tool to work out logistics for daily side trips.

You can even change the directions from driving to walking or biking for getting around town easily.

Planning your RV trip ahead through adding map directions helps you to maximize your vacation time. You won’t spend time back-tracking as you’ve already prepared a game plan.

View step by step directions for your RV trip

Easily view the step by step directions for your trip by clicking the three little buttons next and select “Step-by-step Directions”. A dialogue box opens to show the directions for your trip.

Adjusting your route

Even though Google Maps finds the shortest trip between two destinations, you can make changes as necessary.

We generally try to avoid major interstates. Instead we prefer the slower pace of state highways that meander through small towns.

• Hover your mouse over the blue trip line.
• Once your cursor changes from an open hand to a pointing finger, a dialogue box opens to say, “Drag to change route”.
• Simply pull the blue line to the road you’d rather take.

6. Access Your Google My Maps from your Phone

Here are the steps to easily access My Maps on your cell phone. I use an iPhone, so Android may be slightly different.

• Open the Google Maps app.
• Click “Saved” at the bottom center of the phone screen.
• Chose “Maps” at the bottom right of this phone screen.
• Select your map to open it. Once you’ve created more maps, you’ll have more options to choose from here.
• When your map opens, you’ll see the trip overview, map title and map description.
• Click “View Map Legend” to see all the details.
• Easily share your map with friends and family from this phone screen.

Accessing driving Directions from your Map

Like I mentioned above, there currently is no functionality to get live driving directions from your saved My Maps.

I don’t see this lack of functionality as a negative however. Instead I think preplanning is still beneficial, because you can use those waypoints to drop into your phone app for live navigating directions.

7. Share your map with friends

There are a couple of easy ways to share your map with friends and family. Like I mentioned above, when viewing your map from you cell phone, just click the share button.

Then you can text it, email it or add it to Pinterest, Instagram or other social media. You can even add it to one of your Reminders lists, although I’m not sure why you’d want to!

Share from your Laptop or desktop

For Social Media or Website: On your computer, sign into My Maps. Click Share from the thumbnail of the map you want to share (it’s the little arrow button).

Then follow the prompts to share on Facebook, Twitter, via Email or to embed on your website. The onscreen directions will walk you through the process.

To Share with Friends: Again, from My Maps, go ahead and open your map. Click the Share button, then decide how you want to share it.

A new feature from Google is that you can take credit for your map by adding your name and profile picture when sharing it. Just toggle it off, if you’d rather not have your deets connected.

So that’s it! All the details about how to plan your RV trip using Google Maps. I hope you’ve found this guide useful and that you’re now busy creating all your own maps.

About Author / Aaron Richardson

Aaron Richardson is an expert RVer and the co-founder of RVing Know How. Aaron, along with his wife Evelyn, has been living and traveling in their Keystone Fuzion RV since 2017. Their adventures span across the country and beyond, including memorable RVing experiences in Mexico. Aaron's passion for the outdoors and RVing shines through in his writings, where he shares a blend of travel stories, practical tips, and insights to enhance the RV lifestyle.

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Planning A Road Trip With Google Maps (A Detailed Guide)

If you like researching foreign cities and creating travel itineraries, this guide is perfect for you! Especially if you’re going on a road trip, and you need an itinerary that you can share with your friends.

You can do it all in Google Maps. You can create your own custom Google Maps itinerary, and pin down all the museums, monuments, cafes and other places you want to visit. You can even write little notes next to each place, and change the colors and icons of each pin.

Sounds like fun? Read the rest of our guide to become an expert on creating Google Maps travel itineraries!

Why You Should Use Google Maps For Your Travel Itinerary

Let’s get one thing clear – this is only going to work if you like planning, organizing and maps. If you enjoy making travel itineraries for you and your friends, this guide will take your skills to the next level.

But if it’s not your thing, don’t bother. Instead, why don’t you send this post to your friend who is the designated trip planner and help them learn something new.

Cross Platform Access

One thing that doesn’t get enough credit in our day and age is cross platform access. You can view your Google Maps on any device on any platform – Windows, OSX, Android, iOS . So, you can work on your map on your Windows computer, and then use it on your iPhone later.

You can also edit the maps on your phone or tablet, but you can’t do it in the app. To edit the maps on mobile, you need to go the My Maps page in a web browser . On Android, you can also download the app ’Maps Go’. But this app also runs in Chrome, and it’s not the smoothest to use.

Easy To Share

It’s really easy to share these maps with your friends, which is perfect if you’re planning a group trip. Everyone can have access to the same map on their phone, and your friends can even edit the maps if you give them permission to do so.

Your Itinerary In The Palm Of Your Hand

You can create as many maps and add as many places to them as you want . And you can have all of them in the palm of your hand. By that I mean in your smartphone. Forgot the name of that bistro where you were supposed to go grab lunch? Just check the map on your phone.

Be As Organized As You Want

You can add different layers to these maps and change the icons and colors of pins. This gives you complete control of what your custom map looks like , which is awesome. You can make every pin a different color or use a cat icon for every place you want to visit. The maps are highly customizable, which really lets you make them your own.

Cons Of Using Google Maps

Only available online.

You can’t download your own maps like you can download regular maps , and that’s one big downside. The maps you create can be viewed only when you’re online, but there are a couple of ways to trick the app.

You can open up you map while you’re online, and view it later when you’re not. If you have a newer phone, the map will run in the background, and you should be able to view it even without any Internet connection. However, you won’t be able to see any details about the pins on your map.

They Have Limitations

The possibilities with Google Maps aren’t endless. You can only add 10 layers per map , which means that you will usually need to create more than one map.

When you’re viewing the map you created, the information you see is very limited. When you tap on an icon, the usual Google Maps card doesn’t show up. Instead, you can only see the name and description you typed. And that is pretty ridiculous, considering that you can see the regular info (reviews, photos, website etc.) for every place you did not pin on the map.

You Can’t Use It For Navigation

Although you can add driving and walking routes to your maps, you can’t really use those routes for navigation.

When you open up your custom map plan on your phone, you will be able to see the path that you added. But you can’t get any more information about it, and you can’t use it for directions .

There is one thing you can do – open up the regular map in the app, and ask for directions.  

Planning Out The Itinerary With Google Maps

Before you start pinning places on a map and creating layers, you should figure out which places you actually want to visit. And Google Maps can help you with that . Here’s how I plan my trips using maps.

So, first I find the city where I’m going to. Then, I’ll type in something like ‘best restaurants in [city_name]’ or ‘best hotels’. The places that will pop up on the map are the highest-rated places in the area . And then it’s time to go through the reviews.

You might think it’s useless – why go through reviews if a restaurant has 4.6 stars? Because stuff happens, and you should always look at the most recent reviews. Maybe the owner or the cook were changed, and the last 10 reviews are all bad. That will not impact the overall score of the restaurant too much, but it does mean that you should avoid the place.

I also like to go through the photos . It gives you a good idea of what kind of a place you’re checking out, how you should be dressed and you can see what’s on the menu. Maybe you will spot a dish that you must try, and one specific restaurant will be at the top of your list .

Another thing I usually do is compare the places Google lists with the places on Trip Advisor . If a place has great reviews on both of them, then I usually add it to my map. But if it’s highly rated only on one of them, I go through the reviews to see what the downsides are, and then I decide if I should add it to the map.

Getting Started With Google Maps

First thing’s first – go to Google Maps and log in. If by some miracle you’ve managed to make it this far without having a Google account, it’s time to make one. Click on the ‘Create a New Map’ button in the top left part of the screen, and you can get started.

From there, there are two ways you can approach making the map. You can either put everything you want on this one map, or you can make a different map for every day of your trip. It’s up to you – I prefer to have several maps, because it’s a bit easier to navigate them when you’re on your phone.

But I will give you some advice on both strategies.

Creating Layers

You can add a maximum of 10 layers to any Google map you make. It’s up to you how you want to organize your layers. You can do a different layer for each day, or cafes in one layer, shopping malls in the second one, clubs in the third one etc.

Adding a layer is pretty easy – in the top left corner of the screen, just below the name of your Map, you have the ‘Add a Layer’ option.

That’s what you want to click, if you just want to add pins to your map – cafes, fast foods, hotels, night clubs, museums and whatnot.

Make sure to name all of your layers . It might seem redundant, but if you add 10 of them, your map will get really busy. And then when you’re viewing it, you will probably want to turn off some layers – that’s not as easy to do when all of them are named ‘Untitled Layer’ and you have no idea which one you’re hiding.

