---
title: "How To Plan Fuel-Efficient Routes on Google Maps in 2026"
url: "https://www.upperinc.com/blog/fuel-efficient-route-planning-on-google-maps/"
date: "2022-08-05T13:01:25+00:00"
modified: "2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00"
type: "Article"
resource: "https://www.upperinc.com/blog/fuel-efficient-route-planning-on-google-maps/"
timestamp: "2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00"
author:
  name: "Rakesh Patel"
  url: "https://www.upperinc.com/"
categories:
  - "Google Maps"
word_count: 3202
reading_time: "17 min read"
summary: "Google Maps' fuel-efficient routing uses eco-friendly algorithms to suggest routes that reduce fuel consumption, and enabling it takes less than two minutes. If you run a delivery operation, this f..."
description: "Learn how to enable fuel-efficient routes on Google Maps step by step. Set your engine type, compare routes, and maximize fuel savings for deliveries."
keywords: "fuel efficient routes google maps, Google Maps"
language: "en"
schema_type: "Article"
related_posts:
  - title: "How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps: Step-by-Step Guide"
    url: "https://www.upperinc.com/blog/how-to-avoid-tolls-on-google-maps/"
  - title: "How to Draw a Radius on Google Maps the Easy Way"
    url: "https://www.upperinc.com/blog/how-to-draw-radius-google-maps/"
  - title: "How to Use Google Maps Route Planner for Multiple Stops?"
    url: "https://www.upperinc.com/blog/how-to-use-google-maps-route-planner/"
---

# How To Plan Fuel-Efficient Routes on Google Maps in 2026

_Published: August 5, 2022_  
_Author: Rakesh Patel_  

![Fuel efficient route planning on google maps](https://www.upperinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/fuel-efficient-route-planning-google-maps-1024x512.jpg)

**Google Maps’ fuel-efficient routing uses eco-friendly algorithms to suggest routes that reduce fuel consumption, and enabling it takes less than two minutes**. If you run a delivery operation, this feature is worth turning on today.

Fuel is one of the highest variable costs for delivery businesses. As per a report by the [PTOLEMUS Consulting Group](https://www.ptolemus.com/insight/rising-fuel-prices-case-for-fms/), fuel typically accounts for 30–40% of total operating costs for commercial fleet operators.

Most delivery operators already use Google Maps daily but haven’t enabled its fuel-efficient routing features, leaving real savings on the table.

This guide covers how fuel-efficient route planning works on Google Maps, step-by-step setup instructions for your drivers, practical tips to maximize Google Maps fuel savings, and when your operation needs more than a free navigation app can offer.

Table of Contents

- [How Does Fuel-Efficient Routing Work on Google Maps?](#how-does-fuel-efficient-routing-work-on-google-maps)
- [How To Enable Fuel-Efficient Routes on Google Maps](#how-to-enable-fuel-efficient-routes-on-google-maps)
- [Tips To Maximize Fuel Savings With Google Maps](#tips-to-maximize-fuel-savings-with-google-maps)
- [What Are the Limitations of Google Maps for Delivery Route Planning?](#what-are-the-limitations-of-google-maps-for-delivery-route-planning)
- [How Route Optimization Software Reduces Fuel Costs Beyond Google Maps](#how-route-optimization-software-reduces-fuel-costs-beyond-google-maps)
- [Cut Fuel Costs Across Your Delivery Operation With Upper](#cut-fuel-costs-across-your-delivery-operation-with-upper)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](#faqs)



## How Does Fuel-Efficient Routing Work on Google Maps?

**Google Maps’ eco-friendly routing is a built-in feature that calculates routes optimized for lower fuel consumption, not just shortest distance or fastest time**. It’s available on both Android and iOS and works for gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

### How Google Maps Calculates Fuel-Efficient Routes

Google partners with the [U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)](https://www.energy.gov/ea/national-renewable-energy-laboratory) and uses data from the European Environment Agency to power its eco-friendly routing.

The algorithm factors in road grade (hills), traffic congestion patterns, speed limits, and stop-and-go frequency to determine which route burns the least fuel.

Engine type plays a key role. Routes optimized for gas vehicles differ from those calculated for diesel, hybrid, or electric vehicles because each engine has different fuel consumption patterns at different speeds and road conditions. Google estimates fuel efficiency for your specific engine type and displays a green leaf icon on the most efficient route option.

When enabled, the feature suggests the eco-friendly route by default whenever the arrival time is roughly the same as the fastest route.

