Change your route while navigating by tapping the route bar at the bottom of the screen

When you are already following directions in Google Maps, the quickest way to switch routes is to tap the white bar showing your current route near the bottom of the screen. This opens a list of alternative routes — usually two to four options — ranked by estimated travel time. Tap any route to switch to it immediately. Google Maps will recalculate your turn-by-turn directions and update your arrival time.

If you do not see alternative routes listed, it means Google Maps has determined there is only one practical way to reach your destination, or the alternatives are so similar that the app does not bother showing them. This happens most often in rural areas or on highways with few exit options.

You can also change your route before you start navigating. Search for your destination, tap the blue "Directions" button, and then tap any of the route options shown on the map. Each route displays its estimated time and distance. Once you select one, tap "Start" to begin turn-by-turn navigation on that route.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the route bar at the bottom of the screen while navigating to see alternative routes and switch between them instantly.
  • Alternative routes appear only when Google Maps detects meaningful differences in time or distance — not every destination has multiple options.
  • You can preview and choose a different route before you start navigating by tapping route options on the map.
  • Google Maps updates your turn-by-turn directions and arrival time automatically when you switch to a new route.
  • Avoid changing routes while actively driving; pull over or wait until you reach a safe location to make the switch.

Why Google Maps shows you multiple routes

Google Maps displays alternative routes when the app detects that two or more paths will get you to your destination in meaningfully different amounts of time. The app considers current traffic conditions, road types, tolls, and distance. If one route saves you 10 minutes but adds a toll, Google Maps will show both so you can decide which trade-off works for you.

The order of routes is based on estimated travel time, with the fastest option listed first. A route shown second or third might avoid highways, tolls, or certain neighborhoods — Google Maps does not rank these factors for you, but you can see the full route on the map before you commit to it.

Switching routes mid-journey

If you are already following directions and traffic has slowed your current route, tap the route bar to see if Google Maps has found a faster alternative. The app continuously monitors traffic and will sometimes suggest a new route even if you do not ask for one — you will see a notification at the top of the screen saying something like "Faster route available." Tap it to switch.

When you change routes while driving, Google Maps immediately recalculates your turn-by-turn directions from your current location. Your next turn instruction updates, and your estimated arrival time changes to reflect the new path. If you change your mind, you can always tap the route bar again to switch back or try a different option.

Choosing a route based on tolls, highways, or other preferences

Before you start navigating, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the directions screen. This opens a menu with options to avoid tolls, highways, or ferries. When you check any of these boxes, Google Maps recalculates all available routes to exclude those road types. The routes shown will now reflect your preferences, and you can choose from the filtered options.

These preferences stick with your account across devices, so if you set Google Maps to avoid tolls on your phone, the same setting will apply when you use Google Maps on your car's infotainment system or on a tablet. You can change these preferences at any time, even mid-journey.

What to do if you miss your turn or need to reroute

If you miss a turn or take a wrong street, Google Maps detects this automatically and recalculates your route from your new location. You will see a brief notification and your directions will update. The app does not penalize you or require you to do anything — it simply figures out how to get you back on track from where you are now.

If you want to manually reroute without waiting for the app to detect your mistake, tap the route bar and select a different route, or tap the three-dot menu and choose "Report a problem" if you believe the original route was incorrect. You can also search for your destination again and start fresh with new route options.

Using Google Maps on different devices

The process for changing routes is the same on Android phones, iPhones, and tablets — tap the route bar to see alternatives. On Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the route bar appears in the same location at the bottom of the screen, though the interface is slightly simplified for safety while driving.

If you are using Google Maps on a car's built-in navigation system (not Android Auto or CarPlay), the steps may vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer. Check your car's manual or the manufacturer's support site for specific instructions, as some systems have their own route-selection interface layered on top of Google Maps.

Why a route might not be available or might disappear

If you were previously shown multiple routes and now see only one, traffic conditions have likely changed. Google Maps removes alternative routes from the display when they no longer offer a meaningful time savings compared to the fastest option. This happens frequently during rush hour when most roads are equally congested.

In some cases, a route option might become unavailable because a road has closed, an accident has occurred, or construction has blocked a path. Google Maps updates its route calculations in real time based on reported incidents and road closures, so the routes you see reflect current conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the full route on the map before I start navigating?

Yes. When you search for a destination and see route options, each route is drawn on the map in a different color. Tap any route to highlight it and see the full path, estimated time, and distance. This is the best time to review the route and decide if it matches your preferences before you tap "Start."

Will Google Maps automatically switch me to a faster route while I am driving?

Google Maps will notify you if a significantly faster route becomes available, but it will not automatically switch you without your permission. You will see a notification at the top of the screen. Tap it to accept the new route, or ignore it to stay on your current path.

What if I want to avoid tolls or highways but Google Maps shows no alternative routes?

It means there is no practical way to reach your destination without using tolls or highways. In this case, you can either accept the toll or highway route, or you can choose a different destination. Google Maps will tell you if your preferences make a route impossible.

Does changing routes affect my arrival time estimate?

Yes. When you switch to a different route, Google Maps recalculates your arrival time based on the new path and current traffic conditions. The new estimate appears immediately on your screen.

Can I save a favorite route to use again later?

Google Maps does not have a built-in feature to save specific routes, but you can save your destination as a place. Search for the destination, tap the star icon to save it, and the next time you navigate there, Google Maps will remember it. You will still see all available routes and can choose the one you prefer each time.