How to Create a Custom Route on Google Maps
How to Create a Custom Route on Google Maps GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Connected Car Tech 22 22 people found this article helpful
You can only create custom routes with My Maps from a desktop browser. However, you can view the routes you’ve made on both Android and iOS devices.
Navigate to Google Maps and make sure you’re signed in to your Google Account.
Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner.
Select Your places from the drop-down menu.
Select Maps in the top row and then click Create Map. Your custom map will open in a new window.
Click Untitled Map in the top-left to enter a name and description for your map.
Click Save to confirm.
One downside to My Maps is it doesn’t let you navigate your custom route in real-time in Google Maps. Instead, it’s more valuable as an offline map tool you can use as a reference while navigating to your destination.
To begin, select Add directions under the search bar. This will create a new directions layer in the menu located on the left side of the screen.
You can add up to 10 layers on a custom map. Having additional layers is useful if you want to create multiple custom routes for a single trip. Select your transportation mode by clicking the Driving icon under the new map layer.
Google’s custom routes do not support transit. You can only select driving, cycling, or walking. Enter your departure point in the A text box.
Enter your destination point in the B text box.
You can add multiple stops along your route in Google Maps, up to a maximum of 10. Google will automatically plot a route. Then, to customize it, click and drag the destination line to the desired point.
Your custom route will be saved to your Google Drive automatically.
The screenshots below were taken on an iPhone, but the process is identical on Android. Open the Google Maps app.
Tap the Saved icon from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Maps.
Open the map you’d like to view. You should see your custom route displayed.
Click Add layer.
Click the Add marker icon under the search bar.
Click the location you’d like to pin. Enter a name for the pin and click Save.
The location will now be pinned to your map. From here, you’ll be able to: Change the font color.Change the pin icon.Edit location name.Add a photo or video to make the location more visible on your map.Add directions to the location.
Click Draw a line under the search bar.
Select Add line or shape.
You can also choose to draw a driving, cycling, or walking route with this tool. This is useful if you want to fine-tune your route, but the Add directions tool is more intuitive for plotting an A to B route. Click the location on your map where you’d like your line or shape to start.
Drag the cursor to another point and click to pin a line. Once you’re finished, double-click to confirm line or shape placement.
Your line or shape will now appear in your map legend on the left-side of the screen. From here, you can edit the color and width, change the name, add a photo or video, or delete.
FAQ How do you create a route with multiple stops on Google Maps? After adding a starting point and a destination, select Add Destination on the left, below the destinations. Next, enter the destination for the next stop and repeat for all the stops you need to add. Finally, select a route to get the directions. How do I share a custom route on Google Maps? After you create a custom route, you can send it to someone by selecting the Share button. Google Maps will provide a link that you can copy and send to others. In addition, you can select Let others search for and find this map on the internet if you wish to share it publicly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Draw on Google Maps How to Drop Multiple Pins on Google Maps How to Add Stops on Google Maps How to Drop a Pin in Maps on iPhone Use Google My Maps to Send a Custom Route to Your Phone How to Use Live View on Google Maps How to Plan an Alternate Route With Google Maps How to Use the Garmin Connect Course Creator Tool How to Save a Location on Google Maps How to Make a Timeline on Google Slides How to Find Your Parked Car With Google Maps How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps How to Avoid Highways on Google Maps How to Find Alternate Routes on Google Maps The 5 Best Gas Apps to Help You Save at the Pump Creating and Using Custom Brushes in Photoshop Elements Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
How to Create a Custom Route on Google Maps
Experiment with new ways to get to your destination
By Nick Steinberg Nick Steinberg Writer Wilfrid Laurier University Nick Steinberg has been writing about technology since 2014. His work has appeared in Goliath, Screen Rant, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 11, 2022 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Connected Car Tech Navigation Android Auto Apple CarPlayWhat to Know
Desktop: Open Google My Maps > Add directions > Transportation mode > Departure point > Destination point. Click and drag route line to customize route.Add a marker to map: Open Google My Maps and click Add layer > Add marker > click location and select Save.Android and iOS (view only): In the Google Maps app, tap Saved > Maps. Select the saved custom route you'd like to view. With the Google My Maps tool, you can build custom routes for any upcoming trip. This lets you plan the route exactly how you want, and you can even share your custom routes with others.You can only create custom routes with My Maps from a desktop browser. However, you can view the routes you’ve made on both Android and iOS devices.
