How to Use Google Maps Route Planner for Multiple Stops?

What Google Maps can (and can’t) do

Explore different destinations ✅

Find nearby spots ✅

Reach from one place to another ✅

Accurate ETAs and avoid unwanted delays  ✅

Planning a route with multiple stops — Ehh… ❌ [ERROR BUZZER SOUND]

Google Maps has always been a go-to navigation tool for millions worldwide, and why not? It’s simple, smart, and reliable. 

But when it comes to multi-stop route planning and optimization, it hits a roadblock. 

This can be challenging for business owners who rely on Google Maps for managing deliveries.

But here’s the good news: we have created this step-by-step guide, which walks you through:

• Adding multiple stops in the Google Maps route planner
• How do you use Google Maps to plan a route?
• And discover a better, one-stop solution for smarter routing

Ready to shift gears and plan smarter?

Before we accelerate, if you want to create a daily travel route or a custom one with better details, check out our blog.

Add Multiple Stops Using Google Maps Route Planner

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, here’s a quick tl;dr: Google My Maps lets you plan multi-stop routes using layers and color-coded pins.

It also allows you to rearrange stops, visualize the path, save the maps, and later access them on the mobile app.

Now let’s walk through each step:

1. Go to mymaps.google.com.

2. Click “Create a New Map” and name it.

For instance, “Summer Road Trip” or “Saturday Errands.” You can also add a description to recall why this map was created.

3. Search the location you want to visit from the search bar and click “+ Add to map” to put multiple addresses in google maps. 

Repeat this for all your stops until you are done.

4. Click on the “Layers” option from the panel on the left to group the stops.

For example, one layer might be for “Food Stops” and another for “Sightseeing.”

5. Use the “Draw a Line ” icon below the search bar → “Add Driving Route” (or walking or cycling).

6. Click on your starting point, the next destination, and so on by tapping on “Add Destination.”

7. Drag and drop in the side panel to update the route order.

8. Use the “Paint bucket” icon to color-code stops by hovering on the stop you want to edit. 

For instance, red for restaurants and blue for attractions.

9. Click the three dots > “Step-by-step directions” to see the breakdown of your route and time/distance.

10. Use the “Share” button to send your custom map to others.

Note: 

You can also access your custom map on Mobile by: 

• Open the Google Maps app 
• Click the “You” tab 
• Scroll for the “Maps” option to find your saved route.

This was all about how do you add multiple stops on Google Maps. Next, we will focus on using the Google Maps route planner.

Step-by-Step Guide to Use Google Maps Route Planner – Mobile

While we recommend working through this “how-to” breakdown, here’s a quick tl;dr: The “Options” feature lets you avoid tolls, ferries, or highways, while traffic updates adjust routes in real time.

You can set a starting point, preview routes, and enjoy voice-guided navigation with lane guidance and road alerts.

Now, let’s jump into how you can put all of this into action: 

1. Download and launch the Google Maps app on your smartphone (Play Store and App Store).

2. Tap the “Directions” icon and enter your starting point and final destination.

3. Select your mode of travel—car, walking, cycling, or transit.

4. Tap the “Add Stop” button to include additional destinations along your route.

5. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) next to each stop and choose “Edit Stops” to rearrange locations.

6. Tap “Options” to avoid toll roads, highways, or ferries depending on preferences.

7. Check all destinations, travel time, and live traffic updates. Then hit “Start” to begin your voice-guided navigation.

Mobile-friendly? Yes. Route-optimized? Not quite. Use Upper’s app for fast, smart, multi-stop planning.

Plan Your Journey with Google Maps Route Planner on Desktop

Here’s a quick TL;DR if you’re short on time: Routes can be sent to your phone for on-the-go navigation, Google Maps suggests addresses as you type, and it offers alternate routes with estimated time and distance.

Got the highlights? Great, now let’s get into the details.

1. Go to “maps.google.com” using any browser on your desktop or laptop.

2. Click the blue “Directions” icon near the search bar and enter your starting point and destination.

3. Click “+ Add Destination” to include more stops in your route.

4. Drag and drop stops using the six-dot icon next to each address to adjust the route order.

5. Click “Options” right below your stops to avoid toll roads, highways, or ferries based on your preferences.

6. Compare the available routes by distance and time, and select the most suitable one.

7. Click “Send directions to your phone” at the bottom of the directions panel to access the route on your mobile device.

When to Use Google Maps?

We all know that Google Maps Route Planner is a fantastic web-and-mobile-based mapping service. 

However, is it the one for you? Let’s find out!

• Basic directions: It’s great for providing practical and real-time directions from one place to another.
• Distance and time calculation: It measures the exact distance and defines the estimated time of arrival. 
• Personal travel: Perfect for searching the best route for everyday travel within your city.
• Road trips: Excellent for planning a road trip with a few stops along the way, like hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. 
• Small businesses: Perfect for businesses with simple logistics. It boosts visibility and drives foot traffic by focusing on local search.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Maps

A coin has two sides, showcasing upsides and downsides, and so does Google Maps. Let’s break them down:

Pros:

• Google Maps is free route-planning software. And who doesn’t love free stuff?
• Choose your ride — car, bus, bike, or walk — it’s got you covered.
• Helps you dodge those long jams and find the shortest route to your exact location, thanks to the real-time traffic updates.
• Keep your eyes on the road and use voice directions on your mobile device for hands-free navigation.
• From finding the Pinteresty coffee shops to suggesting seamless routes to your favorite restaurants and searching for nearby gas stations, Google Maps does it all in seconds. 
• Offers a 360° panoramic view of the destinations as if you are already standing there. 
• No internet connection? No problem! You can download maps and use them offline without a hitch. 

Cons:

• Only 10 stops at max! That’s tough for individual drivers or businesses that have to handle multiple deliveries. 
• It doesn’t always find the shortest route, leading to longer travel times.
• Google Maps can sometimes navigate you to the wrong spots, especially those with incorrect addresses or that don’t have any. 
• Google Maps can drain your mobile’s battery pretty quickly. This is because of constant data usage, screen brightness, and background functionalities. 
• Street view, continuous location tracking, and data collection can raise privacy concerns.

Discover a Better Way to Find the Best Route

Imagine this: You’ve got a packed day ahead with 40+ stops to make. Google Maps caps out at 10 stops, leaving you to figure out the rest manually. 

Felt stuck, right? 

That’s where Upper route planning software comes into play.

With Upper, you can optimize multiple addresses in minutes. It handles hundreds of drops efficiently, saving you time and fuel. 

Enjoy real-time updates of your driver’s location, authentic proof of delivery, and seamless route modifications on the go.

Don’t believe us? Take a free trial and experience the Upper difference.