Get directions and show routes

You can get directions for driving, public transit, walking, or biking on Google Maps. Whenever you see multiple routes, the best route to your destination is blue. Other routes are in gray on the map.

Maps | Get directions and show routes

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  4. Choose one of the following:
    • Driving: Driving
    • Transit: Transit
    • Walking: Walking
    • Rides: Ride Services
    • Cycling: Cycling
  5. To see the list of directions, tap the bar at the bottom that shows travel time and distance.
  6. To choose another route, tap it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.

Notes:

  • For transit directions, choose a route, then tap the bar at the bottom that shows travel time and distance.
  • Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. See which cities are covered.

See directions for scooters and motorcycles

Note: This feature is not available in all locations.

To see simple steps while you ride a motorcycle or scooter, switch to two-wheeler directions.

You'll be routed away from roads where two-wheelers aren’t allowed. You may be directed towards shortcuts along narrower side roads.

  1. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  2. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  3. Tap Two-Wheeler Two-wheeler and then Start.

Tips:

  • Before you start your trip, you can see your next turns up close. Tap the white circles along the route.
  • To see more info or add a stop (if you picked your own vehicle), tap a landmark.

Add multiple destinations

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  4. In the top right, tap More More and then Add stop. You can add up to 9 stops.
  5. Tap Done.

Notes:

  • Directions to multiple destinations aren’t available for public transit or rides.
  • To change the order of your stops, find the destination you want to move and then touch and hold Reorder Menu and then drag the destination.
  • You can search for places along your route.

Customize your route

Avoid tolls and highways
  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  4. At the top, tap Drive .
  5. In the top right, tap More More and then Route options.
  6. Tap Avoid tolls or Avoid highways.
  7. Tap Done.
Change your starting point or destination

By default, your starting point is your location. To change where you start and where you're going, follow the steps below. Note: You can't start navigation if you don't use your current location, but you can still see a preview of the route.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
    • To edit your starting point, at the top of the screen, tap Your location.
    • To edit your ending point, tap what's listed in the destination box.
  4. Tap Preview.

Other ways to use directions

Save a route to see directions offline

When you’re connected to the Internet, you can save a route on your phone or tablet. Then, you can find the directions when you’re offline.

Note: Saved routes for all modes of transit are currently available in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Russia. Only one route can be saved at a time.

Save a route

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. Make sure you’re connected to the Internet.
  3. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  4. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  5. From the top, choose your mode of transit.
  6. Tap the white bar at the bottom. It’s the one that shows the travel time and distance.
  7. At the bottom, tap Save offline.

Notes:

  • Your route is saved on your phone or tablet. Make sure to use the same phone or tablet when looking for a saved route.
  • Your saved route expires after 30 days.
  • Your route will show you the same mode of transit you chose when you saved the route.

Find a saved route

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. At the bottom, tap Saved offline route.

Notes:

  • If you save a route from “Your location” and look up a saved route, the directions will start from the place where you saved the route. The directions won’t start from your current location.
  • To see updated information like traffic, tap Refresh Refresh.
  • Turn-by-turn navigation isn’t currently available for saved routes. To search for places and get turn-by-turn navigation, download an offline area.
Share directions

To send someone directions and a link to the route in Google Maps, follow the steps below.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Maps.
  2. In the bottom right, tap Directions Directions.
  3. Select a route.
  4. In the top right, tap More More.
  5. Tap Share directions.
  6. Choose an app to share directions.
Send directions to your phone or tablet

To send directions to your phone or tablet, follow the steps below.

  1. On your computer, open Google Maps and make sure you're signed in.
  2. Get directions. To change your route, drag the route line.
  3. Click Send directions to your phone.
  4. Choose a phone, tablet, email, or text.

Note: If you have more than one destination, you can't send directions to your phone or tablet .

Was this article helpful?
How can we improve it?