How to plot a custom route on Google Maps?

Taking the Scenic Route: Mastering Custom Routes in Google Maps

Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool, but its usefulness extends beyond simply getting from A to B. Want to plan a road trip with multiple stops, a delivery route with various drop-offs, or a sightseeing tour hitting all the must-see spots? Google Maps allows you to create custom routes with up to ten locations, giving you complete control over your journey. Here’s how to ditch the default directions and chart your own course:

Building Your Personalized Itinerary:

1. Open Google Maps: Launch the Google Maps app on your mobile device or access it through your desktop browser.

2. Initiate Directions: Click or tap the “Directions” button, usually represented by a curved arrow.

3. Set Your Starting Point: Enter your starting location in the “Choose starting point” field. You can type an address, the name of a place, or even use your current location.

4. Add Your First Destination: In the “Choose destination” field, enter the first stop on your custom route.

5. The Magic of the “Add Stop”: This is where the customization begins. Instead of hitting “Go” just yet, look for the “Add stop” button (often represented by a “+” symbol or as an option within the three-dot menu). Clicking this will add a new destination field.

6. Build Your Route, Stop by Stop: Continue adding destinations using the “Add stop” function. You can add up to nine additional stops, for a total of ten locations on your custom route (including your starting point).

7. Reorder Your Stops: Need to rearrange the order of your destinations? Simply click and drag the three-lined icon next to each stop to move it up or down in the list. This allows you to optimize your route for efficiency or preference.

8. Fine-Tuning Your Journey: Once you’ve added all your destinations, Google Maps will generate the route. You can still preview different route options (avoiding tolls, highways, etc.) and see the estimated travel time and distance for your personalized itinerary.

9. Hit the Road (Virtually or Literally): Finally, click “Go” to start navigating. Follow the turn-by-turn directions as you normally would, progressing through each of your designated stops.

Beyond the Basics:

• Saving Your Custom Routes: While Google Maps doesn’t currently offer a direct “save route” feature for multi-stop routes, you can bookmark the URL generated after creating your route for easy access later.
• Sharing Your Itinerary: Share the link to your custom route with friends or family so they can follow along or join you on your journey.
• Exploring Alternatives: If your route involves more than ten stops, consider breaking it down into smaller segments or exploring alternative mapping tools specifically designed for complex route planning.

By mastering the “Add stop” feature, you unlock a new level of control within Google Maps. Start crafting custom routes tailored to your specific needs and enjoy the journey, knowing you’re in the driver’s seat.