How Do I Create a Custom Route in Google Maps
Creating a custom route in Google Maps is a two-step process. First, you'll need to create a new map in My Maps and add a custom route. Below, you'll find instructions for both tasks:Navigate to Google Maps and make sure you’re signed in to your Google Account.
Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner.
Select Your places from the drop-down menu.
Select Maps in the top row and then click Create Map. Your custom map will open in a new window.
Click Untitled Map in the top-left to enter a name and description for your map.
Click Save to confirm.
One downside to My Maps is it doesn’t let you navigate your custom route in real-time in Google Maps. Instead, it’s more valuable as an offline map tool you can use as a reference while navigating to your destination.
Customize Your Route on Google Maps
Now that you have your map, it’s time to plan a route.To begin, select Add directions under the search bar. This will create a new directions layer in the menu located on the left side of the screen.
You can add up to 10 layers on a custom map. Having additional layers is useful if you want to create multiple custom routes for a single trip. Select your transportation mode by clicking the Driving icon under the new map layer.
Google’s custom routes do not support transit. You can only select driving, cycling, or walking. Enter your departure point in the A text box.
Enter your destination point in the B text box.
You can add multiple stops along your route in Google Maps, up to a maximum of 10. Google will automatically plot a route. Then, to customize it, click and drag the destination line to the desired point.
Your custom route will be saved to your Google Drive automatically.
How to Access Custom Routes on Mobile
Once you’ve finished a custom route, you’ll be able to access it on the go with your mobile device. While you won't be able to edit your maps, you can still view custom routes on any Android or iOS device using Google Maps.The screenshots below were taken on an iPhone, but the process is identical on Android. Open the Google Maps app.
Tap the Saved icon from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Maps.
Open the map you’d like to view. You should see your custom route displayed.
Can You Draw a Route on Google Maps
In addition to directions, you can add markers, lines, and shapes to your custom route in My Maps.Add a Marker
If you want to plan stops along your route, you can use a custom marker to indicate those points.Click Add layer.
Click the Add marker icon under the search bar.
Click the location you’d like to pin. Enter a name for the pin and click Save.
The location will now be pinned to your map. From here, you’ll be able to: Change the font color.Change the pin icon.Edit location name.Add a photo or video to make the location more visible on your map.Add directions to the location.
Add a Line or Shape Desktop
You can use lines and shapes to fine-tune the route you're creating on Google Maps. Here's how to add them.Click Draw a line under the search bar.
Select Add line or shape.
You can also choose to draw a driving, cycling, or walking route with this tool. This is useful if you want to fine-tune your route, but the Add directions tool is more intuitive for plotting an A to B route. Click the location on your map where you’d like your line or shape to start.
Drag the cursor to another point and click to pin a line. Once you’re finished, double-click to confirm line or shape placement.
Your line or shape will now appear in your map legend on the left-side of the screen. From here, you can edit the color and width, change the name, add a photo or video, or delete.
FAQ How do you create a route with multiple stops on Google Maps? After adding a starting point and a destination, select Add Destination on the left, below the destinations. Next, enter the destination for the next stop and repeat for all the stops you need to add. Finally, select a route to get the directions. How do I share a custom route on Google Maps? After you create a custom route, you can send it to someone by selecting the Share button. Google Maps will provide a link that you can copy and send to others. In addition, you can select Let others search for and find this map on the internet if you wish to share it publicly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Draw on Google Maps How to Drop Multiple Pins on Google Maps How to Add Stops on Google Maps How to Drop a Pin in Maps on iPhone Use Google My Maps to Send a Custom Route to Your Phone How to Use Live View on Google Maps How to Plan an Alternate Route With Google Maps How to Use the Garmin Connect Course Creator Tool How to Save a Location on Google Maps How to Make a Timeline on Google Slides How to Find Your Parked Car With Google Maps How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps How to Avoid Highways on Google Maps How to Find Alternate Routes on Google Maps The 5 Best Gas Apps to Help You Save at the Pump Creating and Using Custom Brushes in Photoshop Elements Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies