Google Maps guide
Daniel Okonkwo writes about phones and mobile apps for Appcyclopedia, working on a MacBook Pro, a Pixel 9 Pro and an iPhone 15.
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Short answer
Search for where you are going, tap Directions, and choose how you are travelling: Driving, Transit, Walking, Cycle or another mode. The best route is drawn in blue; tap a grey one to switch. Tap Start to begin turn-by-turn navigation.
Starting somewhere else: Maps starts from your location. Tap Your location at the top to plan a route from another address.
Below: the steps on a phone and a computer, adding stops, and leaving or arriving at a set time.
How to get a route on Google Maps, on your phone or computer
To get directions on Google Maps, choose the destination first and the way you are travelling second. The first group covers the phone app, the second a computer, and the last covers stops and timing.
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On a phone
Search for the destination and tap Directions
Open Google Maps on your Android phone or iPhone. Search for the place or address, or tap it on the map, then tap Directions at the bottom left. Maps plans a route from where you are.
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Choose how you are travelling
Tap a mode along the top: Driving, Transit, Walking, Ride, Cycle or Motorcycle. Each shows its own routes and times. The best route is blue and the others grey; tap a grey one on the map to use it instead.
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Change the starting point if you are not leaving from here
Tap Your location at the top and type another address, such as your office. The route and times update for the new start.
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Tap Start to navigate
Tap Start at the bottom for spoken turn-by-turn directions. For transit, Maps lists the stops, lines and walking parts instead. Keep your eyes on the road and follow the signs where they disagree with the app.
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On a computer
Click Directions and enter both ends
Go to maps.google.com and click Directions. Enter a starting point and a destination by typing an address, a place name, or clicking the map. Pick a travel mode above the route list; each route shows its travel time.
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Stops and timing
Add stops along the way
On a phone, tap More at the top right, then Edit stops, add the stops and tap Done. On a computer, click Add destination under the destinations. You can have up to 9 stops including the final one, for driving, walking and cycling but not for transit.
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Set when you want to leave or arrive
On a phone, tap More, then Set depart or arrive time, choose Leave or Arrive and tap Set. On a computer, click Leave now and choose Depart at or Arrive by. This works for routes with one destination.
Getting to a job interview across town by 10:00: search for the office, tap Directions, choose Transit, and set Arrive to 9:45. Maps shows which bus to catch and when to leave home, with fifteen minutes to spare.
Set an arrival time for anything with a deadline: Maps then works out when to leave, including the walk to the stop.
More about Google Maps
Google’s free maps for directions, traffic, public transport and places.
If Google Maps directions are not right
- The route starts from the wrong place
Location may be off or inaccurate. Turn on location for Google Maps in your phone’s settings, or tap Your location and type the address you are leaving from.
- You cannot add a stop
Multiple stops are not available for transit or flights, and the limit is 9 stops. Switch to driving, walking or cycling, or plan the trip in two parts.
- There are no transit directions
Public transport data is not available everywhere. Check that the place is served by transit in Maps, or try walking or ride options.
Which travel mode to pick
Each mode builds its routes differently, and the fastest one depends on where you are going.
| Mode | What it plans | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Driving | Car routes with live traffic | Can avoid tolls and motorways |
| Transit | Buses, trains and the walks between | Shows departure times; one destination only |
| Walking | Footpaths and pavements | Up to 9 stops |
| Cycle | Cycle lanes and quieter roads | Not available everywhere |
| Ride | Taxi and ride-hailing options | Shows apps and estimated prices |
Compare two modes before you go: for short city trips, transit or walking is often as quick as driving once parking is counted.
Blue route or grey: choosing between routes
When there is more than one way, Maps draws the one it thinks is best in blue and the others in grey, each with a travel time. The best route is usually the fastest right now, given traffic, not the shortest.
Tap or click a grey route to switch to it. That is worth doing when you know a road Maps prefers is closed or you would rather take a simpler way with fewer turns.
What to do once you have your route
A planned route is ready to use straight away. On a phone, Start turns it into spoken directions that adjust when you take a wrong turn. On a computer, send it to your phone from the route panel so it is waiting when you leave.
Search, tap Directions, choose the mode and tap Start. For a trip you make often, save the place on Google Maps so it is one tap away next time.
Google Maps directions: what people ask
- Can Google Maps avoid tolls and motorways?
- Yes. Before you start, open the route options from More and turn on Avoid tolls or Avoid highways. Maps then plans around them.
- Does navigation use mobile data?
- Yes, a little, to load the map and traffic. Downloading an offline map of the area first lets you navigate with less data.
- How many stops can I add?
- Up to 9 stops including the final destination, for driving, walking and cycling. Transit and flight routes take one destination.
- Can I plan a trip for another day?
- Yes. Set a depart or arrive time, including a date, and Maps estimates the journey for that time.
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Test log
Followed the steps? Tell us how it went on your device. Entries appear here after we check them.
- Worked Every step, start to finish · Marta Kowalczyk and Elias Brandt Team
I tested this
Steps performed and confirmed 9 days ago
When you need this
To find the way somewhere with Google Maps, search for the place, tap Directions and choose how you are travelling. Maps shows the fastest route and the time it takes.
- Describes
- Google Maps app for Android and iPhone · Google Maps in a browser on a computer
- Takes
- Under a minute to plan a route
- Platforms
- Web · iOS · Android
- Published
- 14 October 2026
- Facts checked
- 10 October 2026
Steps repeated and verified by 
Marta Kowalczyk and 
Elias Brandt
on
- Marta Kowalczyk: the iPhone steps on an iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 27.0.1).
- Elias Brandt: the Android steps on a Galaxy S25 (Android 17) and the web steps on a ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Windows 11 Pro).
Limits quoted here come from Google Maps’s documentation and were not tested.
Sources: Google Maps Help, Get directions & show routes (Android)Google Maps Help, Get directions & show routes (iPhone & iPad)Google Maps Help, Get directions & show routes (computer)
Google Maps