How to Add Multiple Stops on Google Maps [Complete Guide 2026]

In a world where efficiency matters, Google Maps stands as an essential navigation tool. More than a billion people turn to Google Maps every month, and each week, over five million active apps and websites use the Google Maps platform’s core products.

Whether you are a delivery driver, salesperson, or traveler on a road trip, you must have faced the challenge of planning multiple stops along the way at some point. 

This is where Google Maps comes in to save the day. Google Maps is capable of much more than simply directing you from point A to point B. This blog walks you through adding multiple stops on Google Maps for multi-stop route planning, utilizing multi-stop route planning software to save your precious time and effort.

So, let’s embark on a journey on how to add multiple locations on Google Maps.

How Google Maps Handles Multiple Stops for Effortless Route Planning

Google Maps is more than simply navigation software; it’s the perfect routing companion, especially if your plan includes multiple stops. If you’re wondering how to add a location in Google Maps, let’s first take a closer look at how the magic of multiple stops works:

1. Planning efficiency: Google Maps offers the functionality to create maps with multiple locations to make things easier while traveling to more than one destination. This feature serves as a time-saving ally.

2. Real-time route adjustments: Google Maps recalculates your route based on your stop sequence in real time. As you add destinations, real-time traffic data is taken into account to ensure you take the shortest and fastest route to each location.

3. Turn-by-turn directions: Google Maps provides turn-by-turn directions for every segment of your route. This eliminates the need to enter each address or location data manually. Rather, the route scheduling software takes you from one location to the next automatically.

4. Time estimations: Google Maps gives estimated arrival times for each destination, allowing you to organize your day better. Whether it’s an important business meeting or delivering packages on time, you’ll know exactly when you’ll arrive.

5. Flexibility: Not everything goes as planned. Google Maps adjusts on the go if you need to make an unscheduled halt. It provides simple directions to your new location without any fuss.

6. Sharing your journey: You can share your current location and directions with others for increased convenience. They can keep track of your progress and meet you along the way.

7. Route optimization: While Google Maps ensures efficient navigation, it’s essential to note that it doesn’t optimize routes when you have multiple stops. That’s where advanced route planning tools come into play, allowing you to fine-tune your journey for maximum efficiency.

How to Add Multiple Locations in Google Maps App? (iPhone/Android)

Adding multiple locations on the Google Maps mobile app is straightforward. Here’s how to do it on both iPhone and Android:

1. Open the Google Maps app on your iOS or Android device. Download it from the App Store or Google Play Store if you haven’t already.

2. Set your starting point by tapping the Directions button (blue icon). Google Maps automatically uses your current location, but you can change it by tapping “Your location” and entering a different address.

3. Enter your first destination in the “Choose destination” search field.

4. Add additional stops by tapping the three-dot menu icon (upper right corner), then selecting “Add stop.” A new search bar appears for your next destination. Repeat this step to add up to 9 stops (10 total including your starting point).

5. Reorder your stops by tapping and holding the stop you want to move, then dragging it to your preferred position.

6. Tap “Finished” once you’ve added and arranged all your stops.

7. Choose your transportation mode (driving, cycling, or walking) and preview the available routes.

8. Tap “Start” to begin turn-by-turn navigation through all your stops.

Need to drop a pin for a location without a street address? You can tap and hold anywhere on the map to drop a pin, then add it as a stop.

If you prefer planning routes ahead of time or working on a larger screen, the desktop version of Google Maps offers a similar multi-stop setup with a few interface differences.

How to Add Multiple Locations on Google Maps Using the Website

Google Maps is a versatile tool not only available on mobile devices but also accessible through the website on your desktop. If you prefer planning your routes on a larger screen, follow these steps to map multiple locations on the Google Maps website:

1. Open Google Maps on your desktop: Launch your preferred web browser and go to the web version of Google Maps by visiting maps.google.com.

2. Choose your transportation mode: There is a “Directions” (blue) button in the top left  corner. To begin planning your journey, click on it. Pick a method of transportation that suits you best, such as driving, biking, or walking. Note that multiple stops are not supported by public transport mode.

3. Set your starting location: Your starting point will be automatically determined by Google Maps based on your current location. Click “Your location” at the top of the screen to update it if it’s incorrect.

4. Add first destination: Type your first stop into the “Choose destination” search bar or choose it from your recent places.

