Google Maps is our go-to tool for navigation, whether we are traveling to another town, state, or even country. It offers real-time traffic updates, air quality, and public transit, and is easy to use. However, if you are not aware of the interface or are new to using the platform, here’s our step-by-step guide to change or edit the route on Google Maps.
The navigation service highlights the quickest router for you in blue, and you can navigate through it. However, you can also modify your route and avoid toll roads, add stoppages, avoid ferries, etc. Moreover, you can do it from both the desktop version and the mobile app.
How to Change and Edit Route on Google Maps
Even though Google Maps automatically calculates the fastest route, it does not match your needs all the time. Whether you want to avoid tolls, highways, ferries, or add stoppages, you can easily do it.
Step 1: Open the Google Maps app or site, depending on which device you are accessing.
Step 2: Search for a location where you want to travel.
Step 3: Click on the Direction button, then enter the start location.
Google Maps will show the fastest route by default. You can modify it depending on your needs. Here’s what you can do:
Avoid Tolls, Highways, and Ferries
Google Maps provides users with an option to avoid tolls, highways, and even ferries. You just need to enable them, and it will show an alternate router with the selected avoid. To do this, follow the below steps:
On Desktop Version: Once the map shows the directions, click on the Options. Select the checkbox next to the option you want to avoid under the Avoid section.

On the Google Maps app: After it shows the directions, tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select Options. Turn on the toggle next to each option you want to avoid.
Add Multiple Stops
Google Maps also allows you to add multiple stops (up to 9) to the journey. So, if you want to explore or visit various locations along your route, just make a stop, and Google Maps will calculate the best router to include all the stops. Here’s how you can do it:
On Desktop Version: Click on the + Add destination below the destination search box and search for location. Add as many as you want and drag to reorder them.
On the Google Maps app: Tap on the three-dot icon at the top-right corner and select Add Stop. Search for the location and click to choose it. Finally, rearrange them by dragging.
Wrapping Up
So, this was all about how you can modify routes on Google Maps either from the mobile app or the desktop site. You can also choose an alternate route. For this, you just need to tap on the routes that are grayed.
If you have any questions related to the article, don’t forget to tell us in the comments below.
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