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How to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps + More Tips

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Wondering how to plan a road trip with Google Maps? You are at the right spot. In this post, we will be sharing a step-by-step guide to using Google Maps on your desktop and phone, plus other trip planning and itinerary tips. 

Note: These images/screenshots were taken from Google Maps and are used in this guide for illustrational purposes only.

Post Contents

How to Plan a Road trip with Google Maps

Travel planning can get overwhelming. There are so many tools, apps, and resources out there. Truth be told, you only need 1-3 applications for travel inspirations, plotting an itinerary, and keeping track of all these activities

Of all the resources we use, Google Maps is the most powerful. And in this guide, we are sharing our secrets to crafting that epic road trip or weekend trip itinerary, to make the most of your vacation. 

This post contains a tutorial and additional tips to planning your road trip. 

Decide where you want to go on a road trip

So, your first step is to make a bucket list of places you want to see or the route you wish to embark on for your road trip. It might be a tough choice deciding on where to go. For inspiration, you can check out our itineraries , or use Pinterest (our second trip planning tool).

What to see on your Road Trips?

A good way to narrow down on the road trips, depends on your travel style. When embarking on a road trip, we prefer mountains and pristine lakes, with small towns (for breaks and affordable accommodation), tons of small museums, and sightseeing. 

For you it could be a road trip through major cities, or outdoorsy activities – from camping, hiking to water sports. 

Once you know where you want to go plan it on Google Maps

Google Maps are an amazing tool to plan and plot your road trip itinerary. You can create the map on your Google account (on the desktop/laptop) and then view it on your phone. You will need wifi or cell connectivity to view it. 

To plot the itinerary, open Google Maps, then save your starting point. Use the ‘direction’ option to get from road A to B. Repeat these spots to keep adding all the places you want to visit on your road trip (more details below).

Also, add your hotel, any attractions you wish to visit inside a city or national park. When you click the location on your phone or computer, you will see the opening hours, reviews if any.

Step by Step Directions to using Google Maps to plan a road trip and more 

Step 1: log in to your google account, and create a new map for your road trip.

Your first step is to log in to your preferred Google email account, and then go to the MAPS option (on your desktop/laptop). You can find the MAPS option by clicking on the circle near the account name. 

Or you can use this link to login.

When you open the link (and you are signed into the Google Drive account or your Gmail), click on the ‘3 dashes’ on the left hand side. This will open a list of options on the left hand side, as you can see below. 

Choose ‘Your Places’, to open an ‘Untitled Map’ or brand new map. 

When I choose ‘Your Places’, it shows up my previous maps that I had created (both private and public maps I created). 

Next, choose ‘Create Map’. The image is that of a new map. You can see options like ‘Add Layer’, ‘Share’, ‘Preview’ and ‘layers’.

Now it is time to customize and rename the Map. We use Google Maps to plan and plot our itineraries. For the purposes of this itinerary, let’s name it a Canadian Rockies road trip .

We renamed the map and using the ‘search’ functionality we can start adding attractions, hotels, restaurants, anything and everything we want to cover (and keep track of) in the upcoming road trip. 

Step 2: Adding attractions, hotels and restaurants to the custom Google Map for the road trip

Continuing from Step 1, you can use the search bar to add attractions and sites that you are interested in adding to your itinerary. As I mentioned before, I use Pinterest, and other search and photo platforms for inspiration.

You can color code the attractions to keep them categorised. We categorise them based on 

• Attractions: They include photo spots, iconic landmarks, museums, parks, etc.
• Food & Restaurants: For fast-food chains, groceries, etc.
• Hotels & Accommodation: It includes where we are planning to book accommodation

To use the option to change the colors, do the following

• Search the destination/attraction/landmark
• Add it to the map
• Then click on the options below the address to change color or the icons 
• You will see it change on the left hand side, in real-time

In the above image, we have listed all the restaurants in Banff, color coded by breakfast, lunch and dining. 

You can do the same by different categories (food, hotel, attractions, to name a few). You can create as many as you can inside of the single map layer. However, on a single layer, it is better to stick to 5-15, so that you can see the spots properly without any issues.

This method is extremely useful when you are in the planning or inspiration stage and want to keep track of your road trip bucket list!

Step 3: Use a second layer in Google Maps for Directions

We use the second layer inside of Google Maps to add directions. On the desktop it is easy to see what and which attractions are located close to each other, allowing you to manage your time and drive efficiently. 

Based on your interests, you can narrow down the sightseeing to the chosen few, and add restaurants and hotels. Google Maps will automatically choose the best route possible on your phone, when you are road tripping.

Again, using Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary, we use 2 layers

• The first layer is sightseeing
• The second one is for the directions layer
• You can add directions from the option listed under the ‘search bar’

When you click the three dots, you can see the exact directions and time/duration for getting from Point A to B.

In the example above, to get from Banff Avenue to Banff Sightseeing Gondola, it will take 12 minutes.

Step 4: Save the Google Custom Map, and access that on your smartphone

Now we have created the directions, and saved the sightseeing spots on the desktop using Google Maps. 

In order to view the same on your smartphone, you must download the Google Maps app, and ensure you have wifi or cell phone data on, to access it. Once you have the Google Maps downloaded on your phone, search for the route you have created on the desktop.

• From Google Maps App, choose ‘SAVED’ (located at the bottom of the phone screen)
• Choose the preferred map. In this example, we choose Canadian Rockies 
• When you choose the map, you will find the 2 layers we created (sightseeing and directions)

Note that you do need internet connectivity to check these routes. 

You can also use Google Maps, as a GPS too (with or without cell connectivity).

For use as GPS, ensure you have GPS settings on, on your phone (Settings > Google Maps > Location > select “Always”) .

Step 5: Use of offline Maps

As far as offline Google maps go, you can download a city map for general directions. Just make sure you have offline maps enabled and save it ahead of your road trip, as sometimes cell tower connectivity in parks and country-side may not be that great. 

In order to access the custom Google map we created – offline, use a secondary application – Maps.me to view the map.

It is an app that you can download on your smartphone. Once you are in, you can create a map list, and export the ‘saved file’ to import all the sightseeing spots and directions, and download it.

You can also download full city maps, and share with others.

How to plan a road trip? Additional Tips

Here are additional tips and factors to consider when planning your upcoming road trip

When are you planning to travel for your road trip?

Whether it is a city bound road trip or a journey through our national/provincial parks, it is important to make note of the seasons. Countries that experience all four seasons, you must be wary of road conditions, route closures, operating hours of sightseeing attractions and businesses. 

We love road tripping in the fall and the winter season here in Canada.  

