When planning a road trip, running a sequence of errands around town, or organizing a delivery route, navigating from point A to point B is rarely enough. You often need to go from point A, to point B, to point C, and finally end up at point D. Instead of constantly closing out of your navigation to search for your next destination, Google Maps allows you to build a comprehensive route with multiple stops.
By adding multiple stops to your trip, Google Maps will calculate the total drive time, provide a unified set of turn-by-turn directions, and seamlessly transition you to the next leg of your journey as soon as you arrive at an intermediate destination.
This guide explains how to add multiple stops to your route using the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
How to Add Multiple Stops to Your Route
You can add up to nine stops to a single trip, in addition to your starting location.
- Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or Android device.
- Tap the Search here bar at the top of the screen and enter your first destination.
- Tap the blue Directions button at the bottom of the screen. Maps will calculate the standard route from your current location to that first destination.
- In the top right corner of the screen, next to the “Your location” and destination text boxes, tap the three vertical dots (Menu icon).
- From the drop-down menu that appears, tap Add stop.
- A third text box labeled “Add stop” will appear below your first destination, designated by the letter “B” or “C”. Tap on this new box and search for your second destination.
- To add even more stops, simply tap the new Add stop box that automatically appears below the one you just filled.
How to Reorder Your Stops
If you realize that hitting the grocery store before the post office makes more logistical sense, you do not need to delete and re-enter the locations. Google Maps allows you to easily drag and drop your destinations to reorganize the route.
- Look at the list of your destinations (A, B, C, etc.) at the top of the screen.
- To the right of each destination, you will see an icon resembling two or three horizontal lines (the “drag handle”).
- Press and hold the drag handle next to the stop you want to move.
- Drag the destination up or down in the list to its new position, and then release your finger.
- Google Maps will instantly recalculate the total drive time and route based on the new order.
Starting Your Journey
Once you are happy with the order of all your stops, tap the blue Done button (if visible) or simply tap the blue Start button at the bottom of the screen to begin your turn-by-turn navigation.
When you arrive at “Stop A,” your phone will announce that you have reached your destination. To continue to “Stop B,” simply tap the Continue button that appears on your screen, and the navigation will instantly resume.