How to Add Multiple Stops to Your Route in Maps

Adding multiple stops to a route in Google Maps lets you plan a trip with several destinations in one go, whether you’re running errands, planning a road trip, or coordinating deliveries. You enter your starting point, add each stop in the order you want to visit them, and Maps calculates the best driving or walking directions for the whole sequence. You can reorder stops, get turn-by-turn navigation for each leg, and even send the route to your phone. To get started, you’ll need the Google Maps app on your phone or access to the website on a computer, and you’ll need to be signed in to your Google account if you want to save the route.

What You’ll Need

• A device with Google Maps (smartphone, tablet, or computer) and an internet connection.
• A Google account if you want to save the route to your saved places or send it to your phone.
• The addresses or names of all the places you want to visit.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Google Maps on your device. On a phone, tap the app icon; on a computer, go to maps.google.com.
2. Get directions: Tap the blue “Directions” button (usually a blue arrow icon) on the phone, or click the “Directions” button on the website.
3. Enter your starting point: In the “Choose starting point” field, type your address or a place name. If you want your current location, leave it blank or tap the crosshair icon.
4. Enter your first destination: In the “Choose destination” field, type the address or name of your first stop. This is the first place you want to go after your start.
5. Add a stop: Tap the “+” button (on phone) or the “Add destination” button (on website) that appears below the destination field. A new line will appear.
6. Enter the next stop: Type the address or name of your second stop in the new field. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each additional stop you want to add. You can add up to 9 stops in total (including the starting point and final destination).
7. Reorder stops (optional): To change the order, tap and hold the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) next to a stop on the phone, then drag it up or down. On the website, click and drag the stop name with your mouse.
8. Review your route: Once you’ve added all stops, Maps will automatically calculate the route. You’ll see the total distance and estimated travel time on the left (or bottom on mobile). Check that the order makes sense for your trip.
9. Start navigation: Tap the “Start” button (on phone) or “Directions” button (on website) to begin turn-by-turn navigation. On the website, you can also click “Send directions to your phone” to get the route on your mobile device.
10. Save the route (optional): To save for later, tap the “Save” button (star icon) on the phone or the “Save” option on the website. You can then find it in your “Saved” tab.

Common Mistakes

• Not reordering stops: Maps uses the order you enter stops, not the most efficient route. If you enter stops in a random order, you might drive back and forth. Always reorder to minimize backtracking.
• Forgetting the starting point: If you leave the starting point blank, Maps uses your current location, which is fine. But if you’re planning for a different time or from a different place, make sure to enter it.
• Adding too many stops: Google Maps allows a maximum of 10 stops in total (including start and end). If you need more, split your trip into multiple routes.
• Using the wrong app version: The web version and mobile app have slightly different interfaces. On the web, the “Add destination” button might be hidden behind a “More” menu if you have too many stops.
• Ignoring traffic and road closures: Maps calculates the fastest route based on current conditions, but it may not account for planned closures or events. Always double-check the route visually.

Tips

• Use the “Optimize order” feature (if available): On some platforms, Google Maps offers a button to automatically reorder stops for the most efficient route. Look for a “Optimize” or “Sort” option.
• Drag the route line: On the map, you can click and drag the blue route line to force a specific road or avoid a particular area. This gives you manual control.
• Add stops from your saved places: When typing a stop, you can tap the “Saved” tab to quickly add places you’ve starred or saved.
• Send routes between devices: If you plan on your computer, click “Send directions to your phone” to get it on your mobile app. If you plan on your phone, you can share the route via email or messaging.
• Check the total time and distance: Before starting, look at the total time and distance. If it seems too long, consider reordering or removing stops.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t add more stops: If the “+” button is grayed out, you’ve reached the limit of 10 stops (including start and end). Remove a stop or split the trip.
• Stops are not in the right order: You may have accidentally dragged a stop to the wrong position. Use the drag handles to reorder them, or delete and re-add the stop.
• Route shows “Cannot compute”: This usually happens when the start and end are the same, or when a stop is unreachable. Check that all addresses are correct and that there is a drivable route between them.
• Maps keeps using a different starting point: If you didn’t enter a starting point, Maps uses your current GPS location. To override, type a specific address in the start field.
• The route is missing a stop: Make sure you actually added the stop and didn’t just type it in the search bar. The stop must appear in the list of directions.
• On the web, the “Add destination” button is missing: If you have many stops, the button may be hidden. Scroll down in the left panel or look for a “More” menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stops can I add to a Google Maps route?

You can add up to 10 stops in total, which includes your starting point and final destination. That means you can have 8 intermediate stops.

Can I add stops after starting navigation?

Yes, you can. During navigation, tap the “More” menu (three dots) and select “Add stop”. You can also use voice commands like “Hey Google, add a stop to [place]”.

Does Google Maps automatically reorder my stops for the fastest route?

No, it does not automatically reorder them. It uses the order you provide. However, some versions have an “Optimize” button that can reorder stops for you.

Can I share my multi-stop route with someone else?

Yes, you can share a link to your route. On the website, click the “Share” button. On mobile, tap the three dots and select “Share directions”. The recipient can then open the route in their own Maps app.

Can I use multi-stop routes on Google Maps without an internet connection?

You can view the route if you’ve downloaded offline maps for the area, but live traffic and re-routing will not work. It’s best to have a connection for navigation.

Why is my route showing a longer time than expected?

This could be due to traffic, road closures, or the order of your stops. Check if there’s a faster alternative by reordering stops or dragging the route line to avoid congested areas.

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