5. Add additional stops: To add more stops, click “Add destination” and input the address. Repeating this process will allow you to add more destinations. You can add up to nine stops to a single road trip on Google Maps.

6. Arrange and optimize stops: To rearrange the order of your stops, click and drag the destinations up or down. This allows you to customize the driving route according to your preferences.

7. Send directions to your mobile device: Once all of your stops have been added and are in the sequence that you prefer, click on “Send directions to your phone.” Google Maps has a number of ways of sending your route, including notifications, email, or text messages.

Now that we’ve shown you how to add locations on Google Maps let’s understand in detail how to optimize your multi-stop routes using it.

How to Optimize Your Multi-Stop Route with Google Maps

If you’re using Google Maps for multi-stop routes, optimizing your journey for efficiency is a valuable skill. While Google Maps doesn’t provide automated route optimization for multiple stops, you can still manually arrange your destinations for the most efficient route. Here’s how to do it:

1. Rearrange stops for an optimized route

• Prioritize stops: Consider the order of your stops carefully. Google Maps provides driving directions based on the order of your multiple destinations, so placing them in an efficient sequence can save time and reduce travel distance.
• Drag-and-drop: Google Maps allows you to drag and drop your stops to rearrange them. Take advantage of this feature to fine-tune your route. For instance, if you need to reach destination F before destination C, drag F above destination C. Repeat this process until you’ve created an efficient sequence.
• Avoid backtracking: Try to minimize backtracking by organizing your stops in a loop or circular pattern. This can prevent unnecessary doubling back on your route.

2. Consider traffic, highways, tolls, and ferries

• Traffic awareness: Make use of the real-time traffic information provided by Google Maps. In order to avoid congestion, make sure to check the traffic conditions along your route and, if it’s feasible, plan your stops during off-peak times.

• Highway, toll road, and ferry planning: Google Maps can assist you with proper planning if your route involves highways, toll roads, or ferries. Depending on your priorities, you may decide to avoid using these routes to save money or time.

Routing multiple addresses under one route, check 11 best multi-stop route planning apps that go beyond the Google Maps capabilities.

How to optimize routes in Google Maps by avoiding highways, tolls, or ferries

In the mobile app:

For mobile users, here are the steps to optimize your multi-stop route:

1. Open Google Maps.

2. Tap the Directions icon (blue button).

3. Input multiple addresses, as explained earlier.

4. Once you’ve added all your destinations, tap the three-dots icon in the upper-right corner.

5. Select “Options.”

6. Toggle the switches next to the options for avoiding tolls, motorways, and ferries as needed.

On the website:

For those using the Google Maps website, follow these steps:

1. Open your web browser and go to the web version of Google Maps by visiting maps.google.com.

2. Add multiple destinations using the steps described earlier.

3. Click on “Options.”

4. Under “Avoid,” select highways, tolls, or ferries to optimize your route according to your preferences.

Now that we understand how to optimize multi-stop routes let’s explore how to customize them with Google Maps.

Tips for Customizing Your Multi-Stop Routes in Google Maps

Google Maps is not just a navigation tool; it’s a versatile platform with advanced route options and customization features that can elevate your experience while mapping multiple locations. Here’s how:

• Marker customization: Customize your location map with markers that suit your unique taste or convey particular information. To differentiate different locations of interest, change the marker color, symbol, or label.
• Adding points of interest: You can highlight important places on Google Maps, like shops, buildings, or sites, with points of interest. This makes it easy to locate key locations on your map.
• Varied pin colors: Assign different colors to pins on your google map to categorize or prioritize destinations. For example, you can use one color for work-related stops and another for personal errands.
• Custom labels: Add custom labels to locations on the map. For instance, you can mark your home, workplace, or specific points of interest with personalized labels.
• Map style: To personalize the visual aspect of your maps, you can choose from a variety of map styles. Depending on your preferences, you can choose terrain, satellite view, or night mode.
• Offline maps: Save maps for offline usage so you can navigate even when you don’t have an internet connection.
• Sharing and collaboration: Share your customized maps with others to collaborate. Whether you’re planning a group vacation or collaborating with coworkers, shareable maps make it easier to communicate.
• Google My Maps: Google My Maps offers the functionality to create a custom map with multiple locations. You can give the map a distinctive map name and save it for later use. Afterward, if needed, you can also personalize your created route on the map by clicking on the marker icon.