To rename a layer, click once on the layer card to select it, and then click on its name. An ‘Edit layer name’ card will pop up , and you can type in whatever you want.  You can also rename it by clicking on those three dots to the right of its name – the same card appears.

Related: Plan the perfect road trip with your Tesla Trip Planner

Adding Routes And Directions

If you want to add a route or directions, click on the little icon that looks like your standard share icon, just below the search bar. That allows you to add a driving route, a walking route or a cycling route.

Say you’re staying in Lisbon and you want to get from the Fado Museum to the Lisbon Cathedral. You can select “add walking route” and then you’re automatically in draw mode . This mode allows you to just select two points on the map, and Google automatically find a route for you .

Or you can just press the ESC button on your keyboard, and then you can type in your starting point and destination.

The same goes if you want to add a driving or a cycling route – just select one of the two when you’re adding a new layer. However, you can’t add pins of places to layers with directions, and you can’t have more than one route on one layer. Which means that you can add 10 routes max to one map – and that’s why I prefer to have several maps.

Choosing Which Layers You Want To View

When you’re viewing a map with several layers, every pin and route you added in each of them is visible. If you want to view just one layer, you need to turn it off. On a computer, you can just uncheck the box next to the name of the layer , and it won’t show up on the map.

On your phone, you need to open up the Google Maps app, go to the settings menu (left of the search bar), and then Your Places –> Maps . The Maps menu is on the far right, and you might need to scroll a bit to get to it.

There you can see all of the maps you created. Select the map you want to edit, tap the “View Map Legend” at the very bottom, and then you can select which layers you (don’t) want to see.

Editing The Layers

To edit a layer, click on the three dots to the right of the layer’s name. There you have three options – you can rename the layer, delete it or view data table.

The first and second options are fairly straightforward – you can change the name of the layer or delete it if you’re not happy with it.

The third option allows you to mass edit the names and descriptions of your pins – useful if you want to add comments or notes to all of the places. You can also do this by clicking on individual pins on the map, if you don’t want to edit every single item.

Adding Pins

Adding pins is my favorite part. I like playing around with them and making my maps look colourful and quirky.

So you’ve added your Museums layer and now you want to actually pin some museums to the map. Use the search bar to type in the museum you have in mind, or find on the map and click on it. A card with important information about the place will pop up. Click on the ‘Add to map’ option in the bottom left corner of the card to add the pin to the map.

That adds a very basic blue pin to your layer. Want to spice things up? Click on the pin you just created, and then click on the bucket icon (Style) to the right of the coordinates. You can now change the color and the icon of your pin . If you click on the ‘more icons’ option, you can really get crazy with your maps.

You can filter the icons by category, or you can type in what you’re looking for. I wanted an icon for a museum, so I typed ‘museum’ in the search bar. I chose the icon that I liked the most, and painted it purple.

Editing Existing Pins

You can edit the pins by just clicking on them on the map, and selecting the Style option. That’s great if you’re adding things one by one, and doing different types of places on a single layer.

But if you’re doing a layer that’s just cafes, there is an easier way to mass edit the places. You can edit them from the menu on the left side of the screen – the style option is to the right of the name of each place.

The menu that appears when you click on the bucket icon is the same one that appears when you click on it directly on the pin – it’s just a bit smaller. You can now edit the color and the icon .

If you selected a custom icon, it should show up in the ‘other icons’ category at the bottom of the card. This is great if you don’t want to waste any time, because it is much quicker to edit multiple locations this way.

Changing the icon and the color of the pins is just one way of editing them. You can also add custom descriptions, your own photos, and you can even add directions to any pin you want. However, adding directions adds another layer to the map, so be aware of that.  

Working With Several Maps

I prefer creating several maps, because that means less restrictions. And I always create a map with only important places – our hotel, the airport, tourist office, police station etc. That way, in case of an emergency, you don’t have to mess with your phone and disable layers to find what you’re looking for.

If you like the idea of multiple maps, I think you will like my strategy.

First you want to categorize the places you want to visit. I usually do 4-5 categories – Food & Drinks, Places to See (monuments, buildings, parks etc.), Public Transport (bus, train, tram & subway stops), Shopping, Culture (museums, art galleries etc.). And then I do layers in each of the maps.

So, for the Food & Drinks map, I would have lots of different layers – cafes, pubs, fancy restaurants, bars, chain restaurants, patisseries etc. Like here:

This strategy works better for me – I don’t like planning out specific days, because that almost never works out. And with these maps, I don’t have to search through 6 different maps to find that one café I think everyone will love. It’s right there on the ‘Food & Drinks’ map, in the ‘Cafes’ layer.

Maybe this approach will work for you, maybe it won’t. But it’s definitely worth trying out.

Letting Google Do Most Of The Work

So, type in whatever you are looking for – I was curious to see which restaurants in Lisbon I should visit during my stay there. So , I typed in ‘Lisbon restaurants’. Here you can see that Google automatically selected 10 of them, but it’s up to me to decide if they are worth actually adding to the map.

This is useful if you don’t really have an idea of where you want to go eat – Google shows you the best rated spots, and some basic info about them . You can see the websites of restaurants in these maps, which allows you to easily check them out and decide whether or not you actually want to go there.

You can also type in “things to do in Lisbon”, and Google will automatically show you the locations with most reviews and highest ratings. This is extremely helpful if you’re a lazy planner, or if you have no idea where to begin. You can do this for museums, parks, cafes, parking lots, churches – whatever interests you the most.

Anyway, there are two ways to add these to the map/layer. If you want to add all of the location and fast, just click on the plus signs on in the left part of the map. From there you can easily edit any pin – just click on it, and the menu will pop up. Or you can add it place by place, like I showed you in a previous section.

Getting Directions On The Go

Forgot to add a route on your map? No problem. Open up the map on your phone and choose the place where you want to go on your map, and tap the Directions icon . The map will use your current location as a starting point (if you’re online), or you can add a different starting point if you like.

You can also type in the search bar ‘(point A) to (point B)’ and a path will appear in the map.

From there, you can also choose which mode of transport you want to take . And that’s one thing I absolutely love about Google maps – they know the tram and bus stops in my home town better than I do. Not to mention that they tell you when you can expect the next bus to arrive to your station, and which bus exactly you should take to get to your destination. In addition to that, the app also tells you how far you have to walk to and from the bus station, which is pretty great.

So, the options for transport are driving, public transport (bus, train, tram), walking and find a ride. The last one shows you the services of the country you are visiting and even displays the average price for that ride.

This is also why you don’t actually need to add layers with directions to your map – you can’t really use them when you’re not online anyway. And you can get directions to any place in just a couple of seconds, which is extremely convenient. Especially if you’re anything like me and just have zero sense of direction.

Asking for directions this way also gives Google’s AI a chance to check the traffic info, and displays which streets are busier than usual. And that is something the existing route on your map can’t do – you can’t really edit it, or see the stops. You can only see the path, but no specifics about it.  

You Made A Mistake?

There’s several ways to correct mistakes you made while making your map. There’s the undo button just below the search bar , which undoes the last things you changed.

The maps are also responsive to CTRL+Z on both Mac and Windows computers.

If you want to delete a specific pin, you need to select it on the map . The card will pop up – click on the trash bin icon in the bottom right corner . That will successfully delete the unwanted pin.

You can also (sort of) do this from the menu on the left. When you click on the style icon on the list, a pin of that place will appear on the map . And then just click the trash icon – useful if you’re not sure where on the map you will find the pin you’re trying to delete.

Deleting layers is also really simple. Click on those three dots next to the layers name, and select ‘Delete this layer’ . But be careful – this is one change you can’t undo.

Sharing The Maps

Sharing your Google Map itinerary is as simple as creating it. Click on the ‘Share’ option below the name of your map.

You should be prompted with a menu then. From here, there are three ways you can share your Google Map itinerary. You decide who has access to the map, and just how much access they have . If you want your friends to be able to edit the map, give them permission to edit. To do this, you need to click on ‘Change…’, and then you will be prompted with a different menu . 

So, how exactly do you share it? Just like any other Google document, you can either send a link to your friends (at the top of the card), or you can add them to the file. The latter option will notify them via email , and the map should appear in their own Google Map app immediately.

I find this to be a more convenient option, because somehow they always lose the link and I have to send it 15 different times. But they won’t lose the email.

You can also share the maps with the phone app. Find the map you want to share, open it up and select ‘view map legend’.

From there you can share it easily with your friends, but you can’t change the amount of access they have. That’s something that you can do only in the desktop version

Commemorating Your Trip

The maps you create will still exist when you come back from your trip. They’re a great way of preserving memories – you can add photos to places you visited, and even add notes if you want to.

Find the pin you want to add a photo to, and click on it . The card with the pin info should pop up – click on the camera icon in the bottom right corner . This allows you to add photos and even videos to the pin.

That’s an awesome trick to get your friends to actually share some photos with you. But, if you want them to be able to do this, you will need to give them permission to edit the map plan.

Using Google Maps App On The Go

If you just stumbled upon this guide today, and you don’t have the time to make a Google Maps itinerary plan, it’s okay! You can still use the app to help you make the most of your trip.

Travelling to Portugal? Be sure to check out our 10 Day Portugal Itinerary – now you don’t have to create your own map plan, because we did it for you!

I explained in detail how to get directions and routes when you need them urgently, so make sure to go back if you skipped that part. You can also use the maps to find interesting places to visit.

One of the easiest ways to get recommendations is to just type ‘things to do in [city_name]’ in the search bar within the app . You then get a list of the places with the highest ratings and with highest number of reviews.

Or you can always ask the AI what is close to you. Type ‘restaurants near me’ in the search bar, and the app will display all restaurants that are in your proximity. You can then check the ratings and review to see if one is to your liking.

And let’s not forget that the app pretty much stops you from getting lost . All you have to do is download an offline map of the city you’re travelling to, and you will be able to get around the city even without any internet connection . So, if you wander into an unfamiliar alley, your Google Maps might just stop you from getting lost.

Just note that you can’t download your Google Map itineraries for offline use. You can only do so with regular maps.

And that’s all for now. I truly hope you found this guide helpful – if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

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About the author roger timbrook.

Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!

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How to use Google Maps as a trip planner and make a full itinerary

• You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the "Places" and "My Maps" features.
• Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists, which you can then get immediate directions to.
• When getting directions, you can look up reviews and add multiple stops to your route.

Google Maps has become an essential part of any road trip. After all, it's a GPS, business directory, and reviews platform all-in-one.

But if you spend some time with it, you can integrate Google Maps even more seamlessly into your next vacation. Google Maps has a variety of features you can use to plan your trip and save any interesting spots you find on the way.

Here's how to make Google Maps your trip planner, using the Places feature, My Maps, and more.

How to use Google Maps as a trip planner

Use the 'places' feature to save points of interest.

Let's say you're traveling, and happen to stumble upon the cutest coffee shop you've ever seen. You want to visit, but don't have time right now — what's the best way to remember it?

Google Maps' Places feature can help you out. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save any location on the map to a list, which you can then easily find later.

1. Open Google Maps and click, tap, or search for the location that you want to save.

2. Find the Save icon , which has the icon of a bookmark. You'll find it right under the location's name, but you might need to swipe to find it in the mobile app.

3. Pick where you want to save the location to. You've got three lists to start with — Favorites , Starred places , and Want to go — but you can make a new one by tapping New list .

4. Once you've saved the location, you can find it again by opening the list. In the mobile app, tap Saved at the bottom of the screen; on the website, click the three stacked lines in the top-left and then Your places .

Tap on a location in your list to have the map jump straight to it.

Look at Google Reviews to find the best shops

Nearly every point of interest on Google Maps has a section for user reviews. Similar to sites like Yelp, these reviews can be a great way to see which stops are must-sees and which you can pass.

To check out reviews:

1. Open Google Maps and find the location that you're interested in.

2. At the top of its information page should be a star rating and a number, showing how many people have left reviews.

3. Scroll down until you hit the Reviews section, and you'll find reviews from other users who've visited the location. They'll include a star rating, a date, and occasionally a picture.

If you're interested in leaving a review of your own, check out our article on how to write Google reviews .

Make a custom My Maps page to share your road trip plan

Only available on a computer as of this month , Google's My Maps program lets you make a custom map or plot out a route with as many waypoints as you like, and then save and share it with others.

1. Head to the My Maps homepage and click Create a New Map .

2. You'll be given a world map. In the menu in the top-left, click the Untitled map name to give your map a name.

3. Use the search bar at the top of the page to find any location, then click Add to map to save it. You can add as many points of interest as you like.

4. You can also save multiple separate lists of locations to the same map; just click Add layer in the top-left menu.

5. To save directions between multiple locations, click the Add directions icon that looks like a curved arrow. It'll add a new layer that you can use to plot a path.

6. When you're done, click Share or Preview in the top-left window.

Add multiple stops to one trip

Driving from one city to another is simple. But if you want to make stops along the way — lunch, the beach, a mall — things get complicated.

Luckily, you don't need to start a new Google Maps route for every stop. You can create one navigation route that includes every stop from the start, giving you a clear way to see how long it'll all take.

1. Open the Google Maps app and start navigating to another location.

2. On the screen that lets you pick your starting and ending location, tap the three dot icon .

3. Select Add stop .

4. A third waypoint — labeled "B" — will appear. Tap it to choose your second destination, or drag it to reorder the waypoints.

On a computer

1. On the Google Maps app website, find a location and start getting directions to it.

2. Underneath the menu that lets you pick your starting and ending location, click Add destination . 

3. A new field will appear. Enter your third waypoint.

4. Once you pick a new waypoint, you'll be able to click Add destination again and pick another one, as well as reorder them.

You can add up to nine destinations on both the website and mobile app.

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• Main content

A Comprehensive Guide On How To Plan A Road Trip With Google Maps

• Last Updated: October 25, 2023

Want to embark on your favorite destination by planning a trip on Google Maps? Then, you have landed on the right spot.

Creating your travel itinerary is not a big deal when you have support from Google’s popular navigation app. And therefore, not surprisingly most travelers use it on the go.

Wondering how to make a custom Google Maps itinerary? Unsure where to get started for creating a route plan? Get ready, as we will teach you how to plan a road trip with Google Maps .

Table of Contents

Overview Of Google’s Navigation Apps

• Create A New Untitled Map
• Select a New Untitled Layer
• Generate a Route Map
• Review Your Generated Route Plan
• Access Map On Your Phone

Essential Tips for Multi-stop Trip Planning

Google Maps route planner is usually used for perfect road trip adventures. Be it a national park, sightseeing spot, or your favorite hill station; Google Maps is all you need to find the scenic route. 

The popular mapping platform works as the location finder, and to do so, you need to enter the address in the search bar. It will find the exact location in seconds along with details like the opening hours, reviews, distance from starting point, and approx. time.

Also, it will recommend must-see attractions surrounding the location. But, how well do you know that it is one of the best trip planning tools? Being a popular navigation app, it does not have all route planning options which means carrying out delivery operations could be a Himalayan task.

Alright, let’s begin with steps on how to use Google Maps to plan a trip with multiple stops .

Steps To Plan a Multi-stop Road Trip Using Google Maps App

Follow this step-by-step guide to plan a route for your road trip itinerary on Google My Map.

1. Create A New Untitled Map

Firstly, log in with your email into the Google account and go to Google Maps website > Your Places > Maps > Untitled Maps. Or else, open Google My Maps ( https://www.google.com/maps/d/ ).  It is recommended to use a navigation app on the desktop version while planning road trips. Then, open google maps, and click on the ‘create a new map’ button.

Rename the Route Plan

A default Google My Maps name should be replaced with the new map title. To do so, tap on the ‘untitled map’ and rename the title and description of the custom map from the pop-up window.

2. Select a New Untitled Layer

Renaming the route plan, now click on the ‘Add Layer’ or use the default untitled layer. Here, you can add directions layers as many as you want.

Just like renaming the route map in Google My Maps, you need to change the name of the new single layer. So, tap the custom icon from the right side and give a new name to the selected layer.

Add location markers

Thereafter, you can enter the nearby destination name in the home address to get the location or use the current location. Basically, you are adding location pins to your driving route.

3. Generate a Route Map

As you know route map consists of multiple stops between the start and the endpoint. Therefore, you need to continue adding the stops one by one. It’s quite similar to the ‘add location markers’ process. So, this is how you can generate a route map in 3-step.

