Adding a stop on Google Maps takes three taps on your phone

Open Google Maps and search for your destination or tap it on the map. Once the destination card appears at the bottom of your screen, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of that card. Select "Add stop" from the menu. Google Maps will insert the new location into your route between your current location and your final destination, and you can reorder stops by dragging them up or down in the list.

On desktop, the process is similar: search for a destination, then click the three-dot menu on the destination card and choose "Add stop". The stop appears in your route immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add up to nine stops on a single route in Google Maps on mobile, and the app automatically reorders them for the fastest path.
  • Stops appear in the order Google Maps calculates as fastest, not the order you add them, unless you manually drag them into a different sequence.
  • On desktop, you can add stops by clicking the three-dot menu on any destination card, but mobile offers the same feature with a tap.
  • Each stop shows an estimated arrival time, and you can remove any stop by swiping left on it (mobile) or clicking the X next to its name (desktop).

Adding multiple stops to optimize your route

When you add a second stop, Google Maps treats it as a waypoint and recalculates your entire route. The app does not follow the order you add stops — instead, it reorders them automatically to show the fastest path from your starting point to your final destination. This is useful if you are running errands across town, because you do not have to plan the order yourself.

You can add up to nine stops total on mobile. Each stop displays an estimated arrival time based on current traffic. If you want to visit stops in a specific order instead of the fastest order, you can drag each stop up or down in the list to lock in your preferred sequence.

Reordering stops and removing them from your route

On your phone, open the list of stops by tapping the route summary at the bottom of the screen. You will see all your stops listed in order. Press and hold any stop, then drag it up or down to change its position in your route. Google Maps recalculates the travel time and distance as you move stops around.

To remove a stop, swipe left on it in the list and tap the trash icon. On desktop, click the X next to any stop name to delete it. Removing a stop updates your route immediately.

Understanding how Google Maps orders your stops

Google Maps uses real-time traffic data and road conditions to determine the fastest sequence for your stops. This means the order can change if traffic patterns shift while you are driving. The app prioritizes speed over the order you added stops, so if you have a specific reason to visit locations in a particular sequence, you need to manually arrange them.

If you are planning a route with many stops, dragging them into your preferred order before you start driving prevents surprises. Once you lock in an order by dragging, Google Maps respects that sequence unless you change it again.

Adding stops while you are already driving

You can add stops to an active route without stopping or pulling over. Tap the search icon at the top of the map, find your next stop, and when the destination card appears, tap the three-dot menu and select "Add stop". The new stop inserts into your route, and Google Maps recalculates your path.

This works the same way whether you are navigating with voice guidance or just following the map. The app updates your estimated arrival time at your final destination to account for the new stop.

Saving routes with multiple stops

Google Maps does not save multi-stop routes automatically, but you can save individual locations to your lists for future reference. After you complete a route with stops, you can manually recreate it by searching for each location and adding them as stops again.

If you frequently visit the same set of locations in the same order, consider saving each location separately to a custom list. You can then add them as stops in sequence each time you need to run that route. This is faster than searching for each stop individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than nine stops on Google Maps?

No, Google Maps limits you to nine stops per route on mobile devices. If you need to visit more locations, you can complete one route, then start a new route from your final stop and add nine more stops to that route.

Does Google Maps charge money to add stops?

No, adding stops to your route in Google Maps is free. All routing and navigation features are included with the standard Google Maps app.

What happens to my stops if I close the Google Maps app?

Your active route and all its stops disappear when you close the app. If you want to preserve a multi-stop route, take a screenshot or write down the addresses before you exit. You will need to recreate the route by adding stops again the next time you open Google Maps.

Can I add stops on Google Maps using voice commands?

Voice commands in Google Maps let you search for destinations and start navigation, but you cannot add stops by voice alone. You must tap the three-dot menu and select "Add stop" manually after you search for each location.