What are the Limitations of Google Maps?

When it comes to route planning with Google Maps, multiple destinations, while incredibly useful, however, it do have their limitations.

• Limited stops: The foremost limitation is that Google Maps restricts the number of stops you can add to your route. With a maximum of 10 stops allowed, this might suffice for basic travel needs but falls short for more complex itineraries. 
• No route optimization: Another constraint to bear in mind is that Google Maps doesn’t offer route optimization for multi-stop journeys. It follows the sequence of your stops, which may not always be the best route, leading to potential time and fuel waste.

How to Overcome Google Maps’ Limitations?

It is evident that using Google Maps may be suitable as long as you have a very small delivery radius with stops not exceeding 10. However, if you have to scale your delivery or service business, this universally popular route planner may not be your ideal fit. 

It is where you can consider Google Maps alternatives like Upper that set you free from this 10-stop constraint and not just plan but also optimize your multi-stop routes. Here are the advantages that such route planners provide

• Versatility in stops: Upper allows you to import CSV or Excel files, enabling you to add hundreds of stops at once. Whether you’re managing a delivery fleet or planning a road trip, this feature significantly expands your routing capabilities.
• Optimized routes: Upper doesn’t just help you plan routes; it optimizes and re-orders the sequence of stops based on your preferences– be it time or distance. This ensures you’re taking the most efficient path, saving both time and resources.
• Multi-vehicle planning: If you have multiple vehicles on your fleet, Upper can generate optimized routes for multiple vehicles simultaneously, streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.
• Service time management: Assigning service times and time windows for deliveries ensures your packages reach their destinations on time, meeting critical deadlines and enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Accurate ETAs: Upper’s route planning provides accurate Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) calculations. This isn’t just convenient for you but also helps you better communicate with your customers regarding their deliveries.
• Tracking and proof of delivery: You can track your drivers in real time with Upper’s live driver tracking feature. Additionally, drivers can collect proof of delivery with photos, notes, and e-signatures, ensuring transparency and accountability through its comprehensive electronic proof of delivery software.
• Flexibility: Last-minute changes happen. With Upper, you can make these changes without the hassle of re-planning the entire route. It’s as simple as dragging and dropping stops to update your timeline automatically.
• Integration capabilities: Upper offers seamless integration with various third-party platforms and software, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and work with existing systems effectively.

Upper: Multi-Stop Route Optimization Built for Business

Adding multiple locations on Google Maps works fine for a handful of stops. But what happens when you’re a delivery driver with 40 packages, a field service manager coordinating 15 technicians, or a sales team covering 50 client visits weekly?

You hit Google Maps’ ceiling fast, 10 stops maximum, no automatic optimization, no way to split routes across drivers, and zero visibility once vehicles leave. 

You spend hours manually planning, creating multiple trips just to cover daily stops, and hoping you’ve figured out the most efficient sequence.

This is exactly why businesses switch to Upper:

Upper is a route optimization software built for delivery operations, field service teams, and any business routing more stops than Google Maps allows. Here’s what it delivers:

• Unlimited Stops, Optimized Automatically: Upload hundreds of addresses via CSV or Excel. Upper calculates the most efficient sequence in seconds—not the order you entered, but the actual fastest path. Teams complete 24% more daily deliveries without adding drivers.
• Multi-Driver Route Distribution: Distribute stops across your entire fleet with one click. Upper balances workloads, respects start locations, and optimizes every route simultaneously. Businesses report 28% more stops completed per day.
• Delivery Windows and Time Constraints: Upper builds routes that respect customer time slots and service windows automatically, helping teams maintain a 99.9% on-time delivery rate.
• Real-Time Tracking and Proof of Delivery: See where every driver is, share accurate ETAs with customers, and capture electronic signatures, photos, and delivery notes, all in one platform.
• Last-Minute Flexibility: Drag and drop to adjust routes instantly. Upper recalculates without starting over, reducing last-minute delays by 76%.

Upper has served 10,000+ clients, optimized 1.22B+ shipments, and generated $300M+ in logistics savings.

Ready to see how Upper handles your routes? Book a demo with our team, we’ll show you exactly how much time and money you could save using your actual delivery data.