How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps: Step-by-Step Guide

Toll roads can make trips faster, but they also add to travel costs, especially if you commute regularly or manage multiple deliveries every day. When those toll charges start adding up, knowing how to avoid them becomes important for better cost control and route planning.

Google Maps allows users to avoid toll roads, but many people are not aware of where this option exists or how it affects route selection. With the right settings, you can easily find toll-free routes and compare them with faster paid alternatives before starting your journey.

In this guide, you will learn how to avoid tolls on Google Maps using both mobile and desktop. We will also cover key things to keep in mind when choosing toll-free routes and when it makes sense to go beyond basic navigation for smarter route planning.

How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps Mobile App (Android & iOS)?

Toll roads are a huge hassle, but avoiding them on your mobile device is a breeze with Google Maps. The mobile app makes it simple to route around tolls with just a few taps.

Ready to save some cash?

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to avoid tolls on the Google Maps app for both iPhone and Android devices:

Step 1: Open the Google Maps app on your phone.

Step 2: Type in your desired destination in the search bar, and tap on it once it appears.

Step 3: Tap on the “Directions” button located at the bottom-left corner of your screen. This brings up the route from your current location.

Step 4: Select your preferred mode of transportation (car, walking, biking, or public transit).

Step 5: Choose your starting location by either typing it in or allowing the app to use your current location.

Step 6: Now, look for the three stacked dots located at the top-right corner of the screen next to your starting location.

Step 7: Tap on the dots to reveal a menu, then select “Options.”

Step 8: In the “Trip options” menu, you’ll find a toggle switch labeled “Avoid tolls.” Toggle it on to instruct Google Maps to find a toll-free route.

Step 9: Once you’ve adjusted your settings, tap on the arrow icon to return to the main map screen. Then, tap the blue “Start” button at the bottom-right corner to start navigating.

And that’s it! 

Google Maps will now always give you directions that avoid any toll roads or toll plazas along the way. You’re all set to navigate without handing over your hard-earned cash at a single toll booth.

If you’re looking for more ways to optimize your Google Maps experience, learn how to use Google Maps as a route planner for better trip organization.

If you prefer planning routes on a larger screen or want more control before you start driving, the desktop version of Google Maps offers a similar toll-avoidance setup.

How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps Desktop?

Avoiding toll roads is just as easy on the desktop version of Google Maps. With a computer and internet access, you can conveniently route around tolls with a few simple clicks.

Step-by-Step Guide for Desktop Users

Follow these steps to avoid tolls when planning routes on Google Maps from your Mac or PC:

Step 1: Go to google.com/maps in your web browser to access Google Maps on your desktop.

Step 2: Use the search bar to enter your destination. Click on the name when you see it appear in the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Click the “Directions” button in the top left of the screen.

Step 4: Add your starting point by typing it in and selecting the correct location when it pops up.

Step 5: Below the suggested Google Maps route, on the left sidebar, click on “Options.”

Step 6: In the “Route options” section, you’ll see a checkbox labeled “Tolls.” Check this box to instruct Google Maps to avoid toll roads.

Step 7: Once you’ve selected the toll-free option, click “Close” to save your settings.

Google Maps will now display a toll-free new route for your journey.

It’s that easy to avoid handing over cash at toll plazas!

With just a few clicks, you can conveniently plan your road trip without tolls right from your desktop computer. You can also draw a route on Google Maps to visualize your journey before hitting the road.

While the steps differ slightly, the core toll-avoidance options remain consistent across platforms. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose what works best for your planning style.

Upper provides an intuitive web app packed with AI-powered smart routing algorithms to make your journeys unforgettable. Register for free to see how it can transform your route planning.

Feature	Mobile (Android/iOS)	Desktop
Access to Options	Tap three dots at top-right corner	Click “Options” on left sidebar
Toll-Free Setting	Toggle “Avoid tolls” switch ON	Check “Tolls” checkbox
User Interface	Touchscreen	Mouse and keyboard
Platform	Mobile operating system (Android/iOS)	Web browser

Always Avoiding Tolls

If you want to avoid tolls every time you use the Google Maps mobile app, you can always set your preferences to avoid tolls so toll-free routes are always selected automatically. It is a convenient way to ensure that you never accidentally end up on a toll road.

Permanent Settings Configuration

Here’s how to configure Google Maps to default to avoid toll roads:

1. Open the Google Maps app and tap your profile icon in the top left corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. Tap on “Navigation Settings.”
4. Scroll down and tap “Route Options.”
5. Toggle the switch next to “Avoid Tolls” to the on position.

Now Google Maps will always give you toll-free route options whenever you search for directions!

How to Find Alternative Routes on Google Maps?

Sometimes, you may not be happy with the route Google Maps shows you by default and want to explore the other routes (if any) to reach your destination. In that case, you may look for alternative routes in the following ways.

Method 1: Exploring Options

• Open Google Maps.
• If you want to start from where you are, you can go to the ‘From’ search field and select ‘Your Location’ to auto-fetch your current address. If you want to set some other location as your starting point, you can type in the first few letters of that address and select the right address from multiple suggestions.

Note: Your Google Maps must be able to access your current location. For this, you must go to your phone’s settings and turn on ‘Location access’ under ‘Privacy’. 

• In the ‘To’ field, type the first few letters of your desired destination, and Google Maps will automatically suggest one or more similar addresses. You can then pick the exact location by clicking on it.
• Tap ‘Options’ under the ‘To’ field to open different route options. Turn on the slider against the option you want, such as ‘Avoid Highways’ or ‘Avoid Tolls’. Google Maps will show you the route that takes into account all such factors. 

Method 2: Clicking Route Options

• Open Google Maps and enter your desired destination. 
• Tap ‘Directions’.
• Google Maps will show you the chosen path in blue while the others greyed out. 

If you want to take a certain route, you can click the desired greyed-out route, which will then turn blue. 

Note: You will also notice that there is a route option with a green leaf, which implies that it is the most fuel-efficient route. 

• You can tap ‘Start’ to follow this route and reach your destination.

Challenges when Avoiding Tolls

While avoiding tolls can save money, there are also some downsides to consider:

1. Longer travel times

Analyzing Time vs. Cost Trade-Off

Toll roads are often designed to offer faster and more direct routes, bypassing traffic congestion and urban areas. By opting for toll-free routes, you may encounter slower speeds, additional stops, or winding roads, resulting in longer travel times.

2. Cost Implications and Fuel Use

Toll roads often offer more direct routes with smoother traffic flow.

Calculating Potential Increases

On the other hand, toll-free routes may involve more frequent stops, intersections, or steep inclines, which can lead to increased fuel consumption. 

Over longer distances, the additional fuel costs associated with navigating toll-free routes can offset any savings gained from avoiding tolls.

3. Navigational and Road Challenges

Toll-free routes may take you through less-traveled roads or rural areas that could pose safety risks. 

These roads may have narrower lanes, poorer signage, or inadequate lighting, increasing the likelihood of encountering road hazards such as potholes, wildlife crossings, or adverse weather conditions.

4. Limited navigation options

In some regions, particularly rural areas or less-developed countries, the availability of toll-free routes on navigation apps like Google Maps may be limited. 

As a result, you may have fewer alternative roads to choose from, making it challenging to avoid toll roads completely.

5. Inconvenience and complexity

Opting to avoid tolls may introduce additional complexity and inconvenience to your journey.

Navigating through densely populated areas or navigating around toll plazas may require more frequent lane changes, turns, or detours, increasing the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion or road closures.

When deciding whether or not to avoid tolls, consider factors like:

• How much time you have for your trip
• If you’ll be driving at high-traffic times
• The cost of tolls versus gas for a longer route
• How convenient is the toll-free route?
• Your safety and comfort level

Even with some disadvantages, avoiding tolls is the best option for many drivers. Just weigh the benefits against the drawbacks, depending on your situation.

When Google Maps Isn’t Enough: Advanced Route Planning with Upper

As we’ve seen, avoiding tolls in Google Maps is simple with just a few taps or clicks. But it’s good only for basic route planning. For power users and businesses with complex routing needs, Google Maps has clear limitations that can cost you time and money.

Google Maps Limitations for Multi-Stop Routes

• Routes are restricted to just 10 stops — not ideal for larger delivery operations
• No optimization based on priority stops or time windows — you’re stuck with Google’s fixed sequence
• No vehicle size restrictions — making it unsuitable for logistics that require tailored routing solutions
• No toll-avoidance combined with route optimization — you get one or the other, not both working together

For a detailed breakdown, check our Upper vs. Google Maps comparison.

How Upper Solves These Challenges

This is where trip-routing software like Upper comes in.

With Upper route planning software, you can:

• Upload unlimited stops easily from spreadsheets
• Create routes that avoid tolls and highways while optimizing for efficiency
• Optimize routes based on priority stops, time windows, and service times
• Integrate with other platforms you already use
• Customize routes focused on your priorities
• Optimize routes for time savings and fuel efficiency

Whether you’re an individual driver or a delivery manager, Upper gives you the advanced route customization that Google Maps lacks. It lets you tailor toll-free routes with its route planning tool, focused on what matters most – saving you time and money.

You can also explore how major carriers handle routing in our FedEx, UPS, and Google Maps comparison, or learn about the Google Maps Trip Planner for vacation planning.

Take control of your toll-free routing with Upper. Book a demo today.