### Does Fuel-Efficient Routing Add Time to Your Delivery Route?

Google Maps only suggests the eco-friendly route when the arrival time is comparable to the fastest route. The typical time impact is 1-5 minutes per trip, while fuel savings can be meaningful when compounded over a full day of deliveries.

In cases where the time increase is significant, Google Maps defaults to the fastest route but still shows the fuel-efficient alternative with relative savings so the driver can decide. For delivery operations, the right choice depends on the day’s route density and delivery time windows.

### Fastest Route vs. Fuel-Efficient Route

**Google Maps shows both options simultaneously with estimated fuel savings between them**. The fuel-efficient route reduces consumption by avoiding stop-and-go traffic, steep inclines, and highway segments where engines burn more fuel at higher RPMs.

For delivery operations, drivers with tight time windows may need the fastest route for certain trips. But for flexible deliveries or return trips to the depot, consistently choosing the fuel-efficient route compounds savings across every driver, every day.

Understanding how Google Maps calculates fuel-efficient routes gives you the foundation. Here’s exactly how to enable and configure the feature on your devices.

## How To Enable Fuel-Efficient Routes on Google Maps

Enabling fuel-efficient routes on Google Maps takes less than two minutes. Here’s how to set it up on both Android and iOS, configure your vehicle type for accurate fuel estimates, and get the most out of each route comparison.

### Step 1: Set Your Vehicle Engine Type

#### 1.1 Open Vehicle Settings

Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Navigation > Vehicle engine type (labeled “Your vehicles” on newer versions). Select the correct engine type: Gas, Diesel, Hybrid, or Electric.

This step is critical because fuel-efficient routing calculations change based on engine type. Diesels are more efficient at steady highway speeds, hybrids perform better on surface streets with regenerative braking, and EVs avoid routes with long uphill grades that drain range.

#### 1.2 Why Engine Type Matters for Delivery Vehicles

Most delivery vans and trucks run on gas or diesel, and selecting the wrong type gives inaccurate route suggestions. If your operation has mixed vehicle types, each driver should configure their own device to match their vehicle.

Here’s how Google Maps adjusts fuel-efficient routing by engine type:

 | Engine Type | Routing Priority | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | Avoids hills, prefers steady speed | Standard delivery vans |
| Diesel | Favors highway segments at consistent RPM | Box trucks, larger vehicles |
| Hybrid | Favors lower speeds with regenerative braking | Urban stop-and-go deliveries |
| Electric | Avoids long uphill grades, factors in range | EV delivery vehicles |



### Step 2: Enable the Fuel-Efficient Route Preference

#### 2.1 Turn On the Setting

When viewing directions, tap the three dots (More), then Route options, and toggle “Prefer fuel-efficient routes” ON. You can also find this under Settings > Navigation > Route preferences > Prefer fuel-efficient routes.

Once enabled, Google Maps defaults to the fuel-efficient route whenever the arrival time is comparable to the fastest route.

#### 2.2 What Changes After Enabling

A green leaf icon appears next to the most fuel-efficient route option. Google shows estimated fuel savings (or relative efficiency) compared to the fastest route. If the fuel-efficient route adds significant time, Maps still shows the fastest route as default but displays the green alternative so drivers can compare.

### Step 3: Compare Routes Before Driving

#### 3.1 Read the Route Comparison Screen

After entering a destination, Google Maps displays multiple route options with time and fuel-efficiency indicators. Look for the leaf icon and the “saves fuel” or “most fuel-efficient” label. Tap each route option to see the estimated arrival time difference and relative fuel savings.

#### 3.2 Make the Right Choice for Each Trip

For deliveries with tight time windows, the fastest route may be necessary even if it burns more fuel. For flexible deliveries or return trips to base, consistently choosing the fuel-efficient route compounds savings over time. Train drivers to check the comparison screen rather than blindly following the default.

### Step 4: Combine With Other Google Maps Features

#### 4.1 Avoid Tolls and Highways When Appropriate

Under Route options, toggle off highways or tolls for additional cost savings. Highway avoidance often aligns with fuel efficiency for certain vehicle types since surface streets mean lower speeds and less aggressive fuel burn. You can find more details in our guide on how to [avoid tolls on Google Maps](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/how-to-avoid-tolls-on-google-maps/).

