How to Use Google Maps

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: November 27, 2023

Google Maps is an incredibly versatile tool that makes it quick and easy for you to find your way from point A to point B--whether that's a quick jaunt down the street or a cross-continental trip. Best of all, it's completely free. This wikiHow teaches you how to get started with Google Maps on your computer, phone, or tablet. With a little practice, you'll never get lost again!

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Getting Directions

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1
Open Google Maps. It has an icon with a map background and a red pin on it and the letter "G" on it. Tap the icon on your smartphone or tablet.
- To get the Google Maps app for your smartphone, you can download it for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPad, or the Google Play Store on Android devices.
- Google Maps works best if you have locations turned on. You can turn on locations in the Settings menu on iPhone and iPad. To turn on locations on Android, swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers. Then tap the "Locations" icon that resembles a map marker. Locations are not available when using Google Maps on a desktop browser.
- You can also access Google Maps on a computer by visiting https://www.google.com/maps in a web browser. However, Google Maps in a web browser doesn't have the ability to track your location or give you turn-by-turn directions.
2
Type an address or name of a place in the search bar. The search bar is at the top of the screen on smartphones and tablets, and in the upper-left corner in a desktop web browser. Type an address or landmark name into the search bar. This displays a list of search results below the search bar.
- For example, if you want to find 123 Main Street in Appleton, California, you'd type exactly that into the search bar: 123 Main Street, Appleton, CA. Add the zip code if you know it can help Google Maps find the place you're looking for, but you often won't need it.
- You can use the image as well. For example, if you want to find the local library, you might type in something like Norman Library Appleton, CA.
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3
Tap a location in the search results. This marks the location on the map using a red map maker icon
- You can zoom in and out on the map by placing your thumb and index finger on the screen and move them apart or bringing them closer together. On a web browser, use the mouse wheel, or the plus (+) or minus (-) keys to zoom in and out.
4
Tap Directions. It's the blue button at the bottom of the screen. This displays a line on the map that highlights the route to the location you searched for. The color of the line indicates traffic conditions.
- To edit the starting point of the directions, type the name or address of the starting location in the bar at the top of the page on mobile, or at the top of the panel to the left in a web browser.
- Tap the button that says Steps & more to view a list of turn-by-turn directions.
- There is no "Directions" button when using Google Maps on a web browser. However, it will display directions to your location automatically.
5
Tap Start. It's the blue button at the bottom of the screen. This starts navigation directions to your locations. Google will tell you where to turn to get to your destination.
- If you get multiple routes, tap the one that you wish to use. Often, Google Maps will offer you more than one route from the starting point you choose to your destination. For each route, it will display an estimated travel time for the trip and a short description of the route (e.g., "via I-880 North"). Pick the route from the list that is most appealing to you. This may be the shortest one, the one that avoids highways, tolls, or traffic congestion.
- Guided navigation is not available when viewing Google Maps on a desktop browser.
6
Select a transportation method. Tap the icons below the search bar at the top to select a transportation method. Google Maps displays driving directions by default. You can also select the following options:
- Driving: Tap the icon that resembles a car.
- Public transportation: Tap the icon that resembles a train.
- Walking: Tap the icon that resembles a person walking.
- Uber/Lyft: Tap the icon that resembles a person with a suitcase. Then tap Uber or Lyft at the bottom of the screen. Then tap one of the ride-sharing options at the bottom of the screen and then tap Open app to open the Uber or Lyft app.
- Bicycle: Tap the icon that resembles a person riding a bike.
- Plane: Tap the icon that resembles an airplane. Then tap See flights on Google to search for available flights. This option is only available in a web browser and on tablets.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Adding Additional Stops

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Tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Google Maps.
Get directions to a location. Use the search bar at the top to search for an address or the name of a place. Then tap Directions to get directions to the name of a place.
It's the icon with three dots to the right of the search bar at the top. This displays the options menu.
It's in the menu that appears when you tap the icon with three dots next to the search bar. This adds another search bar below the starting and ending search bar at the top.
5
Enter an address or name of a place in the new search bar. This adds the new location as a stop along your route. Each time you add a new stop, an additional search bar will appear below the search bars. You can add as many stops as you need.
- To remove a stop, tap the "X" icon to the right of a stop at the top of the screen.
- To change the order of a stop, tap the icon with two or three line (☰) in the search bar next to a stop. Then drag the stop up or down.
It's the blue button below the list of stops at the top of the screen. This finalizes your route. You can tap Start to begin guided navigation.

Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Avoiding Tolls, Highways, and Ferries

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Tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Google Maps.
Get directions to a location. Use the search bar at the top to search for an address or the name of a place. Then tap Directions to get directions to the name of a place.
It's the icon with three dots to the right of the search bar at the top. This displays the options menu.
it's the first option at the top of the Options menu. This displays route options you may want to avoid.
5
Tap the checkbox or toggle switch next to the route options you want to avoid. You can tell Google Maps to avoid Highways, Tolls, or Ferries when possible.
- On iPhone and iPad, you can also tap Remember settings to apply your route options to all Google Map queries.
Tap Done or
. On Android, tap the blue button that says Done On iPhone and iPad, tap the icon that resembles a bracket pointing left in the upper-left corner to return to the map.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Sharing Directions and Locations

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Tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Google Maps.
Get directions to a location. Use the search bar at the top to search for an address or the name of a place. Then tap Directions to get directions to the name of a place.
It's the icon with three dots to the right of the search bar at the top. This displays the options menu.
These are the last options in the options menu. "Share directions" allows you to share directions to a location. "Share location" allows you to share your current location.
If you are sharing your location, you can select how long you want your location to be sharable. You can tap the radio option next to "For 1 hour" and tap the plus (+) or (-) icon next to the option to increase or decrease the time your location will be available. Tap the radio button next to "until you turn this off" to share your location until you turn your locations off or close.
6
Tap an app you want to share your directions or location over. You can share your directions and location using your text messaging app, in an email using your email app, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, or another app of your choice This will create a new message with a URL to your directions in the messaging app you select.
- Tap More to view a complete list of apps on your device.
- Alternatively, you can tap icon that resembles two overlapping squares to copy the URL to your directions and manually paste it in whichever apps you want to use.
Use your email or messaging app to select a contact you want to share your location or directions with.
Write a brief message to explain to your contact that you are sharing directions or your location, and that they can view it using Google Maps on their own device.
Once you compose with the URL in it, tap the option to send the message. Your contact will be able to view your location or directions in the Google Maps app on their own device.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Finding Local Businesses and Attractions

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1
Open Google Maps. Google Maps is available on both computers and mobile devices. To access Google Maps on a computer, visit https://www.google.com/maps google.com/maps in a web browser. On mobile phones and tablets, tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or Apps menu. It has an icon with a red, green, blue, and yellow map marker.
- Google Maps works best if you have locations turned on. You can turn on locations in the Settings menu on iPhone and iPad. To turn on locations on Android, swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers. Then tap the "Locations" icon that resembles a map marker. Locations are not available when using Google Maps on a desktop browser.
2
Select the type of location you're looking for. The tabs below the search bar allow you to search for different types of services near your location. Tap one of the tabs to view a list of nearby services. Swipe left on the tabs to view more options. Options include, Restaurants, Coffee, Bars, Hotels, Gas, Attractions, Parks, and more.
- If the service type you are looking for isn't listed, tap More to view all options, or type the service you are looking for in the search bar.
- You can also type the name of a specific business chain (i.e. Starbucks, Walmart) in the search bar to view a list of businesses nearby.
3
Use the tabs and drop-down menus to filter your search results. Once you tap one of the tabs, the tabs are replaced with tabs and drop-down menus that can be used to filter your search results. Tap one of the tabs or drop-down menus to filter your search results by Price, Open Now, Top rated, Visited, Haven't Visited, Good for Kids, and more.
- Some options, such as Restaurants have additional options, such as Cuisine, or the ability to take reservations.
4
Click or tap a location. Business and landmarks are listed at the bottom of the screen or in the panel to the right when viewed on a web browser. Click or tap the name of a location to view information, such as the address, phone number, parking information, website, menu and prices (if applicable), and more.
- Click or tap the address to mark its location on the map.
- Click or tap Directions to get directions to the business.
- Click or tap Call or the business phone number to dial the business phone number in your smartphone call app.
- Click or tap Prices to view prices for service.
- Click or tap Menu to view a menu of food the business serves.
- Click or tap Reviews to see reviews of the business.
EXPERT TIP

Hunter Rising
wikiHow Staff Writer
Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing.

Hunter Rising
wikiHow Staff Writer

"If you're planning a vacation or just want to keep track of places you want to visit in your city, it's so helpful to save places of interest on Google Maps. If you find a restaurant you want to try or a museum you'd like to visit, just click "Save" and add it to a list. When you're stuck figuring out what to do, open up one of your lists in the "Saved" section to see all of the places marked on the map."