Enter source and destination addresses

In the pop-up menu icon, enter the source and destination addresses in the search bar to automatically let the system find the fastest route. In case you want to change the address, click on the edit button placed in the top-right corner menu of the start/endpoint.

Include Additional Stops

Now, you can add multiple stops by selecting the ‘ Add Destination ’ option below the start and end destination. By doing so, an empty pop-up will display where you need to enter a new stop address. Similarly, continue adding the stops as many as you want. Here, you can even import the CSV file directly from your system.

Customize Route Map

Once you finish, add them to the directions layer, and if required, rearrange the stops as per your wish. At this stage, you can edit or delete stops as well. It would be the last step in generating the custom map for a road trip.

4. Review Your Generated Route Plan

In the next step, take a closer look at the generated route plan and review the additional map layers, whether they are arranged in the correct order or not. Also, recheck the start and endpoint while finalizing the route plan.

5. Access Map On Your Phone

Since you have finished editing the driving route plan, you can now download the map and get editing access on your mobile device by following the below steps.

• Open the Google Maps App on your smartphone,
• Sign in with your Google Drive Account,
• Select ‘more’ from the basic options menu,
• Click on the MAPS option to open a custom road trip map,
• Get your pre-generated route map.

Moreover, you can also access the offline Google Maps by installing maps.me app from where you will get the plan without readjusting the stops.

View a Route Map

Thereafter, the route map will automatically be displayed on your cell phone screen. So, you can access the map when you are ready for the trip.

Follow step-by-step driving directions

Later, when you click on the arrow icon (or direction icon), it will automatically start giving you the navigation instruction from the start point.

Here are some handy tips to adopt while planning routes.

• Ensure you enter the correct starting and ending times for a road trip itinerary.
• Choose the mapping platform that allows you a explore the street views.
• Also, the navigation app should allow you to access offline maps.
• Following the route optimization , double-check if you missed out to add any additional destinations.
• In case you have an upcoming road trip with more than 20 stops, get the online route planner for the planning of road trip itineraries.
• Use a route planner which can assist you according to driver preferences for your road trip adventure.
• Know if there are parking zones or open spaces available for your tour vehicle.

Customize Your Road Trip With Upper

Choose the most efficient way to organize a route plan. Get the Upper Route Planner to finalize your itinerary quickly.

The Upper Route Planner is designed for planning routes in the minimum time for the travelers like you. It assists you in generating route plans for road trips considering multiple road constraints, including traffic conditions, and keeps you updated regarding ongoing activities. In addition, you don’t even need to assign tasks to drivers manually as it has auto-assigning features which ease your delivery management . Thus, Upper Route Planner is the go-to app for route planning and optimization.

Yes, the online road trip planning tool offers the drag and drop option to import CSV files. You can try importing files for the custom map using a free trial at Upper Route Planner.

No, you can not reoptimize routes in the custom Google Map. However, you will need an advanced trip planner to plan and reoptimize routes quickly.

All in all, Google Maps is a great navigation app for planning an adventure trip. It provides multiple routes and step-by-step driving instructions to reach your final destination. But, what it really lacks is that you can add only a limited number of stops. 

Of course, planning routes on the Google Maps app is super easy. But, it can’t be said in terms of mapping accuracy, syncing data, and accessing custom maps. If you are okay with Google Maps functionalities, you should continue using it.

If not, you should get an online route planner for your road trip, which can be a long-term solution to your road planning issues. Utilize the feature-rich online trip planner to discover how it lessens your route planning job. Book a demo with Upper Route Planner and explore its segment-best features.

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.

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Plan your commute or trip

Find ways to get to relevant places.

• On your computer, open Google Maps . Make sure you’re signed in.
• Get directions to relevant places : Click a place in the list. You’ll get places based on your Gmail, Calendar, and recent travel history.
• Get directions to saved places: If you saved your work or home address in your Google Account, click Home or Work . You can edit your home or work addresses in your Google Account.  Learn how to set your work and home addresses .

Learn more about your surroundings

• Find places of interest: Click an option, such as Restaurants, Hotels, or More.

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• Travel Guide

How To Set Up A Road Trip On Google Maps

Published: November 26, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Wynne Quigley

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Embarking on a road trip is an exhilarating adventure, filled with endless possibilities and the freedom to explore at your own pace. And with the help of Google Maps, setting up your road trip has never been easier. Whether you’re planning a cross-country escapade or a weekend getaway, Google Maps provides a comprehensive platform to map out your journey, discover interesting stops along the way, and navigate with ease.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up a road trip on Google Maps. From planning your route to adding stops and attractions, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Google Maps is not just a navigation tool; it’s a powerful trip planner that allows you to create a personalized itinerary. By utilizing its features and functionalities, you can optimize your road trip experience and make the most out of every mile.

So, whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or a first-time traveler, let’s dive into the world of road trip planning with Google Maps and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Step 1: Plan your route

The first step in setting up your road trip on Google Maps is to plan your route. Start by opening Google Maps on your computer or mobile device and entering your starting point and destination in the search bar. You can simply type in the addresses or landmarks, or even use the voice search option for convenience.

Once you’ve entered your starting point and destination, Google Maps will display the most efficient route between the two points. You can choose the suggested route or explore alternative routes by clicking on the different options available. Take into consideration factors such as distance, travel time, and any specific preferences you may have.

Google Maps allows you to customize your route by adding waypoints. These are additional stops along the way that you want to include in your road trip. To add a waypoint, click on the three dots next to the destination field and select “Add stop” from the dropdown menu. You can add as many waypoints as you like, depending on the duration and flexibility of your trip.

Additionally, you can drag and rearrange the order of your waypoints to create the most efficient route. This feature is particularly useful if you want to prioritize certain stops or attractions during your road trip.

Once you’ve finalized your route, take some time to review it and ensure that it aligns with your travel goals. Consider factors such as driving conditions, traffic, and any specific points of interest you want to include or avoid. You can also explore additional options such as avoiding tolls or highways depending on your preferences.

With your route planned and waypoints set, you’re ready to move on to the next step of setting up your road trip on Google Maps. Get ready to mark your waypoints and add exciting attractions along the way!

Step 2: Mark your waypoints

Now that you have planned your route, it’s time to mark your waypoints on Google Maps. Waypoints are stops or attractions that you want to include in your road trip itinerary. These could be scenic viewpoints, historical landmarks, must-try restaurants, or any other interesting spots along your route.

To mark a waypoint, simply click on the map at your desired location or search for a specific address or landmark in the search bar. Once you have found a waypoint, click on it and select “Add to route” from the information card that appears. The waypoint will be automatically added to your road trip itinerary at the appropriate location.

As you mark your waypoints, feel free to customize them by adding labels, comments, or even photos. This will help you remember why you wanted to visit that particular spot and enhance your overall road trip experience.

Google Maps also provides additional information about each waypoint, such as reviews, opening hours, and contact details. Take advantage of this feature to make informed decisions about the places you want to include in your itinerary. You can access this information by clicking on the waypoint marker and selecting “More info” from the information card.

Remember to consider the duration of your road trip and the amount of time you want to spend at each waypoint. It’s essential to strike a balance between exploring and allowing enough time for driving and experiencing other attractions along the way.

If you decide to modify your waypoints or add new ones during your road trip, Google Maps makes it easy to do so. Simply click on the three dots next to the waypoint in your itinerary and select “Edit stop” or “Add stop” to make the necessary adjustments.

With your waypoints marked, it’s time to move on to the next step and customize your trip settings to match your preferences and needs. Get ready to personalize your road trip itinerary on Google Maps!

Step 3: Customize your trip settings

Customizing your trip settings on Google Maps allows you to tailor your road trip experience according to your preferences and needs. From setting your mode of transportation to adjusting the estimated travel time, these customization options help optimize your journey.

To access the trip settings, click on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the Google Maps interface and select “Settings” from the menu. From there, choose “Navigation settings” and you’ll find a range of options to customize your road trip.

The first setting to consider is your mode of transportation. Google Maps offers various options, including driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation. Selecting the appropriate mode ensures accurate directions and relevant information for your road trip. For most road trips, the default option of driving is ideal.

Next, you can choose to optimize your trip for the fastest route or the shortest distance. This decision depends on your priorities. If you want to reach your destination quickly, choose the fastest route. If you prefer a more scenic or leisurely drive, opt for the shortest distance.

