Get directions & show routes - Computer - Google Maps Help

Get directions & show routes

Report wrong directions

You can get directions for driving, public transit, walking, ride sharing, cycling, flight, or motorcycle on Google Maps. If there are multiple routes, the best route to your destination is blue. All other routes are gray. Some directions in Google Maps are in development and may have limited availability.

Important: Stay alert when you use directions on Google Maps. Always be aware of your surroundings to ensure the safety of yourself and others. When in doubt, follow actual traffic regulations and confirm signage from the road or path that you’re on.

  1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
  2. Click Directions Directions.
  3. Click points on the map, type an address, or add a place name.
  4. Choose your mode of transportation.
    • To get driving directions, click Driving Driving.
    • To get transit directions, click Transit Transit.
    • To get walking directions, click Walking Walking.
    • To get rideshare or taxi options, click Ride Ride services.
    • To get cycling directions, click Cycle Cycling.
    • To get flight options, click Flight Flight.
    • To get motorcycle directions, click Motorcycle Two-wheeler.

Tip: To choose another route in any transportation mode, select it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.

Add multiple destinations

You can get directions to multiple destinations for all modes of transportation except public transit or flight.

  1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
  2. Click Directions Directions.
  3. Add a starting point and a destination.
    • To edit your starting point, at the top, click Your location.
  4. Below the destinations you entered, click Add destination Add.
  5. To add a stop, choose another destination.
    • You can add up to 9 stops, which includes the final destination.
  6. To get directions, click on a route.

Tip: You can search for places along your route.

To change the order of your stops: 

  1. Find the destination you want to move. 
  2. Drag the destination.

Preview directions in Street View

Important: To get directions in Street View, click Directions Directions. Then, enter starting and ending destinations.

  1. On your computer, under the route you want, click Details.
  2. To get more detailed directions, click Expand Expand.
  3. Point to a step in the directions. If Street View is available, you get a preview photo.
  4. To get Street View for the step that you want, click the photo.
    • To get Street View for other steps in the route, in the bottom-left box, click Previous step or Next step.
    • To exit the preview, at the top right, click Close Close.

Customize your route

Avoid tolls & highways
  1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
  2. Click Directions Directions.
  3. Click points on the map, type an address, or add a place name.
  4. Choose Options.
  5. Check the box next to "Tolls" or "Highways."
Change the time that you leave or arrive
You can change your travel date or time to find the best route before you leave, based on estimated traffic and transit schedules. This only works for routes with one destination.
  1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
  2. Get directions.
  3. After you get your directions, click Leave now.
  4. To change your travel dates or times, select Depart at or Arrive by.
Understand how we rank transportation options

When you enter a destination in Google Maps, we show you how to get there using different travel modes, like driving, cycling, or walking. 

Sometimes, the transport options we show you are ranked according to a combination of objective factors designed to help you find relevant and useful information. These factors can include duration, distance, price, your mode preference, or the relevance of a mode to your query. Generally, the most important factors are your mode preference, trip durations, and sometimes price.

Where available, we also show you other mobility services like public transport, scooter or bicycle rentals, and vehicle ride services. These mobility services are provided by third parties who have made their transport data publicly available or who have a partner agreement with us. Any partnerships or business relationships we may have with any transportation service providers do not influence the ranking of these services.

Google Maps transportation modes

You can get directions for different modes of transportation in Google Maps. Learn about the differences in features and availability between each mode:

Driving: Driving

  • Driving Driving routes are designed for use by cars and may navigate to car-only roads. When riding motorized bicycles or motorcycles under 125cc, use the “Avoid tolls and highways” route option.
  • If you want to change a driving route, click and hold a spot on the route and drag it to a new spot on the map.

Transit: Transit

  • Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. Before you can get transit directions, your local transit agency needs to add their route info to Google Maps.

Walking: Walking

Ride: Ride services

  • If you want directions in an area with ride or taxi services, you can compare ride services with transit and walking directions. Learn how to request a ride.

Cycling: Cycling

  • When you ride your bicycle, you can use cycling Cycling routes if they’re available in your country/region.

Flight: Flight

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