• Summer – Summers are a great time to embark on a road trip. You can easily break for walks or short hikes in the summer, and also go camping as the weather is favorable, and most campgrounds open. If you are hitting the popular national parks and cities, ensure you start early to beat the traffic rush.
• Winter – Driving in winters can be tricky. Make sure to listen to local news alerts and winter driving regulations prior to starting your road trip. Also add in additional travel time due to the road conditions, poor visibility, etc. on certain routes. 
• Spring and fall – Fall is our favorite time to visit as the weather is still warm, and attractions not too crowded. Late spring is amazing for road trips too. Finding accommodation in cities and small towns during this time will be easy (and fewer crowds). One thing to keep in mind is that during crossover months the weather can be very tricky. 

Accommodation: Hotels, RV, Campervan, Camping

When you are road tripping, there are tons of options for accommodation. We like to plan our trips in advance, so we book hotels, Airbnbs and reserve campsites prior to hitting the road. 

Here are some of the accommodation options, 

• Hotels & Lodges : Whether it is a country-side, city or national park, you can book a hotel, lodge, an Airbnb or a cabin for your accommodation. Book them ahead of time, especially during peak seasons. 
• RV & Campervan: One of the popular ways to explore national parks, or enjoy slow travel while road tripping is on a campervan or an RV. Almost every city will have an RV renting place, from where you can book an RV and save money on hotel accommodation. It is also a nicer alternative if you do not own a lot of camping gear.
• Camping: If you are planning to camp overnight, ensure you reserve camp-sites when bookings open for the season. And of course, ensure you carry the right camping gear for your trip. You do not need to reserve for day camp sites (like picnics as part of your road trip), especially in provincial parks in Canada or state parks in the US. 

Road Trip Essentials 

Here is a list of items to pack for your road trip 

• Clothes & Comfortable shoes – Pack 2-3 sets of clothing, depending on the duration of your road trip. Comfortable shoes are a must, they are helpful while you are behind the wheel or taking rest stops (for a stroll) or out and about exploring
• Warm clothes (for winter) – While driving in Canadian winters, don’t forget warm clothing from a parka, warm socks, gloves, beanies. 
• Hand warmers are great little items to keep inside the car
• Travel Mug – Coffee and tea lovers, pack your travel mug, and refill it on the go!
• Water bottle – Super important, carry your water bottle. Stay hydrated!
• Healthy snacks – Munch them if you are hungry, whilst feeling light!
• Medications, hand cream, chapstick 
• Emergency car kit – An emergency car kit is essential should things happen on the road. You can create one from scratch or buy one pre-pack from Amazon
• Emergency first aid kit – Check the first aid kit inside the car (check for expiry dates). If you don’t have one, here is one that you can buy from Amazon
• Flashlight – Super handy if you are camping or even driving overnight
• Dashboard mount for phone or GPS – Go hands-free while you are driving. Use a dash mount to keep your phone or GPS for navigation. 
• Charging cables – Unless your car has cable-free charging, it is important to pack one for your road trip. Buy a car charger here
• Playlist – No road trip is complete without an amazing playlist. Save it on iTunes, or your iPod. 
• Cell-phone – Don’t forget your cell-phone. Stay connected with family, let them know where you are heading. Store the hotel or campsite contact information, plus roadside assistance number for emergencies. 
• Car freshener – Refresh your car, using a refresher. 
• Road trip games – License plate, sing-along, card games (for kids)
• Car & Travel insurance – Car insurance is essential, so is travel insurance if you are traveling from overseas. For the car, you can also secure insurance with the rental company when you pick up the vehicle

Getting Ready: Checklist prior to your trip

Just before you start for your road trip, preferably a few days prior, ensure you do a quick run-down and check your vehicle. 

If you are renting a car, the rental company usually takes care of the car maintenance. But it is your responsibility to take note of any dents/scratches to report to the company later, plus record the mileage. 

For your car, do the following a few days (to a week) prior to your embarking on the road trip

• Clean your car prior to your trip
• Get it to the servicing center, if needed
• Ensure your license/registration has not expired
• Inform friends/family about your trip
• Don’t forget navigation systems/Google maps (make them accessible from your car seat)
• Save all the information phone numbers, hotel and sightseeing addresses, tour passes, etc

Mistakes to avoid while road tripping

After embarking on many road trips in Canada and the USA, here are our hacks and tips,

1. Not taking ample breaks 

It is crucial to stop and take breaks on your road trips. In Canada, there are gas stations, convenience shops, and rest-stops where you should stop by to take a break. Washrooms are also free to use in gas stations here. 

2. Rushing, and not allowing enough time 

While road tripping, go slow and soak in the views. Stop for a break, if needed. Eat, stretch your legs – that is the fun for taking on road trips.

3. Follow a loose itinerary

To enjoy a road trip to the fullest, don’t plan everything to the T. Have a rough idea about the route, attractions covered, but don’t be afraid to stop at a place longer if you like. 

We do recommend not to drive away endlessly for safety reasons. It is important to know of the next stop, be aware of the gas tank level, and the time of day and not derail completely. 

4. Not booking hotels or camp reservations 

To avoid last minute hassles, don’t leave hotel and campsite booking for the last minute. Last minute could be expensive. And during peak seasons, you may not even find a vacant hotel room in most national parks.

Plus campsites are hard to get if you don’t reserve ahead of time.

5. Not grabbing snacks or good music

Healthy snack items are a good idea if you are not planning for a meal stop on your road trip. We keep health/nutrition bars, coconut water and some candies. Don’t forget water!

And a good playlist (or podcast) is crucial to keep everyone inside the vehicle happy and jolly!

Use of Google Maps for walking tours, and trip planning 

Other than using Google Maps for road trips, we extensively use it for planning our walks in Europe (while sitting here in Canada), and also map out distances, time/duration and other stops in the itinerary. 

When exploring Europe, we use a mix of public transportation, guided and self guided walking tours, and we walk a lot! 

So from arriving at the airport, to getting to the right terminal for trams or trains to our day to day itinerary we pin everything to Google Maps. 

I take a lot of screenshots of maps and directions and save them in a folder on my phone. I am a planner, and doing so allows me to visualize and be empowered as to which way do we need to go, how much time will it take to get there, money to budget, etc. 

In the above image, you can see how to get from the airport in Barcelona to the hotel via metro trains. It includes terminal information, duration, etc.

Or this one, which was how to get from La Rambla to Bunkers del Carmel. We follow this route, and this way we are not wasting any time (other than stopping for food, or photos here and there :))

And this is another one, with all the sightseeing spots, and directions (first and the second layer on the desktop). 

So, there you have it. This is our route planner for itineraries and road trips. Google My Maps have worked wonderfully well for crafting our adventures, and it is completely FREE to use. 

Don’t forget to create your own travel map with Google, and give it a try! Have questions, let us know in the comments below.

Other trip planning guides

• How to plan a weekend trip
• What to pack for a weekend getaway
• How to save and start a travel fund

Pin: Google Maps: Best Road Trip Planner

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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How to Plan a Route with Google Maps

Last Updated: August 10, 2022

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Google Maps can be useful to navigate through a new location or place. You can also use it to find the best route or route alternatives, and plan your trip accordingly. You can get turn by turn directions, and different routes depending on your method of transportation. You will also be able to tell how long it will take you to get to your destination.

• A list of possible results will drop down. Click your selection, and the map will automatically expand to show you the routes from this starting location to your destination.

• Repeat this step for all the other stops you will make in the same trip.

• For driving—If you’re driving, click the car icon on the toolbar. This is generally the default route.
• For transit—If you are commuting via bus, train, subway, or other public transit, click the train icon on the toolbar. The routes on the map will slightly change to accommodate all public transit routes.
• For walking—If you’re walking, click the pedestrian icon on the toolbar. The routes on the map will slightly change to accommodate walking routes.
• For cycling—If you’re biking or cycling, click the cycling icon on the toolbar. The routes on the map will slightly change to accommodate safe biking routes.

• Metro—You can identify metro or subway stops by the blue “M” icon on the map.
• Hotel/motel—You can identify hotel and motels by the brown bed icon on the map.
• Coffeehouse—You can identify coffeehouse locations by the orange coffee cup icon on the map.
• Restaurant—You can identify restaurant or fast-food locations by the orange spoon-and-fork icon on the map.
• Bank—You can identify bank locations by the blue dollar icon on the map.
• Shopping center—You can identify shopping center or store locations by the blue handbag icon on the map.
• Market. You can identify grocery or market locations by the blue shopping cart icon on the map.
• Church—You can identify church locations by the brown church icon on the map.
• Park—You can identify park locations by the green tree icon on the map.
• Hospital—You can identify hospital locations by the red “H” icon on the map.
• School—You can identify school locations by the brown hat icon on the map.
• Library—You can identify library locations by the brown book icon on the map.

• A list of possible results will drop down. Tap your selection, and you will be shown the best transportation method and route from your starting location to your destination, with the total distance and time. Most of the time this will be via car or rail, since these are the faster options.

• Driving—If you’re driving, tap the car icon on the toolbar.
• Transit—If you commuting via bus, train, subway, or other public transit, tap the train icon on the toolbar.
• Walking—If you’re walking, tap the pedestrian icon on the toolbar.

• Hotel/motel—You can identify hotel and motel locations by the brown bed icon on the map.
• Restaurant—You can identify restaurant or fast-food locations by the orange spoon and fork icon on the map.
• Shopping center—You can identify shopping center or store locations by the blue hand bag icon on the map.
• Market—You can identify grocery or market locations by the blue shopping cart icon on the map.
• Hospital—You can identify hospital locations by the red H icon on the map.

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The Best Free Driving Directions and Map Websites and Apps

Google Maps

Aaa driving directions, rand mcnally online driving directions.

With the near-ubiquity of GPS systems built into cars and smartphones, apps have overtaken pesky, hard-to-fold paper maps and even printable online driving directions as travelers' go-to tool for finding their way on the road. Still, there are times when it makes sense to have a mapping backup in case of spotty cellphone reception or even to plot your own scenic route. Since most driving directions websites and apps are free, you can afford to double up. Choose wisely with this look at the best options.

The accuracy of Google's detailed road maps is unparalleled, which is helpful if you'd like to plot a scenic route rather than driving on interstate highways or avoid toll routes (where possible). This is easily the best free online driving directions tool, thanks to Google's massive project to map public roads worldwide.

On the app or website, click "Street View" for street-level visuals that can help you effectively pinpoint landmarks and locations. You can plot a route from Point A to Point B, and Google will tell you the best driving route, public transit options, flight times, and in some cases, walking distance. 

The Google Maps app lets you plan and recalibrate your route in real-time and gives step-by-step voice directions, particularly useful when you're driving and it's not safe to glance at a map every few minutes.

The pre-installed driving directions app for iOS phones, Apple Maps got off to a shaky start when it was launched in 2012. Since then, the company has made significant upgrades to the app and its interface, connecting it with iPhone's personal assistant Siri for seamless directions. Where Waze is a little more cartoony and Google Maps has few bells and whistles, the Apple Maps app feels like other Apple products, emphasizing the design and user interface.

Waze has many of the basic features of other mapping tools but adds a social element that is the hallmark of its app. Google bought it in 2013, but Waze had already established itself as the way to crowdsource directions. This includes alerts from other drivers about upcoming traffic, construction, and police speed traps on your route. Users can even connect their Spotify accounts to the Waze app to play perfect driving music for a trip. 

On the Internet since 1996, MapQuest has been surpassed in recent years by competitors like Google Maps and Apple Maps. MapQuest has long had issues with the accuracy of its directions, but recent iterations of its driving directions website are more on target. 

MapQuest's most handy features include assessing current traffic conditions and estimated fuel costs based on current prices. While MapQuest has ceded its spot at the top of the list of map providers, its app and online driving directions are free, and it's a good backup option to your smartphone's built-in navigation.

The American Automobile Association (better known as AAA) offers its TripTik Travel Planner service free online ​. It allows you to print a paper version like its old-style TripTik maps. Sometimes the directions generated can be somewhat convoluted, though, so while they'll get you there, it might not be via the easiest route. With one click, though, you can choose a scenic route, which makes this tool worth trying if you want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Be forewarned: The AAA website has this annoying feature of demanding to know your zip code before it will allow you to access content, which is a frustrating extra step.

Rand McNally's map-making history dates back to 1856, but the company was a bit slow to the dance and didn't offer free driving directions online until 1999.

If you haven't tried Rand McNally for directions, you might give them a try, particularly if you are planning a long trip with multiple segments. You can customize your route, and Rand McNally's site will recognize any address format, so even if you're not entirely sure of your end destination, their interface should be able to get you there.

Be advised that their accuracy is a little buggier than some other maps and directions sites. 

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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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Get directions & show routes

You can get directions for driving, public transit, walking, ride sharing, cycling, flight, or motorcycle on Google Maps. If there are multiple routes, the best route to your destination is blue, all other routes are gray. Some directions in Google Maps are in development and may have limited availability. 

Important: Stay alert when you use directions on Google Maps. Always be aware of your surroundings to ensure the safety of yourself and others. When in doubt, follow actual traffic regulations and confirm signage from the road or path that you’re on.

Open Google Maps

• If you don’t yet have the app, download it from the Play Store.
• Search for your destination or tap it on the map.

Learn more about how to search for flights .

Tip: To choose another route in any transportation mode, select it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.

Google Maps transportation modes

You can get directions for different modes of transportation in Google Maps. Learn about the differences in features and availability between each mode:

• You can pin your favorite trips when you tap the Pin button at the bottom. Learn more about how to pin your favorite trips .
• Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. Before you can get transit directions, your local transit agency needs to add their route info to Google Maps.
• You can pin your favorite trips when you tap the Pin button at the bottom.  Learn more about how to pin your favorite trips .

