The fastest way to change your route

Open Google Maps and start navigation to your destination. Once the route appears on your screen, tap or click anywhere on the blue line of the route itself — not on the street name, but directly on the path Google has drawn. A menu will appear with alternative routes ranked by time. Tap the one you want, and Google Maps will switch to it when ready.

If you do not see alternative routes appear, it means Google Maps found only one reasonable option for your trip. This happens on highways with few exits or in areas where one path is clearly faster than all others.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap directly on the blue route line during navigation to see alternative routes Google Maps has calculated.
  • Google Maps shows you how much time each alternative will add or save compared to the fastest option.
  • You can avoid specific roads, highways, or tolls by opening settings before you start navigation.
  • If you need to add a stop along the way, search for the place, then choose "Add a stop" instead of starting a new route.

Why Google Maps shows you the routes it does

Google Maps ranks alternative routes by travel time, not by distance or scenery. The fastest route appears first and is highlighted in blue. Slower alternatives appear below it with the time difference clearly marked — for example, "15 min slower" or "22 min slower." This ranking changes in real time as traffic conditions shift, so a route that was slower an hour ago might now be faster.

Google Maps does not show every possible route. It filters out routes that are significantly longer or slower than the best option, because showing dozens of choices makes the map harder to read. If you want to take a specific road that is not suggested, you can still do it — just tap on that road during navigation and Google Maps will reroute through it.

Avoiding highways, tolls, or specific road types before you navigate

If you know you want to avoid certain types of roads, set this up before you start navigation. On your phone, open Google Maps and tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner, then tap Settings. Scroll down to Navigation settings and toggle on the roads you want to avoid: Highways, Tolls, or Ferries. On a computer, click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, then Settings, then Navigation settings, and check the same boxes.

Once you turn these on, Google Maps will exclude those road types from all your routes unless no other option exists. If you are avoiding tolls and the only route to your destination uses a toll road, Google Maps will still show it to you but will note that it contains tolls. You can then choose whether to take it or find a different destination.

Adding a stop along your route

If you are already navigating and realize you need to stop somewhere, do not end navigation and start over. Instead, tap the destination name at the top of your screen. A menu will open showing your current route. Tap Add a stop and search for the place you want to visit. Google Maps will insert it into your route and recalculate the total time.

You can add multiple stops this way. Each one appears in order on your screen, and you can tap and drag them to reorder them if needed. When you reach a stop, Google Maps will automatically begin navigation to the next one.

Changing your destination mid-trip

If you want to go somewhere completely different instead of your original destination, tap the destination name at the top of your screen and then tap the X next to it. This ends navigation. Then search for your new destination and start navigation again. Google Maps will calculate a fresh route from your current location.

Alternatively, you can search for a new place while navigating, tap it on the map, and choose Directions. Google Maps will ask whether you want to replace your current destination or add it as a stop. Choose whichever fits what you need.

When Google Maps cannot find a route

Occasionally Google Maps will not show a route to your destination. This usually means the destination is in a remote area with no mapped roads, or it is a location Google Maps does not recognize — a private driveway, a building under construction, or a place that has not been added to the map yet. Try searching for a nearby street address or landmark instead, then navigate to that point and walk the rest of the way.

If the destination is a business or building, make sure you are searching for the exact name. Searching for "coffee shop" will not work; searching for "Starbucks on Main Street" will. If a place has recently opened, it may not yet appear in Google Maps, and you may need to use the street address instead.

Using offline maps when you cannot change routes

If you are in an area with no cell signal, Google Maps cannot recalculate routes or show you alternatives. Before you travel to a remote area, read an offline map. On your phone, open Google Maps, tap your profile picture, then Offline maps, then Select your own map. Drag the map to the area you want to read and tap read. The offline map will let you navigate and see your location, but you cannot change routes or see traffic in real time.

Offline maps are stored on your phone and do not use data. They work even if your phone is in airplane mode. However, they are updated only when you read them, so if roads have changed recently, the offline map may be out of date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see all possible routes, not just the top three?

Google Maps shows only the routes it considers reasonable — usually the three fastest options. You cannot see every possible route. If you want to take a specific road that is not highlighted, tap on that road during navigation and Google Maps will reroute through it.

Why does Google Maps keep changing my route while I am driving?

Google Maps updates your route in real time based on current traffic. If traffic gets worse on your current route and better on an alternative, Google Maps will suggest the switch. You do not have to accept it — just ignore the notification and keep going. The suggestion will disappear after a few seconds.

Does avoiding tolls mean I will never see a toll road?

Avoiding tolls means Google Maps will not suggest toll roads unless they are the only option to reach your destination. If you have tolls turned on in your settings and the fastest route uses a toll, Google Maps will show it to you and let you decide whether to take it.

Can I save a custom route I use often?

Google Maps does not save custom routes, but you can save your home and work addresses in your profile. Tap your profile picture, then Settings, then Home or Work, and enter the address. Then you can quickly navigate to either one by tapping it from the home screen.

What if my phone's GPS is wrong and Google Maps is routing me the wrong way?

GPS can be inaccurate in cities with tall buildings or in tunnels. If Google Maps is routing you incorrectly, tap the compass icon in the top right corner of the map to recalibrate your phone's location. Move your phone in a figure-eight motion for a few seconds. If the problem continues, your phone's GPS may need recalibration — restart your phone and try again.