Another useful customization option is the ability to avoid tolls or highways. This is especially beneficial if you want to save money on toll fees or take a more scenic route that avoids major highways. Simply toggle the respective options to avoid tolls and highways in your road trip directions.

Google Maps also allows you to adjust the estimated travel time for each waypoint. This feature is valuable if you plan to spend more or less time at certain attractions. By modifying the travel time, you can ensure a realistic itinerary that matches your desired pace.

Additionally, you can choose to receive real-time traffic updates during your road trip. This feature helps you navigate around traffic congestion and find alternative routes when necessary. Enabling real-time traffic updates ensures a smoother and more efficient journey.

Once you have customized your trip settings to your liking, it’s time to move on to the next step of adding stops and attractions to make your road trip even more exciting. Get ready to discover hidden gems along your route with the help of Google Maps!

Step 4: Add stops and attractions

Adding stops and attractions to your road trip itinerary is where the real fun begins! Google Maps provides a wealth of options to help you discover exciting places along your route and enhance your overall travel experience.

To start adding stops and attractions, first, make sure you are in the “Directions” mode on Google Maps. This will allow you to see the route overview and access the options for adding stops.

One way to add stops is to search for specific attractions or landmarks along your route. Use the search bar to find restaurants, parks, museums, or any other points of interest. You can also filter the search results by categories such as “Top-rated,” “Popular with locals,” or “Outdoor activities” to find attractions that align with your preferences.

Once you have found a desired stop or attraction, click on it to view more information. From there, you can select “Add to route” to include it in your road trip itinerary. The stop will be automatically incorporated into your route, and you can adjust its position by dragging it to the desired location.

Additionally, you can explore the “Explore” tab on Google Maps to discover new and interesting places nearby. This feature suggests attractions based on your location and allows you to filter the results based on various categories and preferences. It’s a great way to stumble upon hidden gems and local favorites during your road trip.

As you add stops and attractions to your itinerary, consider the duration of each visit. Some attractions may require a few hours to explore, while others may only require a quick stop for a photo opportunity. Take note of the opening hours, admission fees, and any other relevant details to ensure a seamless experience.

Remember that your road trip should be a balance of exploration and relaxation. Don’t overcrowd your itinerary with too many stops, as it can lead to rushed schedules and less time to truly enjoy each destination. Be selective and prioritize the attractions that resonate with you the most.

With your stops and attractions added to your road trip itinerary, it’s time to move on to the next step and determine your driving options. Get ready for a smooth and exciting journey with Google Maps as your trusted guide!

Step 5: Determine your driving options

Once you have planned your route and added stops and attractions to your road trip itinerary, it’s time to determine your driving options on Google Maps. This step allows you to customize your driving preferences and optimize your journey for a seamless and enjoyable experience.

To access the driving options, open your road trip itinerary on Google Maps and click on the “Options” button, which is represented by three dots at the top-right corner of the map view. From there, you can adjust various settings according to your preferences.

One important consideration is the routing preference. You can choose to follow the suggested route or explore alternative routes based on different criteria. For example, you can select the option to avoid highways or tolls, ensuring a more scenic or cost-effective drive.

Another driving option to consider is the ability to download maps for offline use. This is particularly useful if you anticipate areas with poor or no internet connectivity during your road trip. By downloading the maps beforehand, you can navigate seamlessly without relying on a stable internet connection.

Google Maps also provides real-time traffic updates, allowing you to avoid congested areas and find the fastest route to your destination. Enable this feature to stay informed about potential delays and plan your driving accordingly. This will help you save time and make the most out of your road trip.

Additionally, you can customize the voice guidance settings to your liking. Choose the desired volume level, language, and even the voice of your virtual assistant. These settings ensure clear and personalized directions, making your drive more enjoyable and stress-free.

Consider any specific driving preferences you may have, such as the speed at which you want to travel or the necessity for rest breaks. Take into account factors like your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, driving comfort, and safety to create a driving plan that suits your needs.

With your driving options determined, you are now ready to save and share your road trip itinerary with others. Let’s move on to the final step and ensure that your road trip is well-documented and easily accessible for future reference.

Step 6: Save and share your road trip itinerary

Now that you have planned your road trip on Google Maps and customized it according to your preferences, it’s time to save and share your itinerary. This ensures that you have a convenient way to access your trip details and allows you to easily share your plans with travel companions or friends and family.

To save your road trip itinerary, click on the “Save” button located at the bottom of the Google Maps interface. Choose a name for your itinerary and select “Save” to store it in your Google account. This will allow you to access the itinerary across different devices and even when you are offline.

Saving your itinerary also allows you to make any necessary edits or additions to your road trip plans at a later time. Whether you want to modify the route, add new stops, or adjust the driving options, you can easily access and update your itinerary whenever needed.

Sharing your road trip itinerary is a great way to keep everyone in the loop and get input from fellow travelers. To share your itinerary, click on the “Share” button located next to the “Save” button. You can select various sharing options, such as sending a link via email or messaging apps, or even sharing it directly on social media platforms.

Sharing your itinerary allows others to view your road trip plans, including the route, stops, attractions, and any additional information you have added. This can help in coordinating with travel companions, getting suggestions from others, or simply sharing your excitement about the upcoming adventure.

Additionally, by sharing your road trip itinerary, you can inspire and provide valuable insights to fellow travelers who may be planning a similar journey. Your experiences and recommendations can contribute to a collaborative travel community and help others make the most out of their road trips.

Don’t forget to save a backup copy of your itinerary, just in case. You can take screenshots, print it out, or save it as a PDF to have a physical or digital copy for reference during your road trip.

Now that you have saved and shared your road trip itinerary, you’re all set to embark on your adventure with confidence and excitement. Let the journey begin!

Planning and setting up a road trip on Google Maps is an efficient and user-friendly process that enhances the overall experience of your journey. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a personalized itinerary, mark waypoints, customize your trip settings, add stops and attractions, determine your driving options, and save and share your road trip plans.

Google Maps provides a powerful platform for road trip planning, offering accurate directions, real-time traffic updates, and a wealth of information about various points of interest along your route. With its features and functionalities, you can optimize your road trip experience, discover hidden gems, and enjoy a seamless navigation process.

Remember to strike a balance between exploration and relaxation when adding stops and attractions to your itinerary. Allow for flexibility and ample time to fully immerse yourself in each destination, ensuring a memorable and rewarding road trip experience.

Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country adventure or exploring local gems, Google Maps is your trusted companion, guiding you every step of the way. Its intuitive interface, customizable options, and ability to save and share itineraries make it an invaluable tool for road trip enthusiasts.

So, gather your travel companions, pack your bags, and hit the road with confidence. With Google Maps as your navigation ally, your road trip is sure to be filled with unforgettable moments, breathtaking views, and thrilling adventures. Happy travels!

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How to plan a road trip with Google Maps

Published on July 18, 2022

Planning a road trip can be daunting, but the process can be a cinch with the right tools and resources. By plotting travel locations into Google Maps, you get a birds-eye view of your itinerary, trip mileage, and driving times. Plus, you can load your custom map on your smartphone for turn-by-turn navigation. Here’s how to plan a road trip with Google Maps.

Read more:  Ten best road trip apps for Android

QUICK ANSWER 

To plan a road trip with Google Maps, open My Maps to create a custom itinerary. From there, you can pin multiple locations to stop at and add a unique description, draw driving routes, and share the map with others on your trip so that you are all on the same page.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS 

How to create a custom map for your road trip

How to pin locations on the map, how to draw a route with multiple stops.

• How to share your map and make it collaborative

To properly plan a road trip, you’ll have to create a custom map, which requires accessing Google Maps from a desktop. However, once completed, you can view your custom map on the Android or iOS apps.

To start, click the Menu in the top left corner of the screen and then Your Places . Select Maps on the far right tab and Create Map at the bottom of the list. This will bring you to a new page to create your custom map.

The first thing to do would be to give your map a name. Click where it says Untitled map in the upper-left box to open the Edit map title and description menu. Add a name and description for your map, and then click Save.

Next, select the theme for your base map. Different themes can be helpful for various purposes. For example, it might be beneficial to have a terrain layout for hiking trails, while planning driving routes with a basic Map or a Simple Atlas theme might be more precise.

Click the downwards-pointing arrow beside Base Map to choose your preferred theme.

Additionally, your custom map can be composed of multiple layers, each with unique details and destinations. You can add more layers by clicking Add layer in the top greyed-out bar and remove or rename layers by clicking the three dots beside their name.