• If you want directions in an area with ride or taxi services, you can compare ride services with transit and walking directions. Learn how to request a ride .

• Learn how to get directions for motorcycles .

Add multiple destinations

You can get directions to multiple destinations for all modes of transportation except public transit or flight.

• You can add up to 9 stops.
• When you’re finished, tap Done .

Tip : You can search for places along your route.

To change the order of your stops:

• Drag the destination.

Preview directions in Street View

• On your Android phone or tablet, to view detailed directions, pull up the bottom window.
• To get to the next step in the route, at the bottom, pull left.
• To get to the previous step, at the bottom, pull right.

Customize your route

• Turn on Avoid tolls or Avoid highways .

By default, your starting point is your location. You can change where your route begins and ends.

Important: You can't start navigation if you don't use your current location, but you can still get a preview of the route.

• To edit your starting point, at the top, tap Your location .
• To edit your destination, tap what's listed in the destination box.
• Tap Preview .

• To change your travel dates or times, select Depart at or Arrive by .

Important: This feature is only available in select cities.

When your route has a toll road, Google Maps shows you the estimated price before you start navigation.

Change toll pass price settings in the Google Maps app

You can choose your settings for accurate prices. By default, Maps shows toll prices based on toll pass rates. To have Maps display toll prices without a toll pass:

• Scroll to “Toll Price” and turn off See toll pass prices .

How Maps estimates toll prices

Toll prices in Maps are estimations. They don’t replace actual prices set by the toll operators, which they publish on their websites and road signs.

Maps estimates toll prices based on factors such as:

• Day of the week
• Hour of the day
• Specific dates
• Payment method (such as cash, pay by mail, toll pass, or tag account)

Maps doesn’t calculate toll prices for congestion-based toll roads or lanes where prices vary based on traffic.

When you enter a destination in Google Maps, we show you how to get there using different travel modes, like driving, cycling, or walking. 

Sometimes, the transport options we show you are ranked according to a combination of objective factors designed to help you find relevant and useful information. These factors can include duration, distance, price, your mode preference, or the relevance of a mode to your query. Generally, the most important factors are your mode preference, trip durations, and sometimes price.

Where available, we also show you other mobility services like public transport, scooter or bicycle rentals, and vehicle ride services. These mobility services are provided by third parties who have made their transport data publicly available or who have a partner agreement with us. Any partnerships or business relationships we may have with any transportation service providers do not influence the ranking of these services.

Related resources

• Get traffic or search for places along the way
• Plan your commute or trip

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How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Trip (Ultimate Guide)

Note: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. More details are  here .

I love a good map. I’ve got maps hanging on my walls. I go to the bookstore to read maps. Whenever I navigate my way home using only a map, I feel like I must have some innate bushcraft skills. And if you’ve read my posts about traveling in Maine , you’re probably sick of me talking about the DeLorme Atlas by now.

But while reading paper maps will always inspire a sense of get-up-and-go adventure for me, I’m not totally opposed to using tech for planning my trips and navigating on the ground.

And one of my favorite techy solutions? A secret little trip planner called Google My Maps, buried inside of everyone’s favorite map tool.

Google My Maps lets you create shareable custom maps with multiple layers, plus location pins with icons and notes. It’s a great way to brainstorm travel plans or create a trip itinerary from a desktop. And since the map can be viewed in the Google Maps app, you can use it to navigate on the go. 

To give you an example of what this post will show you how to do, here’s one of the custom Google Maps I’ve created for a trip.

Keep reading for an overview of how to use Google My Maps to plan a trip, plus a video tutorial of how to set it up—all updated in 2023. I’ll also share answers to commonly asked questions and some lesser known tips to help you get the most out of this tool. 

A quick note: Creating a custom map in Google My Maps is distinct from Google Lists of saved places. Check out our Google My Maps vs Lists comparison to see all the differences and our full guide to using Google Maps Lists .

8 Top Google My Maps Features

(AKA Why It’s Awesome)

Google My Maps allows you to see your trip itinerary. 

This is so helpful, especially if you’re a visual person or enjoy using maps. But even if you’re not, it’s still really useful to see where everything is in relation to each other as you plan your trip, vacation, or holiday because it helps you be realistic about your plans.

It connects with other Google apps. 

Setting aside my (ahem, very rational) fear that they may take over the world soon, I love all things Google. My Maps stores a copy of the map in whatever Google Drive account you’re using. (Am I the only one who has six of these?) So if you like to create Google Docs or folders to store trip planning information, documents, photos, or itineraries, it’s nice to have your map easily accessible in the same folder.

You get additional location information since it’s part of Google Maps. 

If a location is on Google, you can see their website, phone number, address, reviews, and website when you add it to your custom map. (Note that you can’t see this information when clicking on your saved pin from the Google Maps app, but you can from desktop.)

You can add your own extra notes and photos.

Customize your map even more by adding notes, photos, or videos. Use the notes during planning to add website, hours, or tips. If I hear about the location from a particular website, I usually add that link and what was noted in the article about the location (e.g., it’s a great sunset spot, which dish on the menu is recommended) so I can reference it later.

You can view your route by creating a layer with directions. 

When I traveled to Burlington, Vermont, I wanted to see the length of the bike trail on the map, so I used the directions feature to show the whole route. (Check out the Burlington travel guide for an example of the travel map I created that includes the bike path route.) And while I haven’t done this yet, you could also use Google My Maps to plan a road trip itinerary for a longer adventure. 

Caveat: As I’ll discuss later, you can’t use directions layers to get turn-by-turn directions (but I mention an alternative below). For this reason, I only use these layers to visualize my route.

It’s highly customizable. 

Don’t mind me while I swoon over the color coding and organization options over here. Use custom icons, layers, and colors so it’s easy to see what things are at a glance. For example, you can give different locations individual styles: a coffee cup icon for cafes, a bed icon for hotels, and a swimming icon for beaches. You can also use layers in many different ways, such as one layer for each day of your trip or one layer for each category (like dining, lodging, and things to do).

In-depth planning on your computer. Easy, on-the-go access from your phone. 

While you can’t edit the maps from the Google Maps app on iPhone or Android, you (and anyone you’ve shared them with) can view them. You can click on icons and see your notes, as well as navigate to those locations. 

Note that there used to be a dedicated My Maps app on Android, but this has been deprecated. 

It’s easy to share it with a friend or with the world. 

If you’re planning a trip with other people, it’s easy to share the map with others . And if it’s something you want to make available to everyone (like I do on my travel guide posts), just change the privacy setting and share the link or embed it on a website.

3 Ways to Use Google My Maps

Brainstorm and store ideas for future “maybe” trips. 

