Google Maps knows the fastest route to almost anywhere on Earth. But what if you have more than one place to visit? Perhaps you're a delivery driver who must cover several locations on a single ride. Organizing your road trips with multiple stops in Google Maps can help you save time and energy. So, instead of choosing a new destination at every stop, the app automatically reroutes to your next destination.

Here's how to add multiple location stops in Maps from your pocket-friendly Android phones, tablets, and computers. And if you prefer it over Apple Maps on your iPhone, make Google Maps your default navigator.

How multiple stops work in Google Maps

You can add up to nine destinations on the Google Maps app or website. You'll receive directions based on your order of arrangement, and the travel time will be estimated in real time based on your mode of transportation. While you can't add multiple destinations on public transport, you always have access to a handful of your favorite apps, including Phone, Messages, and Media.

Once you start your trip, the app uses turn-by-turn directions to guide you to your destination. You can add to and rearrange your destinations if you need to make an unplanned stop. Sharing your location and directions with third parties is also an option if you want them to monitor your movements.

Google Maps doesn't offer route optimization when using multiple stops, so it's best to rearrange destinations according to the order of importance or closeness (more on that later). However, you can plan your trips to avoid tolls, ferries, and highways so that Maps can choose the best route without them.

Turn-by-turn direction isn't available on the web version. You can only create multiple destinations and send the directions to your phone. If your stops include new routes or addresses that are typically hard to find, drop a pin in Maps to spot them easily in the future. When it's all clicked, you can save your multi-stop route and reuse it in the future.

How to add multiple stops to your Google Maps itinerary

While you can create multiple Google Maps routes on the web and mobile app, the web version will eventually direct you to the app. So, it's best to use the app instead. The web page doesn't give you turn-by-turn navigation, but you can create stops and send them to your phone for directions. You'll need to sign in to your account for this trick work. Also, the website version may not detect your location if you access it with a phone, even though it is turned on from your device's or browser's settings menu.

Add multiple stops in the Google Maps app for Android and iOS

  1. Open Google Maps.
  2. Tap the Directions button.
  3. Google Maps automatically sets the starting point to your current location. If it's inaccurate, tap Your location at the top of the screen to change it.
  4. Tap Choose a destination to enter your first stop or select it from the recent places you've visited.
  5. Click the three-dots icon beside Your location, then click Add stop.
  6. Tap Choose destination again to insert another address. You can repeat this step up to nine times to add stops.
  7. Use the drag icon to rearrange your stops. Tap x to remove a destination from the list.
  8. When you're through, tap Done to save your stops.
  9. Select your transportation mode. Remember, multiple destinations don't work with public transit.
  10. Tap Start to reach your stops with turn-by-turn navigation.

Consider downloading Google Maps offline to avoid getting stranded with possible poor network coverage along your route.

Add multiple stops in Google Maps on the website

  1. Open your browser and go to google.com/maps.
  2. Click the Directions button on the search bar.
    Directions icon on Google Maps website
  3. Select your transport mode. Multiple stops don't work with public transit.
    Transportation modes on Google Maps website
  4. Type a starting point or tap Your location to use your current position.
  5. Type your first destination.
  6. Click Add destination to add a stop. To add more stops, repeat this step up to nine times.
    Adding stops on Google Maps website
  7. Click Send directions to your phone.
    Send directions to your phone option on Google Maps website
  8. Use the provided options to send your routes to your phone via a notification, email, or text message.
    Sending multiple stops direction to device on Google Maps website

How to optimize your multi-stop route in Google Maps

Though Google Maps doesn't offer route optimizations when using multiple stops, you can manually optimize them for the most efficient route. Maps will label your stops as A, B, C..., and H according to your number of stops and order of arrangement, so it's easier to reorder them efficiently. For instance, if you'll reach destination F before C, drag the former up. Repeat the same trick until you have an optimized route.

If you own a delivery business and use Google Maps to plan your delivery routes, optimizing it beforehand will help you save fuel and time in the long run.

Google Maps can also search for highways, ferries, and tolls to avoid them as much as possible. But you must activate the feature first, as it doesn't happen automatically when you create multiple destinations.

Optimize multi-stop routes in Google Maps on the mobile app

  1. Open Google Maps.
  2. Tap the Directions icon.
  3. Create multiple stops, as illustrated in the above section.
  4. Once you've created multiple destinations, tap the three-dots icon in the upper-right corner and select Options.
  5. Tap the toggle switches beside the options for avoiding tolls, motorways, and ferries.

Alternatively, you can activate these optimized route options from the Maps settings menu:

  1. Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Scroll up and tap Navigation settings.
  4. Under Route options, tap the toggle switches.

Optimize multi-stop routes in Google Maps on the website

  1. Open your browser and go to google.com/maps.
  2. Create multiple stops using the steps mentioned above.
  3. Click Options.
    Google Maps website version
  4. Under Avoid, select highways, tolls, or ferries.
    Route options on Google Maps website

How to save multi-stop route for later use in Google Maps

Route planning and optimization in Google Maps can be exhausting. But you can save multiple stops as a shortcut on your phone's homescreen for later use. This trick isn't available on the web version.

  1. After creating multiple destinations, tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner.
  2. Select Add route to Home screen.
  3. Google Maps will label the route after the last destination. Click Okay below the screen to save it.

Depending on your Android phone launcher, you can change the multi-stop shortcut title and icon on your home screen.

The Multiple Stops feature isn't perfect yet

Google Maps' multiple stops feature is ideal for planning short trips with no more than nine destinations, which may not be the best solution if you deliver numerous customer orders. The absence of route optimization is also a big deal when you have to run time-sensitive errands. For better optimization, look into other maps and navigation apps as an alternative to Google Maps.