Check out our complete guide for more details on what you can do with a custom map.

Pins help mark specific locations with unique descriptions. To add a pin, search for a place you’d like to go to, or you can click Add marker below the search bar to pinpoint a spot on the map.

Once you’ve placed your pin on the map, you can edit its title, description, and style to highlight important details. In this example, I’ve marked a ferry ramp with a departure time to Vancouver Island by clicking Edit . I’ve also customized the icon to reflect a vehicle ferry by clicking the paint-bucket icon.

You can draw a few types of routes on your custom maps, such as driving, walking, or bicycling routes. I’ll draw a driving course for this example and demonstrate adding additional stops.

First, click the Draw a line  icon beneath the search bar and then Driving route .

Next, select your starting point on the map. I’ve chosen my Ferry Ramp Arrival pin as my starting point in this example. Then, select your destination. For this example, I’ve chosen the small town of Chemainus. Google will automatically create a new layer with the fastest route between the two points.

To see the distance and time it will take to drive, click Step-by-step directions from the menu on your new layer.

Let’s say I want to stop for lunch along the way. You can add a stop to your driving route by clicking Add destination to plan just that. In this example, I’ve zoomed in on the map to find a highly-rated restaurant I want to visit.

From there, type in the name of the stop you want to add or click it on the map. Then, you can click or drag the stop to prioritize where you want to go first. In this case, I’ve moved my lunch stop from C to B since it will be in the middle of my visits.

Google will add the new stop to your custom map and update the step-by-step accordingly. You can add as many stops along your route as you wish.

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Find the best route when driving, with real-time updates on traffic jams, accidents, road closures and speed traps. You can also keep fellow drivers in the know by reporting incidents yourself

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Your Google Assistant is now integrated into Google Maps so you can message, call, listen to music and get hands-free help while driving. Say “Hey Google” to get started

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Get up-to-the-minute updates on busses and trains, like departure times and how crowded the bus is. You can also see where on the map your bus is so you know if you need to walk a little faster to the bus stop

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Every day you’re Safer with Google. We use the most advanced technology like differential privacy to protect your data and build helpful features - like seeing how busy a place is so you can avoid the crowd.

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You’re in control. With Your data in Maps , you can easily view and manage your Location History and other account settings. Location History is off by default. When you turn on Location History, it can help you with real-time traffic predictions for your commute or reminisce about places you’ve been.

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5 Google Maps Tips You Need To Know When Planning Your Next Trip

W hether a brief weekend escape or an extensive expedition across continents, planning a trip can be a daunting task. The challenge of selecting the ideal destinations, navigating through unfamiliar territories, and ensuring that you experience all the essential sights without overlooking anything, can quickly become overwhelming for any traveler. This is where online maps come into play, and one prominent tool that almost everyone has used at some point is Google Maps.

Google Maps goes beyond basic directions . It offers a suite of features designed to make trip planning not just easier, but also more enjoyable. You can map out itineraries, discover new attractions, get insights into local restaurants and services, and even find electric vehicle charging stations . The platform's real-time updates, user reviews, and detailed information on points of interest can help you make informed decisions while exploring new destinations. Moreover, its customization features allow you to create personalized maps that cater specifically to your travel plans, which are also shareable. Here are five essential Google Maps tips that every traveler should know. These tips will not only help you streamline your trip-planning process but also ensure that your travels are as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Read more: 12 Smart Gadgets You Didn't Know Existed

Utilizing Offline Maps

When you're heading out on a trip, one thing you definitely don't want to worry about is losing access to your maps when your signal drops. That's where offline maps come in handy. Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline use, ensuring you never get lost even when you're off the grid.

Downloading maps for offline use is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

• Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone or tablet. 
• Tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
• Choose Offline maps.
• Tap Select your own map in the following window.
• Drag the map window to your desired area.
• Select Download.

Depending on the size of the area you're downloading and your internet connection speed, this process may take a few moments.

Once the download is complete, you'll be able to access the map even without an internet connection. Offline maps are not only convenient, but they can also save you time and frustration. Imagine hiking in a remote area and losing your cell signal — having the offline map ensures you can still navigate your way back to your starting point without any hassle. This is also one of the many secret Google Maps features that can come in handy.

Customizing Your Route With Multiple Stops

We all have days packed with errands or sightseeing, where we just wish we could plan the routes efficiently. Google Maps allows you to do that by customizing your route with multiple stops. It's a nifty feature that can save you time and make your trips more organized.

Follow these steps:

• Open Google Maps on your device and enter your final destination.
• Click on the three buttons next to your starting point and select Add stop. 
• You can add multiple stops by repeating this step. 
• Rearrange stops by dragging the three lines next to each destination.

Now, Google Maps will calculate the most efficient route for you, taking into account all your stops along the way. This is perfect for those days when you have several places to visit or errands to run, but you want to make sure you're not zigzagging all over town. It can also save you time and fuel. Plus, it's a great way to ensure you don't forget any important stops along the way. 

When customizing your route with multiple stops on Google Maps, keep in mind to arrange your stops in a logical order to minimize backtracking and optimize efficiency. Additionally, consider traffic conditions and estimated travel times between each stop to plan your schedule accordingly. Lastly, ensure that all stops are accurately inputted to avoid any confusion or missed destinations along the way.

Taking Advantage Of Live Traffic Updates

This feature provides real-time information about traffic conditions, allowing you to avoid packed routes and save valuable time.

As you navigate with Google Maps, the app constantly monitors traffic conditions along your route. If there is heavy traffic, accidents, or road closures ahead, Google Maps will highlight the problematic area on the map using yellow or red markers.

To enable live traffic updates, open the Google Maps app and enter your destination. Once your route is set, Google Maps will display real-time traffic information along the way, including any incidents or slowdowns. You can then choose to follow the suggested route or explore alternative options based on the traffic conditions. 

When using live traffic updates on Google Maps, keep in mind to regularly check for updates throughout your journey to stay informed about changing road conditions. You can also report problems on the road yourself on Google Maps . Lastly, be flexible with your travel plans and prepared to follow alternative routes suggested by Google Maps to avoid congestion and minimize travel time.

By taking advantage of live traffic updates, you can make informed decisions about your route and avoid getting stuck in gridlock. Whether you're commuting to work or heading out on a road trip, this feature can help you reach your destination more efficiently.

Exploring Nearby Attractions And Restaurants

When you're in a new area, or even just exploring your own neighborhood, Google Maps can be a great tool for discovering nearby attractions and restaurants. 

To start exploring:

• Open Google Maps and zoom in on the area of your interest. You should see several options below the search bar, including Restaurants, Gas, Coffee, Shopping, ATMs, and more. 
• Click on the option you want to explore. For instance, if you are looking for places to eat nearby, select Restaurants to see a list of dining options in the area. Each restaurant will be marked with its location on the map, along with details such as the establishment's name, its rating, and sometimes photos or reviews. 
• Refine your search further by applying filters for rating and distance. 
• After selecting a restaurant that catches your interest, click on it to view more detailed information, including its address, hours of operation, contact details, and directions on how to get there. 

Google Maps also allows you to call the restaurant directly from the app if you wish to make a reservation or inquire about menu items.

You can explore all these categories by swiping right on the options pane below the search bar. To view the full list, click on the More button (three dots) at the very end.

Create A Custom Map To Share With Friends And Family

You can also easily create a custom map and share it with whoever you want on Google Maps. It's a great way to collaborate on travel plans, recommend must-visit places, or simply share your favorite local hangouts.

• Open Google Maps on your computer and sign into your Google account. 
• Click on the menu icon and choose Saved > Maps > Open My Maps. 
• Start a new map by clicking the Create A New Map button. 
• Give your map a title and a description that encapsulates the essence of your adventure or theme. This could be anything from "Family Road Trip to Yellowstone" to "Best Coffee Shops in New York City." 
• Populate your map with markers. Click on the marker icon, then click on the location on the map you wish to mark. For each marker, you can add a detailed description, upload photos, and even include links for more information. 
• Additionally, Google My Maps allows you to draw paths and shapes, perfect for outlining routes or highlighting areas of interest. 
• Once your map is ready, click on the Share button. Here, you'll be prompted to set the map's privacy settings. You can choose to make it public, share it with specific people, or keep it private with a link.
• Finally, invite your friends via email or simply send them the link.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

• Nation & World

Google unveils updates to make trip planning easier

Google Maps is launching new updates that are intended to make finding travel inspiration and local recommendations in your destination easier. Users will start seeing these lists of suggestions popping up in Google Maps in more than 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada this week. These updates will also be rolled out globally on Android and iOS mobile platforms later this month.

With this trio of updates, users can discover curated lists of local recommendations from other users and esteemed websites, customize their own lists and access key insights, making vacation planning a breeze and ensuring a seamless on-the-go experience. To access the new features, simply search for a city in Google Maps and swipe up to see curated lists of places from people who know the city inside and out. You’ll also see lists from such reputable sources as Lonely Planet, The New York Times and OpenTable.

And, when away from home, the question of where to eat is always top of mind. Now, whether you’re a traveler or just want to find a trendy spot in town, you can use new restaurant lists created by Google Maps. These lists will spotlight the eateries people are showing interest in or rating highly on Maps at the time. Google has sorted restaurants into three separate lists based on various criteria, creating indexes for trending, top-rated, and hidden gem locations.

The Trending list is updated weekly to spotlight places that experienced a recent spike in popularity on Maps, making it ideal for discovering the latest hot spots.

The Top list showcases the places that the Maps community has consistently shown love for. Use this list to find a neighborhood’s longstanding favorites.

The Gems list is for places that are considered an area’s best-kept secrets, highlighting great restaurants that still fly under the radar.

Creating Maps lists allows you to organize places you’d like to visit and places you’ve already been that you might wish to revisit. With the new lists format, users will also be able to more easily arrange their selections for easy reference, as they can now choose the order in which places appear. Simply move them up or down in whatever order you prefer to have them displayed. Users can also link in content from their social media streams, such as their own reviews of a certain venue.

Similarly, to give users a good sense of each place at a glance, Google’s AI pulls key insights to display from the Maps community. When you search a spot, you’ll see select photos and reviews that encapsulate what patrons love about it. The AI function can even help you identify the name of a particular dish and display helpful information based on a restaurant’s menu.

New design updates are also set to give Google Maps a fresh look, including a simplified home screen and new pin colors that make places on the map easier to find.

Trip-planning AI

Google has also just announced an update that’s coming to its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which will enable users to create travel itineraries and compile trip ideas using AI. This means that Google will be taking on other companies that are already applying the generative AI’s capabilities to help travelers plan their trips, such as Mindtrip and Layla.

To come up with its travel recommendations, Google’s AI engine relies upon information from sites across the internet, as well as photos, reviews and other specifics users have submitted about any given place. Conversationally, users can ask the AI something like “plan me a five-day trip to New York City that focuses on entertainment” and receive a sample itinerary that includes local restaurants, attractions and points of interest. Once you’ve constructed your ideal itinerary, you can export it to Gmail, or Google Docs or Maps.

This new capability is currently available only in the U.S. (in English) to those who are signed up for Google’s Search Labs program, which invites users to experiment with early-phase Google Search functions. The company has not stated if or when this function will become more widely available. According to TechCrunch, Google is not only testing out new realms for using generative AI, it’s also gathering data about consumers’ travel purchasing intent, which would support its wider ad business.

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If you’ve got an EV, Google Maps is about to become much more valuable

New updates address one of americans’ top concerns about owning an electric car: finding a place to charge.

Google has announced new features in its Maps app designed to help electric-car drivers find a charge.

The updates include a tool to help drivers find nearby chargers with real-time information about availability and charging speed, the ability to find charging stops on longer road trips and more detailed instructions about how to find chargers within parking lots and garages.

Google expects to start rolling out these features “in the coming months,” according to a blog post. Some will come first to people who drive a car that comes with “Google Built-in,” the company’s driver-assistance software. Google updated its other route-finding app, Waze, with information on EV chargers last month.

The update addresses one of Americans’ top concerns about owning an electric vehicle: finding a place to charge. Range anxiety remains a significant barrier for EV sales — especially for drivers who don’t own a house . Among people who don’t drive an EV, roughly half say they think finding a place to charge would be “extremely” or “very” difficult, according to a 2023 Washington Post-University of Maryland poll .

EVs make up roughly 7 percent of new U.S. car sales, which some experts believe is a tipping point at which electric cars will quickly become popular and take over the market. But lately, the EV market appears to be cooling off . Sales slowed in the first quarter of this year.

In addition to building more charging stations, companies can make driving an EV easier by building apps that help drivers find chargers, said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. “That could be really helpful with mitigating some of those concerns about charging anxiety,” she said.

Find available EV charging stations

For electric-car drivers who need a last-minute charge, Google is developing a feature that can find nearby chargers with updated information about how many ports are available and their charging speed. The company says this feature will eventually be available to all drivers but will be available first for drivers with Google Built-in.

Plan a road trip with EV charging stops

The Maps update will allow EV owners with Google Built-in to plan where they can power up when taking long trips with multiple stops, such as a cross-country road trip. The feature will access information about your car’s battery life to suggest the best places to charge up.

The company also announced a search feature that allows travelers to look for hotels with electric-car chargers.

Locate hard-to-find EV charging stations

Some EV chargers are tucked in hard-to-find corners of parking garages. The Maps updates will crowdsource information from Google reviewers to generate more detailed instructions about how to get to a charger. According to the company’s blog post, the instructions might read something like, “Enter the underground parking lot and follow the signs toward the exit. Just before exiting, turn right.”

New ways to power up your electric vehicle adventures with Google Maps

Apr 17, 2024

[[read-time]] min read

In time for Earth Day, we’re making it easier to find information about EV charging stations, whether you’re planning a drive or already on the road.

• Bullet points
• Google Maps introduces new features to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging experiences.
• AI-powered summaries provide detailed descriptions of charger locations based on user reviews.
• In-car maps display nearby chargers with real-time port availability and charging speed.
• Suggested charging stops and forecasted energy consumption for multi-stop trips.
• EV filter on Google Travel helps find hotels with onsite EV charging.
• Basic explainer

Google Maps has new features to help electric car drivers find charging stations.

You can now see detailed descriptions of where chargers are located, like "Enter the underground parking lot and follow the signs toward the exit. Just before exiting, turn right."

You can also see nearby chargers on the in-car map, with information like real-time port availability and charging speed.

If you're planning a trip, Google Maps will suggest the best charging stops along the way, based on your battery's charge level.

Explore other styles:

Electric vehicle ownership is on the rise, which means more people are looking for ways to charge their car — whether they’re on the go or planning their drive. To help EV owners access more helpful information about charging stations, we’re rolling out new features for Google Maps and Search. With these updates you can easily find specific information about the location of EV chargers, plan charging stops for road trips and more.

Easily find exactly where charging stations are located

Navigating to charging stations and finding exactly where the chargers are located — like the right area of a multilevel parking lot — can be tricky. In the coming months, we’ll start showing AI-powered summaries in Google Maps that describe a charger’s specific location based on helpful information from user reviews, so you can find exactly where to go. For example, when you’re headed to a charging station you may see a detailed description, like “Enter the underground parking lot and follow the signs toward the exit. Just before exiting, turn right.”

This information is possible thanks to the millions of reviews posted every day in Maps, which help provide accurate and up-to-date information about places like charging stations. To help make these even more useful, reviews about chargers now prompt you for additional details about your experience, like what type of plug you used and how long you waited.

Find the best charger for you while you're on the go

We’re also thinking about other ways we can give people helpful EV charging information at a glance. For example, if you’re low on charge while on the road or you need to top off while running errands, soon you’ll be able to see nearby chargers on the in-car map, with information like real-time port availability and charging speed. This update will roll out globally, starting with vehicles with Google built-in the coming months.

See suggested charging stops, forecasted energy consumption and more when you plan a trip

In addition to showing you where chargers are at a glance, we want to help you take more complex trips easily. Last year we announced that Maps suggests the best charging locations for vehicles with Google built-in. This capability is expanding to multi-stop trips. So if you're planning a multi-stop summer road trip to several national parks, Maps will suggest the best charging stops along the way, based on your battery’s charge level. This feature will be available globally in the coming months for vehicles with Google built-in.

And if you’re planning overnight stays, we’ve got you covered, because the last thing you want to do after a long day of driving is hunt around for a charging station. With our new EV filter on google.com/travel you can find hotels on Search that offer onsite EV charging.

Whether you’re planning a summer road trip or looking for a last-minute charge, Maps and Search can help you find the charging information you need.

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More From Forbes

Google announces new features for travel.

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Google has announced several new features for Google Maps and Google Search aimed at helping people find less carbon-intensive ways of traveling and commuting.

One of the key additions is a new EV filter on google.com/travel, enabling users to locate hotels that offer onsite EV charging facilities. Additionally, numerous updates have been made on Maps to facilitate the discovery of charging stations.

When planning a trip, users will now have access to suggested charging stops, forecasted energy consumption, and more.

Google Map EV Charger Stations Updates

Furthermore, in addition to the EV updates, Google Maps will now assist users in finding lower-carbon travel alternatives.

Highlights from Googles Press Release: More sustainable ways to commute & travel:

• Driving alternatives in Google Maps: When people look up driving directions, we’ll soon show a public transit or a walking suggestion next to driving routes, if travel times are comparable and practical (coming to 15+ cities).
• Trains & buses in Google Search: You can now see train schedules & ticket prices directly in Search, for rail travel in 38 countries around the world (including the US), as well as long-distance buses in 15 countries. This is an expansion of an existing feature.
• Train suggestions on Google Flights: In the months ahead, when you’re on Google Flights and there’s a reasonable rail alternative, you’ll see train route suggestions in the flight search results. This builds on similar suggestions we already show in Google Search for flight queries.
• Travel Impact Model: You can already see estimated emissions in Google Flights, powered by our Travel Impact Model methodology. Now, estimates from the Travel Impact Model are also available through a developer API , a Google Sheets extension and a calculator on the TIM website .

Electric vehicles:

• Google Maps (all features coming soon):
• EV Charging Station Pins: We’ll highlight nearby EV charging stations for in-car Maps, with information about station availability and charging speeds.
• AI-powered summaries for EV charging stations: AI summaries from user reviews will better help users pinpoint charging stations.
• Multi-waypoint EV trip planning: When users create a multi-stop trip, in-car Maps will suggest required charging stops.
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Best way to get from myrtle beach from toronto - Road Trips Forum

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Anyone do the drive from toronto/buffalo to myrtle beach in July. What's the best route.. google maps is showing 2 options with similar times...i79 to i77 to NC or the other way through Washington. Which route has the least amount of traffic and is an easier drive. Already booked a hotel in wyethville as want to drive about 10 hours the first but am thinking the other route might be a bit faster.

7 replies to this topic

You could take I-79 to I-77, and to I-74.

The trip is about 14 hr 7 min without stops via I-79 S.

The DC route regularly has the most traffic. Wytheville will take you longer than 10 hours once you consider gas, food, potty and border stops. Look at cute Staunton or Lexington VA for an overnight.

Thank you! Going to stick with wyethville as we got a great deal on a hotel for that time. Any suggestions on good places to stop for rest breaks along that route?

Pennsylvania Welcome Center (I-90)

I-79 Southbound West Virginia Welcome Center

Rocky Gap Virginia Welcome Center

North Carolina Welcome Center

I-73/74 Visitor Center - Southboun

M B Official Welcome Center

It depends on what you want to see and your timing like hitting a larger city at stopping point.

Got me Buffalo to myrtle beach shows 3 routes

I’m a buffalo/ Niagara Falls native

Going 90/79 to Pittsburgh then 77 to beckley. Buffalo to beckley is about 7 hrs driving. Morgantown, WV south of pittsburgh is a lityke over 4 hrs from buffalo. Therr is a US 19 shortcut to beckley you can take but you don’t want this done in dark. If you might get in late go 79 to Charleston, ev snd nightbthere, thrn take 77 in thr am.

Beckley is not far from new river gorge national park.

Beckley to myrtle beach is about 6 hrs eherls turning.

The other 2 ways take you into the metro DC area

One route has you go US 219 thtough Pennsylvania then I-99 to Altoona then through breezewood he!! To DC on 70/270.

Thr other route you go 90 east to bativia thrn NY 63 SEcto I-390 to NY17/I-86 thrn US 15 south thru harrisburg to Frederick thrn 270 to DC

Either route your stop for the night would be in thst area of southern, PA/ Maryland. Next day you’d go I-95 to myrtle beach.

An alternate to this is bypass the immediate DC traffic. For example you can go US 522 from southern PA to just west of Richmond then 64/95

From Harrisburg you coukd go 83 south to Baltimore thrn 97 south to US 50/US 301 thrn follow US 301 to just north of Richmond where you can cut over onto 95.

To add….you can stsy onnUS 15 from Fredrick into northern Virginia and air US 15 to culpepper thrn take US 522 to 64, this bypasses most of dc traffic driving in the exurb areas

Straight down I-79 in WV to Hwy 19 to I-77 to I-74 in NC and on from there is the best way. (Nothing wrong with Hwy 19 in the dark as a previous poster has mentioned. Doubt you would be driving that in the dark anyway)

You posted a similar question in the Myrtle Beach Forum page and those answers still hold....

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g54359-i25-k14709979-Road_trip_from_Toronto-Myrtle_Beach_South_Carolina.html#120314601

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Map shows London Marathon route map and road closures for 2024

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Thousands of people will be making their way into the capital today for this year’s London Marathon.

Crowds of people will be supporting the runners as they take on the 26.2 mile course through the city.

The course will set off in Blackheath and will take the runners past such sites as the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Canary Wharf, The Shard and Tower Bridge, before finishing up at St James’s Park.

There will of course be travel disruptions and road closures today, so read on to find out where you can expect them and from what time.

Which roads will be closed for London Marathon 2024 and at what times?

Which roads are closed for the marathon?

Here are the closures to be mindful of:

• Charlton Way, Greenwich: 4am to 1pm
• Shooters Hill Road: 4am to 1pm
• St John’s Park: 7am to 1pm
• Charlton Park Road: 7am to 1pm
• Old Dover Road: 7am to 1pm
• Little Heath: 7am to 1pm
• Charlton Park Lane: 7am to 1pm
• Artillery Place: 7am to 1pm
• John Wilson Street: 7am to 1pm
• Woolwich Church Street: 7am to 2pm
• Woolwich Road: 7am to 2pm
• Trafalgar Road: 7am to 3pm
• Creek Road: 7am to 3pm
• Evelyn Street: 8am to 4pm
• Surrey Quays Road: 8am to 4pm
• Salter Road: 8am to 4pm
• Brunel Road: 8am to 4pm
• Jamaica Road: 8am to 4pm
• Tower Bridge: 8am to 7pm
• The Highway (south side): 8am to 7pm
• Narrow Street: 8am to 7pm
• Westferry Road: 8am to 7pm
• East Ferry Road: 8am to 7pm
• Marsh Wall: 8am to 7pm
• North Colonnade: 8am to 7pm
• Poplar High Street: 8am to 7pm
• Commercial Road: 8am to 7pm
• The Highway (north side): 8am to 7pm
• Byward Street: 7.30am to 8.30pm
• Upper Thames Street: 7.30am to 8.30pm
• Victoria Embankment: 7.30am to 8.30pm
• Birdcage Walk (westbound): 6am on April 21 to May 18
• Birdcage Walk (eastbound): 7.30am on April 22 to May 18

There will be closures right across the route of the London Marathon occurring at separate times throughout the day.

For more information on road closures, download the official guide from the  TCS London Marathon website .

London Underground on marathon day

The  London Underground , London Overground and Docklands Light Railway are running extra services throughout marathon day and are recommended as the best way to get around to keep up with the race action.

Due to the nature of the day, expect services to be busy with crowds of spectators along the route.

Stops near the Marathon route are likely to be very busy, especially the Jubilee, Circle and District lines, and the DLR.

Latest London news

• 'Blood-covered' horse runs through central London after throwing soldier off
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To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk's London news hub .

Transport for London is encouraging everyone to plan their journeys in advance and check the  TfL website  or TfL Go app for the latest travel information.

London Marathon 2024

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Buses on marathon day

Bus routes along the route of the marathon will either be diverted or will not run the length of their usual journey until the roads are back open.

If travelling by bus on the day, visit  tfl.gov.uk/bus/status  to see if your bus route is affected.

What time does the London Marathon start?

The race will kick off at around 8.30am with professional athletes leading the way.

The rest of the runners will then set off in waves from rom 10am to 11.30am, with gaps in between to allow the course ahead to clear. All start lines will be closed by 11.30am. 

Start waves and times are allocated based on runners’ predicted finish time, which will have been given to organisers ahead of time.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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