I often come across a really interesting hotel, restaurant, or fun thing to do in destinations I want to travel to in the future, and I want to make sure I don’t forget about them. I have so many bookmarks in so many places (Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram), but Google My Maps is the place I’ve started storing ideas for future trips.

Plan your trip itinerary. 

Want to use Google Maps for route planning? When you’re ready to plan an upcoming trip, plot it out visually by using Google My Maps to create your itinerary. If you like structured itineraries, you can easily create a detailed day-to-day plan. 

Or, you can use a looser itinerary structure like we usually do by adding all the places you might like to go. 

For example, on a day trip to NYC, we added tons of places to eat on the map (thank you, Tiktok). As we were walking around doing other activities and started to get hungry, we were able to easily see which saved restaurants were closest to us. 

Navigate on the go.

Whether you’re using your map loosely for ideas or for a structured itinerary, you can pull it up on your phone anytime and get directions to your next location. 

Not sure what you want to do today, or want to see what the closest restaurant from your list is for dinner? Pop into your custom map to jog your memory from the notes you made or to get directions to your next location.

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How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Trip

How to create a new custom map.

Go to Google My Maps from your desktop browser . Check the Google icon in the top right corner to make sure you’re using the Google account you want to. Click “Create A New Map” and a window will open with a blank map. To give your map a name and description , click the map name (“Untitled Map”).

You can also change the color and style of the base map if desired. At the bottom of the layer panel on the left, click the arrow next to “Base Map.” You’ll get a window with nine options, including terrain, light political (a very light version of the standard Google Maps), satellite, and some different colored versions. Note that changing the base map style on desktop won’t change anything when viewing on mobile in Google Maps.

How to Add and Edit Layers

When you create a new map, the first layer will already be created, so you’ll probably want to rename it. To give your first layer a title , click directly on the title name like you did with the map name, or click the 3 dots next to “Untitled Layer” and then click “Rename Layer.” Clicking these 3 dots next to a layer title is also how you can delete a layer if you add one accidentally or change your mind. In this example, I’m changing my first layer to “dining” and will add all restaurants to this layer.

You can use layers any way you want to, or simply stick to one layer if you don’t need multiple. To add new layers , simply click “Add Layer” in the gray section below the map title and description.

To move a pin between layers , click the pin on the layer and hold down the mouse, and then drag it to the desired layer.

How to Add Location Pins

There are various ways to add location pins to a layer. First, make sure the correct layer is chosen by clicking anywhere in the white area on the layer. You’ll see which layer is selected by looking for the blue bar on the left of the layer.

• In the map search bar, type either a place name or an address. Click “Add to Map” to add a pin for this location . This is how I add most pins.
• If you don’t need an exact location or don’t have an address , you can click the pin marker button below the map search bar (“Add Marker”). It will turn your mouse into a T and you can click anywhere on the map to add a blank pin. You’ll immediately be prompted to add the pin title and description.
• If you’re dealing with very remote locations (or you just like geeky map stuff), you can also use latitude and longitude coordinates in the search bar.

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

A few tips and best practices for adding pins:

• If the place you’re searching for does not have a listing on Google, you’ll have to use an address. One thing to note is that sometimes Google Maps listings aren’t correct or don’t take you to the right place, so you may want to double check the location if you’re not using a street address to add the pin (especially if it’s a small business without a website).
• I have also found that hiking trail heads are frequently on Google Maps, but they’re not always correct in terms of navigating there by car. I usually add them to my map to get a basic idea of where they are while planning, but I use a paper map or atlas to find them while traveling.

How to Customize Location Pins

To change the title and add notes to your listing, click on the pin on the map, and then click the pencil icon (“Edit”).

To change the color and icon of the pin , click the paint bucket icon (from the pin itself or directly in the layer). Click “More Icons” to view all the icon options. You can color code by type of activity, by layer, or any way that makes sense to you.

To add photos or videos to a pin , click on the pin on the map, and then click the camera icon (“Add Image or Video”). This is another way to make your map interactive, especially after you’ve visited a location and want to share it with others.

How to Add A Directions Layer

I find that directions layers are helpful for showing the route of a walking tour, bike path, or road trip you want to take, but I don’t find them useful for directions while traveling since I can simply use the maps app to navigate. 

I use directions layers whenever I want to show an entire route on a map , rather than a specific location. Think of this as the 2024 version of mapping out a trip with AAA paper maps and a highlighter (if you’re old enough to remember).

Click the arrow icon underneath the search bar, which will create a new directions layer. On the legend, click “Driving” if you want to change this to walking or biking directions. Add a location name or address to Points A and B in the legend. If you find that the pins are not exactly where they should be, you can drag the points on the map.

Continue adding points by clicking “Add Destination” on the map. You can either type the information into the legend or hover your mouse to a spot on the map and double click it. (This is especially useful if you’re tracing a route on something like a bike path or hiking trail that won’t have an address.)

Rearrange the order by dragging the items around in the legend. Just like altering directions on Google Maps navigation, you can click on part of the route and drag it to a different road if you want to change part of the route after it is complete.

If you need to access the directions so you can see the distance of your route or the time it will take, click the three dots on the layer and click “Step-by-Step Directions.” Note that you can’t actually use this to get turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.

How to Share A Google My Map

There are several options for sharing your Google Maps trip plan.

Open up your map, then click the share button in the gray bar above your layers. To allow others to view your map (which includes embedding on your website), click “change” under the section “Who has access.” For embedding, you will need to make this setting public.

Otherwise, if you want to allow others to edit your map, add their email address in the “invite people” section.

How to View Your Custom Map in Google Maps (iPhone or Android)

Open Google Maps and go to the Saved icon at the bottom. Scroll to the bottom of this screen and click “Maps.” Choose the My Map you want to view. The layers with your custom icons will now be visible on your Google Map. You can click on any pin to view your details (such as description or photos), as well as to navigate there. 

To close a map, click on a pin and then click “View Map Legend.” There, you can click the Close icon.

From the Map Legend, you can also toggle layers on and off, and then backing out to the main map (don’t click Close—just the back arrow or back button).

How to Navigate with a Custom My Map (iPhone or Android)

To navigate to one of your pins, open your map, find the pin for where you want to go, click it, and then click “directions.” When you do this, you won’t see your custom map anymore but will be looking at the regular navigation of Google Maps.

You can’t use a My Maps “directions layer” for navigation. If you’re looking for that functionality, I recommend just creating a route in Google Maps and sending it to your phone (or sharing with others). See here for more details. 

