Change your route before you start driving

To change a route in Google Maps, tap the route bar at the bottom of the screen after you search for a destination. A menu will appear showing alternative routes ranked by travel time. Tap the route you want, and Maps will recalculate and display it on your map. If you want to change where you're going entirely, tap the X next to your destination and search for a new address.

The alternative routes Google shows depend on real-time traffic, road conditions, and the time of day. During heavy traffic, you might see a route that takes longer but avoids congestion. During light traffic, the fastest route and the alternative routes may have similar travel times. Google ranks them by speed, so the top option is usually quickest.

You can also change your route by tapping the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner and selecting "Route options." This opens settings where you can avoid tolls, highways, or ferries. Toggling these on or off will recalculate your route and show you new alternatives that match your preferences.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the route bar at the bottom of your screen to see alternative routes ranked by travel time.
  • Google shows different alternatives depending on current traffic, so checking again later may reveal faster options.
  • Use the three-dot menu to avoid tolls, highways, or ferries, and Maps will recalculate your route automatically.
  • You can add stops along your route by tapping the plus icon and searching for a location.
  • If you want to change your destination entirely, tap the X next to it and search for a new address.

Add stops to your existing route

To add a stop along your route, tap the plus icon that appears near the bottom of the screen. Search for the location you want to visit, and Google Maps will insert it into your route and recalculate the order. If you add multiple stops, Maps will arrange them in the order that makes sense for your trip, though you can manually reorder them by dragging.

When you add a stop, the route updates immediately to show the new path. The travel time at the top of the screen reflects the total time including all stops. You can add as many stops as you need, and Maps will keep them in order as you navigate.

Avoid specific roads or features

Open the three-dot menu and tap "Route options" to see checkboxes for tolls, highways, and ferries. Checking any of these boxes tells Google Maps to avoid those road types when calculating your route. This is useful if you don't want to pay tolls, prefer surface streets over freeways, or need to avoid water crossings.

When you toggle these options on, Google Maps recalculates your route immediately and shows you the new path. The travel time may increase, depending on what you're avoiding and what alternatives exist in your area. You can turn these options on and off as many times as you want before you start driving.

Change your route while driving

If you're already navigating and want to switch to a different route, tap the route bar at the bottom of the screen. Google will show you alternative routes based on current traffic. Tap the one you want, and your navigation will update to the new path. This is useful if traffic has gotten worse on your original route or if you want to take a different way.

You can also add stops while you're driving by tapping the plus icon. However, it's safer to pull over before making major changes to your route. If you need to change your destination entirely, tap the X next to it and search for a new address, though again it's best to do this when you're not actively driving.

Understand how Google ranks alternative routes

Google Maps ranks routes primarily by estimated travel time, with the fastest option at the top. The app factors in real-time traffic, road conditions, and the time of day. A route that's faster now might be slower during rush hour, so the alternatives you see change throughout the day.

The second and third alternatives are usually only slightly slower than the fastest route. If they're significantly slower, Google typically doesn't show them unless you're avoiding tolls or highways. The app assumes you want speed unless you've told it otherwise through your route options.

Save routes for later

Google Maps doesn't have a built-in "save route" feature, but you can save individual locations to your Saved Places. To do this, search for a location, tap the heart icon, and it will be saved. You can then create a route to that location anytime by searching for it and tapping "Directions."

If you take the same trip regularly, you can also create a shortcut on your phone's home screen that opens Google Maps with that destination already entered. On Android, long-press the Google Maps app icon and tap "Create shortcut." On iPhone, open Google Maps, search for your destination, tap the share icon, and select "Add to Home Screen."

Troubleshoot route problems

If Google Maps isn't showing alternative routes, make sure you have an internet connection and that your app is up to date. Close and reopen the app, or restart your phone. If the problem continues, try clearing your Google Maps cache by going to Settings, Apps, Google Maps, Storage, and tapping "Clear Cache."

If a route seems wrong or takes you on an unexpected path, check whether you've toggled on any route options like "Avoid highways." These settings stick around even after you close the app, so you might have accidentally turned one on. You can also report a problem with a road or route by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting "Send feedback."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see how much a toll will cost before I take that route?

Google Maps shows toll costs on some routes in certain areas, but not everywhere. When toll information is available, you'll see the amount displayed on the route bar. If you don't see a toll amount, the information isn't available for that road in your area. You can avoid tolls entirely by checking "Avoid tolls" in the route options.

Why does Google Maps keep suggesting the same route even though traffic is bad?

Google Maps updates its traffic data continuously, but it takes a few minutes for changes to show up. If traffic has just gotten worse, try closing and reopening the app or tapping the route bar again to refresh the alternatives. If you're already navigating, tap the route bar to see updated options based on current conditions.

Can I change the order of multiple stops on my route?

Yes. Tap and hold a stop in your route list and drag it to a new position. Google Maps will recalculate your route based on the new order. You can reorder stops as many times as you want before or during your trip.

What's the difference between changing a route and changing my destination?

Changing a route means choosing a different way to get to the same destination — for example, taking the highway instead of surface streets. Changing your destination means going to a completely different address. To change your destination, tap the X next to it and search for a new location.

Does Google Maps remember my route preferences like avoiding tolls?

Yes. Once you check "Avoid tolls," "Avoid highways," or "Avoid ferries" in the route options, Google Maps remembers that setting for future trips. You can turn these preferences off anytime in the route options menu.