#### 4.2 Use Real-Time Traffic Data

Google Maps’ real-time traffic layer helps avoid congestion, one of the biggest fuel-wasters for delivery vehicles. Idle time in traffic consumes approximately 0.5-0.7 gallons per hour for delivery trucks with zero delivery progress. Check the traffic layer before dispatching drivers during peak hours.

With fuel-efficient routing enabled and configured for your vehicle type, Google Maps will start suggesting lower-fuel-cost routes by default. But the feature alone doesn’t maximize savings. The next section covers practical strategies to get even more out of it.

 ![](https://www.upperinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/txwfp9rgjemor38un3.svg)See it in action



#### Reduce Delivery Fuel Costs by 25-40% With Optimized Routes

Google Maps optimizes one trip at a time. Upper optimizes your entire day's deliveries across all drivers for maximum fuel savings.

Try It Free →   ![Reduce Delivery Fuel Costs by 25-40% With Optimized Routes](https://www.upperinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/svgviewer-output-1.svg)

## Tips To Maximize Fuel Savings With Google Maps

Enabling the eco-friendly route setting is step one. Delivery businesses that consistently reduce fuel costs combine Google Maps’ routing with operational habits that compound savings across every driver, every day.

### 1. Plan Routes During Off-Peak Hours When Possible

Google Maps’ fuel-efficient routing is most effective when traffic is lighter, and the algorithm has more route options to compare. Schedule non-urgent deliveries for mid-morning or early afternoon when congestion drops.

Even a 30-minute shift in departure time can change which route Google flags as fuel-efficient. Businesses focused on [fleet fuel management](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/fleet-fuel-management/) already build this into their daily planning.

### 2. Use Lite Navigation for Two-Wheeler and Urban Deliveries

Google Maps’ lite navigation mode provides essential turn-by-turn info without keeping the full map active on screen. For bicycle couriers and scooter deliveries, this reduces battery drain and encourages following the eco-friendly route without constant screen checking. The feature is available on both iOS and Android.

### 3. Group Nearby Stops Before Opening Google Maps

Google Maps optimizes individual routes, not multi-stop sequences. As a fuel-efficient route planner, it works well for single trips but can’t sequence multiple stops for minimum mileage.

For more than 5-6 stops, plan the sequence by geographic clusters before entering destinations. This is one of the simplest ways to start reducing fuel waste across your team.

### 4. Check Gas Station Locations Along Your Route

Google Maps can display gas stations along your route, helping drivers refuel at the cheapest nearby option rather than the most convenient one. Search “gas stations” along the route view to compare prices.

Plan refueling stops at the route’s midpoint rather than when the tank is near empty, which often forces drivers into detours.

These habits turn Google Maps from a basic navigation app into a fuel-saving tool. But for delivery operations running more than a handful of stops per day, Google Maps has structural limitations that cap how much you can save.

## What Are the Limitations of Google Maps for Delivery Route Planning?

**For solo drivers or delivery businesses running fewer than 10 stops per day, Google Maps’ fuel-efficient routing is genuinely sufficient**.

The eco-friendly toggle, combined with the operational tips above, can meaningfully reduce fuel costs without additional software. But delivery operations running multiple drivers across dozens of stops per day hit limitations that fuel-efficient routing alone can’t solve.

### 1. Limited to 10 Stops per Route

Google Maps caps routes at 10 stops (including start and end points), which means eight actual delivery stops. Most delivery operations handle 20-80+ stops per driver per day.

Drivers must create multiple separate routes, losing the fuel-efficiency optimization between route segments. If you’ve tried to [add multiple locations on Google Maps](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/how-to-add-multiple-locations-on-google-maps/) for a full day’s work, you know this limitation firsthand.

### 2. No Multi-Stop Route Optimization

Google Maps routes stops in the order you enter them, not the most efficient sequence. Manual stop ordering for 15+ stops is virtually impossible to optimize by eye. Poor stop sequencing is the #1 cause of wasted fuel in delivery operations, causing drivers to backtrack, crisscross service areas, and cover unnecessary miles.

For businesses exploring better options, dedicated [delivery route planner apps](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/best-delivery-route-planner-app/) solve this specific problem.

### Can Google Maps Optimize Routes for More Than 10 Stops?

No. Google Maps does not support route optimization beyond its 10-stop cap, and it doesn’t sequence those stops for efficiency either. Workarounds like splitting a route into multiple 10-stop segments lose the cross-route optimization that saves the most fuel.

For operations with more than 10 stops per driver, dedicated [route optimization software](https://www.upperinc.com/) sequences all stops algorithmically to minimize total miles and fuel consumption.