How to Import Locations from Google Sheets, CSV, or Excel

Importing locations to a My Maps layer can be helpful in a few scenarios:

• You have a significant amount of locations to add to your layer
• Your data is already in the form of a spreadsheet
• You want additional fields included besides the default Name and Description
• You want to create groupings of pins (for example, a list of 50 restaurants could have a column for “Cuisine,” which will give you the option to group and style the pins by cuisine)

The process is simple, and you can import a variety of file types, including CSV, Excel (XLSX), or directly from Google Sheets. There are also special file formats that import map data from other programs, but this section is focused on spreadsheet-type files that you create and format.

Create a spreadsheet with the desired column headers. At a minimum, you need place names and either addresses or latitude-longitude information . 

If you want to group your pins by some type of categorization, you should include that as a column. Other columns you could include: website, phone number, description, or notes. While Google Sheets allows you to include photos in a cell, Google My Maps will not import photos in this way (it will include the column as a field, but will be blank). 

Once your spreadsheet file is ready, click “Import” on a blank layer (if your map already has layers, you will need to add a new layer to see this option). If uploading a CSV or XLSX, do this from the Upload tab. If using a Google Sheet, click the Google Drive tab and choose your file. 

Choose which column has location data (address or latitude-longitude) and click “Continue.” Choose the location name column next and click “Finish.” 

To change the icons individually, click “Uniform Style” next to the paintbrush on your layer. Under “Group Places By,” choose “Individual Styles.”

To change styles by a category column (such as Cuisine), click the link next to the paintbrush and choose to group places by the desired column. You can then give each category its own color or icon.

You can manually add new pins to this layer, and they will include all the fields you imported from the spreadsheet columns. 

You can also add more items to your spreadsheet, and import this new data. Click the three dots on your layer. Under “Reimport and Merge,” click “Add More Items” and choose your file. It will add the new rows to your layer.

How to Import a Route from Google Maps Timeline History (KML) or GPS Data From a Fitness App (GPX)

Google My Maps can import routes and locations you’ve already traveled to via special file types that are very easy to download from certain apps. This could be useful if you want to share a walking, biking, or driving route that you’ve taken without having to recreate it on a directions layer. 

Note that this only works as well as the GPS satellites were able to track your location while you were traveling.

If there are a lot of clouds, dense forest, buildings, or anything else blocking the GPS signal, your tracked route will be much less precise. I’ve noticed that Google Maps sometimes has my route showing somewhere I couldn’t have walked or driven. 

If you have your location history turned on in Google Maps, you can download a KML file from a trip, which will include the route traveled and location pins for any stops. Sometimes it misses a location name or adds a pin in the wrong place, but overall it’s pretty good.

Go to your Google Maps Timeline and locate the day you want to export. Click on it, and you should now see your route highlighted along with any stops you made. Now click the gear icon on the bottom of your map, and click “Export this day to KML.” Go to your My Map and on a new layer, click “Import.” Choose the KML file you just downloaded. You can now edit each portion as needed—changing the color and thickness of the route line, changing the location icons, as well as adjusting the route where desired.

If you have other apps that track your location, such as fitness apps, you may be able to download a GPX file that shows the route you took. The instructions for doing this will vary from app to app, but I was able to easily find it in Samsung Health by looking at the detail of a particular workout/walk and clicking the three dots to download a GPX. The import process to Google My Maps is the same as above.

With both methods, you can make adjustments to points/stops along the way or even add more pins. With the Google Maps KML file, you can also adjust your route by moving the small white dots.

Google My Maps Tutorial

Here’s a walk through video to show you how to use Google Maps to plan a trip, along with several of my own Google My Maps itinerary examples. Coming soon: a 2024 update!

Google My Maps Examples

Here are a few more examples of My Maps I’ve created for sharing recommendations, trip ideas, and actual vacation planning.

Google My Maps FAQs and Tips

As great as Google My Maps is for planning a trip, there are some limitations to using it. Lots of questions have also come up about more specific uses and ways to use its features. Thanks to all the readers who have asked or shared tips in the comments as I’m always looking to make this a more robust guide. I’ve organized the questions and tips here since it makes it easier than scrolling through the comments.

How many layers can you add to a map?

Google My Maps limits you to 10 layers. If you are planning a longer road trip and want to create a layer for each day, this limitation may prove frustrating. 

Here are a couple of workaround ideas: You can create 2 maps, and have the entire master route as 1 layer on each (showing the very basic route for all 12 days—say from city to city) as a reference. Then build individual layers for each day. As a second option, you could add multiple days to 1 layer and change the titles to start with the day they correspond to (so it would be “1 – Name of Place” instead of just “Name of Place.”) However, this option may not be ideal since you can’t see the titles until you click when you’re on the phone.

How many location pins can you add to each layer?

You can add up to 2,000 pins per layer, and the entire map cannot exceed 10,000 lines, shapes, or places total. I haven’t tested the limits, and it’s possible adding this amount of items could slow things down. My guess is that most travelers wouldn’t need anything so large, but it is possible according to Google . 

Are custom Google My Maps available offline?

No, but keep reading for a workaround and alternative. 

One of the biggest complaints about Google My Maps is that you can’t download your custom map and pins to use offline, unlike the rest of Google Maps. 

However, I have been able to use it in areas with spotty reception. I pulled the map up when I did have reception, and I left it running in the background. It would stay loaded in the app and I was able to pull it up to look at it later when I was out of reception. I’m not sure I would rely on this as a surefire workaround, but it can work in a pinch.

Another alternative, especially if you’ll be traveling in another country where you’ll be completely offline, is to use Google Maps Lists, which can be edited from desktop or your phone but don’t offer the option for separate layers, unique icons, or adding photos. 

Is there an app for Google My Maps?

There is no separate Google My Maps app, but you can view your maps within Google Maps. Just make sure you’re signed into the same account, and all your maps will sync. 

(There used to be a dedicated My Maps app on Android, but this was deprecated in 2021.)

Can you create or edit maps from your phone?

No, the maps cannot be edited from the Google Maps app. Google My Maps can only be created or edited from the desktop version of the site. This is another huge advantage Google Lists has over Google My Maps because Lists allow you to add new places or entire lists from any device—iPhone, Android, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Is there a bridge height filter?

No. For RVers and others who need to plan ahead for height limitations, there is no bridge height filter available in Google Maps. Since I haven’t had to use this feature myself, I am not confident in an alternative to recommend. However, from a bit of digging around, there are some apps and GPS units for truckers that may be a good place to start looking if you have an oversize vehicle.

What is the difference between Google Maps Lists and Google My Maps?

They both allow you to create custom maps with pins, but there are some key differences, such as offline access, layer capabilities, customizable pins, and creating/editing within the app. Check out the details on how Google My Maps compares to Lists (including a features comparison table).

How many stops can you add on a directions layer?

You can only add 10 stops per directions layer. This is also the maximum number of stops you can add for navigation in Google Maps. As some readers have pointed out, this can be limiting when you want to use this feature for a long road trip.

Can you use the directions layers on your phone for navigation purposes?

No, you cannot create a directions layer and then access those turn-by-turn directions for navigation in the Google Maps app. 

So…are directions layers totally useless? What’s the point of having a Driving Directions layer in My Maps?

Personally, I still like to use these layers, but only to show a route for my very visual brain, rather than to actually create custom directions. 

Can you send a custom created route (layer) to someone else so that the other person will take that specific driving route on google maps?

No, you can’t do this from My Maps, but there’s a workaround I can suggest.

Forget My Maps, and use Google Maps from desktop or mobile to plot a route. You can add up to 10 stops, and then you will be able to share your custom directions. 

From desktop, there’s an extra step in first sending the directions to your phone. If you’ve created the directions in the mobile app or once you have them pulled up there, you can share them with anyone by clicking the 3 dots next to your list of locations (sharing must be done before clicking “Start”—if you’re already in the navigation, you need to back out of it to share). When you share, it will list all the steps as well as send a link for the other person to open the directions in Google Maps directly. 

An important caveat to sharing custom routes: Google Maps will reroute the directions as it normally does according to current traffic at the time of driving, so this method cannot be relied upon if you’ve mapped a specific route for bridge clearances. As a workaround, you can add “stops” on the desired interstate (zoom in and add this literally on the road itself so navigation doesn’t try to take you off an exit), which will force Google Maps to take the driver that way. This is what I do when driving south from Connecticut to PA because Google Maps always wants me to take its beloved George Washington Bridge and I always don’t want to. I add a stop to force my route across the Tappan Zee Bridge. However, I’m not sure I would rely on this workaround as a sole method for RVs or truckers.

Can you see how much time the directions will take?

Yes, on desktop you can view the details if you want to know the distance or how long a route will take. To view distance and time for a directions layer, click the 3 dots on the laye, then click Step-by-Step Directions. 

Of course, this doesn’t really help when you want to get this information on your phone or use the directions for navigation. As mentioned elsewhere, the “directions” layer functions best as a way to visualize a route. If you need turn-by-turn directions, see the steps mentioned above to save and send directions in Google Maps. 

This post was originally published on July 27, 2017 and has been updated in May 2023.

Travel Photographer | FAA Certified Drone Pilot

Naomi is the coffee-loving, crazy-about-Latin-America writer and photographer behind everything here. She's guided by curiosity and a belief that every place has a story to tell–whether it’s through the intricate details of nature, history that has shaped a culture, or the people who call a place home. Learn More

Waze Navigation & Live Traffic 4+

Avoid traffic, police, hazards.

• #2 in Navigation
• 4.8 • 3M Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Waze is a community driven navigation app that helps millions of users get to where they’re going through real-time road alerts and an up-to-the-moment map. Thanks to our network of drivers, Waze saves you time by instantly alerting you to traffic, construction, crashes, police and more. From traffic-avoiding reroutes, real-time safety updates and low gas price alerts, Waze is a community of drivers helping other drivers. With Waze you… Get there faster: traffic-avoiding route updates Avoid tickets: know where police, speedcams and redlight cams are located More accurate ETAs: based on live traffic, construction, weather and more Community-based navigation: real-time updates from other drivers Save money: find the cheapest gas along your route Avoid tolls: see toll pricing when you choose a route Use Apple CarPlay: sync Waze to your car’s built-in display Live Speedometer: get alerts when you’re speeding and avoid costly tickets Customize your drive: get directions from your favorite celebs and characters No app switching: use your favorite audio apps right from Waze Drive safer and smarter, with Waze! You can manage your in-app Waze Privacy Settings at any time. Learn more about the Waze privacy policy here, www.waze.com/legal/privacy. Waze directions are not intended for emergency or oversized vehicles.

Version 4.103

Saving time & avoiding traffic is even easier with this update: Fixed a bug so you can still see your route even if you lose internet connection.

Ratings and Reviews

Editors’ notes.

People power meets the open road in this amazing navigation app. Waze’s crowd-sourced alerts come from real drivers, not algorithms, delivering info you won’t see anywhere else to keep your commute flowing. The friendly interface and convenient detour routing really help the app shine, and its social-network integration make road trips with buddies a blast.

Battery drain, several issues

The battery drain when I use Waze is unreal. I was at 43%, opened Waze & drove for about 12 minutes, decided to add a stop. I looked at my screen and the low battery 20% alert was up!! All of my background apps were closed, and there was no reason for my battery to plummet that quickly. Sometimes my app won’t show my icon but shows the “shadow” of where it’s supposed to be. Another issue is that it doesn’t show all routes. I know a certain route isn’t normally the fastest, but I also know my city’s traffic patterns and it won’t show it. Also, I’m in the top 1%, but how do I know when I’m getting close to losing that prestige? How do I see if the population is catching up to me? Finally, the fact that it doesn’t tell you whether your destination is on the left or right is so irritating and basic that I’m shocked it’s not a feature. I wish there was a feature where you could customize which “hazards” to voice prompt. For example, I couldn’t care less about a car on the shoulder ahead, and it’s annoying to have my music interrupted by that stupid hazard alert. But I would want to know if there’s a pothole ahead, an object in the road, or a police reported ahead. Create a way to narrow down the voice prompts! Why do the other Waze avatar icons around me never move? Speaking of Waze “people” icons, please come out with more options!

Love it & Hate it all at the same time.

I have been using Waze for about a month now I commute Just over 1000 miles a week. I really like that many people are out there using it and that you get vital information like a car’s coming up on the shoulder, objects in the road and where the police are camping at. The only problem I have with Waze I’d like to see some changes is that there are too many choices to make when reporting information, for example if I want to report a car on the side of the road I have to hit four different selections before my information is sent meanwhile I’m trying to look at the screen to find a small button and not paying attention to what is on the road. Reporting information needs to be simplified for the driver no more than two clicks to report a hazard something along the lines of the first click hazard second click “car on shoulder” or “car in lane” or “object in lane”. Decision making buttons need to be a little larger like when you’re confirming a hazard on the road is it still there yes or no the buttons are too small and I often miss them and not able to confirm the information information. May be a few seconds before you approach the hazard two large buttons could pop up and simply confirm yes or no is it there. I will say this I do enjoy using it and it is much better than Google maps or other navigation apps out there.

