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.

Some directions in Google Maps are in beta, and may have limited availability. Always be cautious when using directions on Google Maps, remain aware of your surroundings at all times, and take necessary means to ensure safety of yourself and those around you. When in doubt, follow signage from the road or path that you are on when using directions.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom left, tap Directions Directions.
  4. Choose one of the following:
    • Driving: Driving
    • Transit: Transit
    • Walking: Walking
    • Ride: Ride services
    • Bicycle: Cycling
    • Flight: Flight
  5. To see the list of driving, walking, or biking directions, on the bottom left, tap Steps Steps.

Notes:

  • To choose another route, tap it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.
  • If you’re looking for directions in an area with ride or taxi services, you can compare ride services with transit and walking directions. Learn how to request a ride.
  • For transit directions, choose a route, then tap the white bar.
  • Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. Before you can get transit directions, your local transit agency needs to add their route info to Google Maps. See which cities are covered.
  • Learn more about how to search for flights.

Add multiple destinations

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom left, tap Directions Directions.
  4. In the top right, tap More More and then Add stop.
  5. When you are finished, tap Done.

Notes:

  • You can add up to 9 stops.
  • Directions to multiple destinations, or waypoints, 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 Reorder and then drag the destination.

Customize your route

Avoid tolls and highways
  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom left, tap Directions Directions.
  4. At the top, tap Driving Driving.
  5. In the top right, tap More More and then Route options.
  6. Turn on Avoid tolls or Avoid highways.
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 iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom left, tap Directions Directions.
    • To edit your starting point, go to the box at the top of the screen and tap Your location.
    • To edit your destination, tap what's listed in the "to" box.
  4. Tap Preview.
Adjust your time of departure

If you miss a train or arrive early as you follow a transit journey on Google Maps, you can now select alternate departures to adjust the trip in the moment. 

Important: When you select a new time, your current and future transit times automatically update based on your new departure time.

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. Search for your destination or tap it on the map.
  3. In the bottom left, tap Directions Directions.
  4. Tap Transit Transit.
  5. At the top, enter your starting location.
  6. Confirm your departure date and time, then tap the route you want. Your route details will open.
  7. Under your departure station name, you’ll find up to 2 later departure times, if available. For example, you might find “Also at 1:30 PM & 2:15 PM.”
  8. To expand your departure options, on the left, tap the arrow. Maps shows you other departure times, if available.
    • If you don’t find a time you want, tap More departures and review all available departure times and trip details. Use the back arrow to return to departure times and make your selection.
  9. Tap the departure time you want.

Other ways to use directions

Share directions

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

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Google Maps app Maps.
  2. In the bottom left, tap Directions Transit Maps Directions icon.
  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 .

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