### 3. No Multi-Driver Coordination

Each driver navigates independently with no centralized view of activity. There’s no way to balance workloads, avoid overlapping routes, or reassign stops between drivers. Fuel waste multiplies when two drivers unknowingly cover the same neighborhood on the same day.

### 4. No Delivery-Specific Analytics

Google Maps doesn’t track total miles driven, fuel consumed, or route efficiency across your team. Without data, there’s no way to measure whether fuel-efficient routing is actually reducing costs.

Delivery businesses need route performance metrics to identify which drivers or routes waste the most fuel.

These limitations don’t make Google Maps a bad tool. They make it a consumer navigation app being used for a job it wasn’t designed for. Route optimization software fills exactly these gaps.

 ![](https://www.upperinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/txwfp9rgjemor38un3.svg)See it in action



#### Plan Multi-Stop Routes for Every Driver in Under a Minute

Upload your stop list from a spreadsheet, and Upper builds optimized routes for your entire team. No more 10-stop limits or manual sequencing.

Try Upper Free →   ![Plan Multi-Stop Routes for Every Driver in Under a Minute](https://www.upperinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/svgviewer-output-1.svg)

## How Route Optimization Software Reduces Fuel Costs Beyond Google Maps

Route optimization software picks up where Google Maps leaves off. Instead of optimizing one route at a time, these platforms analyze all your stops, drivers, and constraints simultaneously to build the most fuel-efficient plan across your entire operation.

### 1. Algorithmic Stop Sequencing Eliminates Backtracking

Route optimization algorithms solve the vehicle routing problem (VRP), calculating the most efficient stop order across hundreds of stops and multiple drivers. This eliminates the #1 fuel waster: poor stop sequencing that causes drivers to crisscross their service area.

Delivery operations with 10-50 drivers in urban and suburban markets report 25-40% fuel savings compared to manually sequenced routes. The [benefits of route optimization](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/benefits-of-route-optimization/) extend well beyond fuel, but fuel savings alone often cover the software cost.

Here’s what that looks like in real dollars: a 10-driver delivery team averaging 40 stops per day at $3.50/gallon, driving 80 miles per driver per day. With 25% route optimization savings, that’s 200 fewer miles per day at roughly $0.18 per mile in fuel cost, totaling $36 per day or $720 per month in fuel alone.

At 40% savings, that number climbs to $1,150 per month. These figures are based on urban and suburban delivery operations with 10 drivers. Actual savings vary by route density, vehicle type, and geography.

### 2. Multi-Driver Workload Balancing Reduces Total Miles

The software distributes stops across drivers based on proximity, capacity, and time windows. Instead of each driver covering a random set of stops, routes are geographically clustered to minimize total mileage.

This coordination is impossible with Google Maps, where each driver operates independently. Platforms focused on [route optimization for fuel cost reduction](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/route-optimization-fuel-cost-reduction/) make this the default behavior.

### 3. Time Window and Capacity Constraints Prevent Wasted Trips

Route optimization factors in delivery time windows, vehicle capacity, and driver availability. Stops that can’t be reached within their time window get reassigned rather than attempted and failed.

Failed delivery attempts mean return trips, doubling fuel costs for those stops.

### 4. Route Analytics Identify Ongoing Fuel Waste

Delivery analytics dashboards track actual miles driven, planned vs. actual routes, and fuel efficiency trends over time. Tools with [route management analytics](https://www.upperinc.com/features/route-management-analytics/) let managers identify which drivers or territories consistently waste fuel and take corrective action.

Data-driven route adjustments compound fuel savings week over week.

Here’s how the three approaches compare for a 10-driver delivery team averaging 40 stops per driver per day in urban and suburban markets:

 | Metric | Google Maps Eco-Routing Only | Google Maps + Operational Tips | Route Optimization Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stops supported | 10 per route | 10 per route | Hundreds per driver |
| Fuel savings per trip | 5-15% | 10-20% | 25-40% |
| Daily fuel savings (10 drivers) | $5-10 | $10-18 | $36-58 |
| Planning time | Manual per driver | Manual per driver | Under 1 minute for all drivers |
| Route analytics | None | None | Full dashboard (miles, efficiency, trends) |

 Route optimization software doesn’t replace Google Maps. Drivers still use navigation apps for turn-by-turn directions. It replaces the planning layer, ensuring every driver starts the day with the most fuel-efficient route sequence possible.

