This article explains how to create a multi-stop route in Google Maps on both desktop and mobile devices. Google Maps is a great tool for getting from point A to point B, but it can also be used to get you to point C, point D, and beyond.

What to Know

  • Desktop: Google Maps site > blue arrow > enter start and end point > select plus (+) to Add Destination.Mobile: Blue arrow icon > enter start and end point > tap three dots > Add Stop.Google Maps has a limit of 10 stops per route.

How Do You Add Multiple Stops on Google Maps?

The process for adding multiple stops on Google Maps is similar across desktop and mobile apps.

Add Stops on Desktop

To add stops on Google Maps on your desktop, follow these steps.

You can only add stops for driving, cycling, or walking routes. They can’t be used with public transit or rides. 

  • Navigate to Google Maps in your browser.
  • Click the blue arrow next to the search bar to start inputting directions.
  • Enter a starting and ending destination.
  • Click the plus (+) sign under your ending destination to select Add Destination. Enter an additional destination or click the map to add a destination.
  • Repeat this step to add more stops.
  • There is a limit of 10 stops you can add to one route (this includes your starting and ending destinations).
  • To change the order of stops, drag the bullet points to the left of a destination up or down.

Add Stops on Mobile

To add stops on Google Maps on your mobile device, follow these steps.

Navigate to Google Maps in your browser.

Click the blue arrow next to the search bar to start inputting directions.

Enter a starting and ending destination.

Click the plus (+) sign under your ending destination to select Add Destination. Enter an additional destination or click the map to add a destination.

Repeat this step to add more stops.

There is a limit of 10 stops you can add to one route (this includes your starting and ending destinations).

To change the order of stops, drag the bullet points to the left of a destination up or down.

  • Open the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone.
  • Select the blue arrow in the bottom right to begin planning a route.
  • Enter your starting point and ending destination.
  • Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and then select Add Stop.
  • To reorder stops, select and hold a destination to adjust its placement in the order.
  • When you’re finished adding stops, tap Done.

Is There a Way to Add More Than 10 Stops on Google Maps?

Unfortunately, Google Maps sets a hard limit on the number of stops you can enter into one route. You could open a new tab and start a new route from your last stop, but Google actually has an even better solution: My Maps. 

To save time, send a customized Google Maps route to your smartphone by clicking Send directions to your phone from your desktop. This is useful if you’d like to use the full tools offered by the desktop version of Google Maps to build your multi-stop route.

Open the Google Maps app on Android or iPhone.

Select the blue arrow in the bottom right to begin planning a route.

Enter your starting point and ending destination.

Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and then select Add Stop.

To reorder stops, select and hold a destination to adjust its placement in the order.

When you’re finished adding stops, tap Done.

This free tool is part of Google’s Workspace tools and lets you create your own maps and share them with multiple users like a Google Doc. Although My Maps also has a stop limit of 10, you can create additional layers to keep your multi-stop route going.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Navigate to Google My Maps.
  • Click Create A New Map.
  • Select the Add directions icon underneath the search bar.
  • Begin entering your destinations.
  • Once you reach the stop limit, click Add directions again to start a new layer.
  • You can create up to 10 layers on a single map, for a total of 100 stops.
  • Input the final stop from your previous layer and add new stops to keep your route going.
  • My Maps will automatically set the fastest route between destinations, but you can click and drag the route line to set a custom route.

Can I Mark a Route on Google Maps?

Google Maps offers little in the way of customization, but you can add labels to individual stops on your route for a bit of personalization.

Navigate to Google My Maps.

Click Create A New Map.

Select the Add directions icon underneath the search bar.

Begin entering your destinations.

Once you reach the stop limit, click Add directions again to start a new layer.

You can create up to 10 layers on a single map, for a total of 100 stops.

Input the final stop from your previous layer and add new stops to keep your route going.

My Maps will automatically set the fastest route between destinations, but you can click and drag the route line to set a custom route.

  • Open Google Maps and search for a place or address in the search box.
  • You’ll see some information about your destination. Scroll down and select Add a label.
  • Type a personalized note for this location and press Enter on your keyboard.
  • Your label will appear in the location’s description and above the location name on the map.

Open Google Maps and search for a place or address in the search box.

You’ll see some information about your destination. Scroll down and select Add a label.

Type a personalized note for this location and press Enter on your keyboard.

Your label will appear in the location’s description and above the location name on the map.

  • How do I add rest stops on Google Maps?
  • Once you create a route, you can ask Google Maps to find and add rest areas. In the mobile app tap Search (magnifying glass), and then enter rest area. Google Maps will find rest stops along your route; tap one, and then tap Add Stop to add the rest area to your route.
  • How do I search along my route in Google Maps?
  • When you’re heading to your destination, find a safe spot to pull over or have a passenger search for you. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Search along route. When you find a destination you want to add to your journey, tap it, and then tap Add Stop.

Once you create a route, you can ask Google Maps to find and add rest areas. In the mobile app tap Search (magnifying glass), and then enter rest area. Google Maps will find rest stops along your route; tap one, and then tap Add Stop to add the rest area to your route.

When you’re heading to your destination, find a safe spot to pull over or have a passenger search for you. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Search along route. When you find a destination you want to add to your journey, tap it, and then tap Add Stop.

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