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Changing Map Types

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Google Maps is available on both computers and mobile devices. To access Google Maps on a computer, visit https://www.google.com/maps google.com/maps in a web browser. On mobile phones and tablets, tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or Apps menu. It has an icon with a red, green, blue, and yellow map marker.
2
Tap the map icon. It's the icon that resembles two squares overlapping. It's to the right below the search bar.
- If you are viewing Google Maps in a desktop web browser, click the button at the bottom of the screen that toggles between the default map and satellite map view, or click the icon that resembles three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner.
3
Tap a map type. There are three main map types you can choose from.
- Default: This displays the normal colored-coded Google Map.
- Satellite: This displays a realistic view of the map using satellite imagery.
- Terrain: This displays the default map, but with additional shading to indicate the terrain.
4
Tap the map details you want to see on your map. Tap the five map details options to toggle the details on and off on the map. Your options are:
- Transit: This option displays public transit bus stops and train pick-ups on the map when you are zoomed in.
- Traffic: This displays lines that represent traffic conditions on the map. Green lines indicate light or normal traffic conditions. Orange lines indicate moderate traffic congestion, and red lines indicate heavy traffic congestion. Zoom in to view more details on all streets.
- Bicycling: This displays bicycle routes on the map.
- 3D: This displays 3D representations of buildings when you zoom in on the map.
- Street View: This displays blue lines that indicate where street view is available on the map.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Using Street View

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Google Maps is available on both computers and mobile devices. To access Google Maps on a computer, visit https://www.google.com/maps google.com/maps in a web browser. On mobile phones and tablets, tap the Google Maps icon on your home screen or Apps menu. It has an icon with a red, green, blue, and yellow map marker.
2
Tap the map icon. It's the icon that resembles two squares overlapping. It's to the right below the search bar.
- If you are viewing Google Maps in a desktop web browser, click the button at the bottom of the screen that toggles between the default map and satellite maps.
It has an icon with a person in the middle. This displays blue lines on streets where Street View is available
4
Zoom in as close as possible. Use the following steps to zoom in on an area.
- Smartphone and Tablet: Place your thumb and index finger on the screen and spread them apart.
- Desktop web browser: Zoom in using the mouse wheel, or by pressing the (+) and (-) keys.
5
Double-tap the blue line to enter Street View mode. When you are zoomed in as far as you can go, tap a blue line to enter street view:
- On a desktop web browser, simply keep zooming in to enter Street View mode.
To rotate your view in Street View mode, you can tap and drag the screen on smartphone and tablets, or click and drag anywhere to rotate your view in a desktop web browser.
7
Navigate in Street View. Use the following options to navigate in Street View:
- Smartphone and Tablet: Tap and drag along the blue line to move forward and backward, or double-tap a spot on the blue line.
- Desktop web browser: Place the mouse cursor on the street and click when the icon displays an arrow. You can also press the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to move forward and backward.
Click or tap
to exit Street View. When you want to leave Street View and return to the normal map view, click or tap the arrow icon in the upper-left corner of the Street View image.

Community Q&A

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How do I select an alternative route?

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Google Maps should generate three different routes for you. By default, after you ask for directions, it should select the shortest of the three routes. This route will be highlighted by a thick blue line. The other routes will be highlighted in thick gray lines. Keep in mind that sometimes the routes overlap, and the blue line might cover up one or more gray lines. To switch to another of the routes, just click on the gray line.

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How do I use a GPS?

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First, plug your GPS to your computer to install the latest GPS software. Then, go to your car, and plug your GPS into one of your car outlets. Enter your starting destination and your end destination. Attach the sticky grip to your windshield, and you are ready to drive off.

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How do I connect Bluetooth from my mobile device to my car?

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While in your car, scan your mobile device for Bluetooth devices. Your car should come up. It may have a name like "Tesla" or a computer generated name that is a bunch of letters and numbers. Select the name, and the Bluetooth will connect.

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Have a question or problem that isn't addressed in this article? Visit the official Google Maps support page for more information and answers to virtually any question you could have.^{[1]
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Looking for satellite imagery, 3D maps, and a more "natural" virtual representation of the world? Try Google Earth, which is similar to Google Maps but with a less practical, more "exploratory" focus.^{[2]
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