## Cut Fuel Costs Across Your Delivery Operation With Upper

Planning fuel-efficient routes on Google Maps is a useful starting point that every delivery driver should enable. The eco-friendly toggle, combined with smart operational habits, can reduce fuel costs by 5-15% per trip. But for operations running more than a handful of stops per day, the real fuel savings come from optimizing the entire route sequence, not just individual segments.

Upper’s route optimization engine analyzes all your stops and builds the shortest, most fuel-efficient route sequence for every driver on your team. Import your stop list from a spreadsheet, set time windows and vehicle constraints, and get optimized routes for your entire team in under a minute.

Drivers follow the optimized sequence using their preferred navigation app, including Google Maps, with multi-stop route planning that handles hundreds of stops instead of Google Maps’ 10-stop cap.

Beyond route planning, Upper provides one-click dispatch to send routes to all drivers simultaneously, real-time GPS tracking for live fleet visibility, and smart analytics that track miles driven and route efficiency over time.

Delivery operations with 10-50 drivers in urban and suburban markets report 25-40% fuel savings and a 95% reduction in planning time. Chef Nicole’s Miami-based meal delivery service increased deliveries by 3x and saved 10 hours per week after switching from manual Google Maps planning to Upper.

See how Upper can reduce your delivery fuel costs. [Book a demo](https://calendly.com/upper/demo) to get a personalized route optimization walkthrough for your operation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Navigation > Route preferences and toggle “Prefer fuel-efficient routes” ON. Also set your vehicle engine type under Vehicle settings for accurate fuel calculations. The feature is available on both Android and iOS.

  Yes. Google’s eco-friendly routing uses data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to calculate routes that reduce fuel consumption. Savings vary by trip but can reduce fuel use by 5-15% per route when the eco-friendly option avoids stop-and-go traffic and steep grades.

  Google Maps supports up to 10 stops per route (including start and end), but it does not optimize the stop order for fuel efficiency. It routes stops in the order you enter them. For multi-stop optimization, dedicated route planning software sequences stops to minimize total miles driven.

  The fastest route minimizes travel time regardless of fuel consumption. The fuel-efficient route minimizes fuel use by avoiding high-consumption road segments like steep hills, heavy congestion, and frequent stops. Google Maps shows both options with estimated time and fuel-savings comparisons.

  Yes. Google Maps adjusts fuel-efficient route calculations based on your selected engine type (gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric). Diesel engines are more efficient at highway speeds, while hybrids perform better on surface streets with regenerative braking. Setting the correct engine type ensures accurate route recommendations.

  For solo drivers with fewer than 10 stops, Google Maps’ fuel-efficient routing provides real value. For delivery businesses managing multiple drivers or more than 10 stops per day, route optimization software offers multi-stop sequencing, driver dispatch, and route analytics that Google Maps doesn’t support.

  Delivery operations with 10-50 drivers in urban and suburban markets report 25-40% fuel savings with route optimization software compared to manually sequenced routes. The savings come from algorithmic stop sequencing that eliminates backtracking, multi-driver workload balancing, and time-window optimization that prevents failed delivery attempts.

  Open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then go to Settings > Navigation > Route preferences and toggle “Prefer fuel-efficient routes” OFF. Google Maps will default to the fastest route but still show the fuel-efficient alternative marked with a green leaf icon so you can switch per trip.

  No. Google Maps shows relative fuel savings between route options before you drive, but it does not track actual fuel consumption or cumulative savings over time. For fuel cost tracking across your delivery team, route optimization software with built-in analytics provides miles-driven and efficiency reporting.

  Eco-friendly routing with the “Prefer fuel-efficient routes” toggle is available only on the Google Maps mobile app (Android and iOS). The desktop version of Google Maps shows route options but does not include the fuel-efficiency preference or green leaf indicators.

  Waze does not offer a dedicated fuel-efficient routing feature. It optimizes for speed and traffic avoidance, which can indirectly save fuel, but it doesn’t calculate routes based on fuel consumption, road grade, or engine type the way Google Maps does. For fuel-focused routing, Google Maps’ eco-friendly feature is the better choice among free navigation apps.


---

_View the original post at: [https://www.upperinc.com/blog/fuel-efficient-route-planning-on-google-maps/](https://www.upperinc.com/blog/fuel-efficient-route-planning-on-google-maps/)_  
_Served as markdown by [Third Audience](https://github.com/third-audience) v3.6.1_  
_Generated: 2026-07-14 07:28:08 UTC_