App Privacy

The developer, Waze Inc. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Financial Info
• Contact Info
• User Content
• Search History
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Afrikaans, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Basque, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, Frisian, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Welsh

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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iPhone User Guide

• iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
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• S Max' class='toc-item' data-ss-analytics-link-url='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' data-ajax-endpoint='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' data-ss-analytics-event="acs.link_click" href='https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphone-xs-max-iphcd2066870/ios' id='toc-item-IPHCD2066870' data-tocid='IPHCD2066870' > iPhone X S Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
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• iPhone 14 Plus
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• Track daily activity and change your move goal
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• Create a Freeform board
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• Fill out your Health Details
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• Upgrade to the new Home architecture
• Set up accessories
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• Write in your journal
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• Add and remove email accounts
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• Get travel directions
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• Find stops along your route
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• Change settings for spoken directions
• Get driving directions
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• Use the level
• Set up Messages
• About iMessage
• Send and reply to messages
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• View albums, playlists, and more
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• Use News widgets
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• Add or remove accounts
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• Use iCloud Photos
• Create shared albums
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• Set up or join an iCloud Shared Photo Library
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• Use iCloud Shared Photo Library
• Import and export photos and videos
• Print photos
• Find podcasts
• Listen to podcasts
• Follow your favorite podcasts
• Use the Podcasts widget
• Organize your podcast library
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• Change download settings
• Make a grocery list
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• Protect your vision health with Screen Distance
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• Charging cable
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• Intro to CarPlay
• Connect to CarPlay
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• Get turn-by-turn directions
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• Turn on accessibility features for setup
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• Customize gestures and keyboard shortcuts
• Use VoiceOver with a pointer device
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• Use AssistiveTouch
• Adjust how iPhone responds to your touch
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• Use Voice Control
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• Set up and turn on Switch Control
• Select items, perform actions, and more
• Control several devices with one switch
• Use hearing devices
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• Flash the LED for alerts
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• Get Live Captions (beta)
• Type to speak
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• Use Guided Access
• Use built-in privacy and security protections
• Set a passcode
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• Keep your Apple ID secure
• Use passkeys to sign in to apps and websites
• Sign in with Apple
• Share passwords
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• Share passkeys and passwords securely with AirDrop
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• Create and manage Hide My Email addresses
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• Use a private network address
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• Use Contact Key Verification
• Turn iPhone on or off
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• Restore all content from a backup
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• Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone
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• Unauthorized modification of iOS

Get driving directions in Maps on iPhone

When you drive in select cities, you see enhanced details for crosswalks, bike lanes, buildings, and a street-level perspective that helps you find the right lane as you approach complex interchanges ( supported models ).

Note: Turn-by-turn spoken directions and directions for multiple stops are available in select areas. Features vary by country and region. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website .

Get directions for driving

Do one of the following:

Siri: Say something like: “Give me driving directions home.” Learn how to use Siri .

Tap your destination (such as a search result in Maps or a landmark on a map), or touch and hold anywhere on the map, then tap the directions button .

When a suggested route appears, you can do any of the following:

View a route’s directions in a list: On the route card, tap the route’s estimated travel time so that the route appears at the top of the card, then tap the estimated travel time again. To share the directions, scroll to the bottom of the card, then tap Share.

Choose a future departure or arrival time: Tap Now (below the Directions list), select a time or date for departure or arrival, then tap Done. The estimated travel time may change based on predicted traffic.

Add stops along your route: You can add up to 14 stops on the way to your destination. See Add a stop to your driving directions .

Avoid tolls or highways: Tap Avoid (below the Directions list), choose your options, then tap Apply.

Choose other route options: You can switch the starting point and destination, select a different starting point or destination, and more. See Select other route options .

Tap Go for the route you want to take.

As you travel along your route, Maps speaks turn-by-turn directions to your destination.

While following the route, you can share your ETA , find a place to stop , turn off spoken directions , and view a route overview or a list of turns .

End driving directions before you arrive

Siri: Say something like: “Stop navigating.” Learn how to use Siri .

Or without using Siri, tap the card at the bottom of the screen, then tap End Route.

Show or hide the compass or the speed limit

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Where Americans Are Traveling in 2024: By the Numbers

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Americans are traveling abroad in droves.

The number of U.S. citizens flying to international destinations reached nearly 6.5 million passengers in March, according to the International Trade Administration. That’s the highest March total in over five years and shows that the post-pandemic “revenge travel” trend is the new normal.

It wasn’t just March, which usually sees a spike in international departures for spring break. In every month of 2024 so far, more Americans left the country than last year and 2019. These trends point to a blockbuster summer for overseas travel.

Nearly half of Americans (45%) plan to travel by air and/or stay in a hotel this summer and expect to spend $3,594 on average, on these expenses, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted online by The Harris Poll and commissioned by NerdWallet.

That's despite rising travel prices that have caused some hesitancy among would-be travelers. About 22% of those choosing not to travel this summer cite inflation making travel too expensive as a reason for staying home, according to the poll.

So where are traveling Americans going? And what does it mean for those looking to avoid crowds of tourists and higher travel prices?

New travel patterns

Nearly every region in the world saw an increase in U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2023, according to International Trade Administration data. Only the Middle East saw a decline of 9%. Yet not every region saw the same year-over-year bump. U.S. visitors to Asia saw a 33% jump, while Oceania and Central America each saw a 30% increase.

Comparing 2024 with 2023 only tells part of the story, however. The new patterns really emerge when comparing international travel trends to 2019. For example, Central America received 50% more U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2019. Nearly 1.5 million Americans visited Mexico, up 39% compared with before the pandemic. That’s almost as many visitors as the entire continent of Europe, which has seen a more modest 10% increase since 2019.

Only Canada and Oceania saw fewer visitors in March 2024 than in 2019, suggesting that interest in these locations has not rebounded. Indeed, the trends indicate a kind of tourism inertia from COVID-19 pandemic-era lockdowns: Those destinations that were more open to U.S. visitors during the pandemic, such as Mexico, have remained popular, while those that were closed, such as Australia, have fallen off travelers’ radars.

Price pressures

How these trends play out throughout the rest of the year will depend on a host of factors. Yet, none will likely prove more important than affordability. After months of steadiness, the cost of travel, including airfare, hotels and rental cars, has begun to sneak up again.

About 45% of U.S. travelers say cost is their main consideration when planning their summer vacation, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans by the travel booking platform Skyscanner.

That’s likely to weigh further on U.S. travelers’ appetite for visiting expensive destinations such as Europe, while encouraging travel to budget-friendly countries. It could also depress overall international travel as well, yet so far, Americans seem to be traveling more.

For those looking to avoid crowds while maintaining a budget, Skyscanner travel trends expert Laura Lindsay offered a recommendation many of us might need help finding on a map.

“Albania has been on the radar of travelers looking for something different,” Lindsay said. "Most people have yet to discover it, but flights and tourism infrastructure are in place, and there are fewer crowds in comparison to trending European destinations like Italy, Greece, or Portugal.”

On the flip side, American travelers looking to avoid crowds of compatriots would do well to avoid Japan, which has seen a staggering 50% increase in U.S. tourists between March 2019 and 2024.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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.
• Google Search - Hotels:
• You can use the new EV filter on google.com/travel to find hotels that offer on-site EV charging. This is already live.

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Google unveils new updates to make trip planning easier for travelers

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 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 indices 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.