Navigating unfamiliar territories can be daunting, but with Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad, you have a powerful tool at your fingertips. However, sometimes the initial route suggested by Google Maps isn’t the most ideal. Perhaps you need to avoid a specific road, want to explore a scenic bypass, or need to make a quick stop along the way. Thankfully, Google Maps offers multiple ways to customize your route, and in this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into each method, providing you with detailed steps and instructions to ensure you’re always in control of your journey.
**Understanding Why You Might Need to Change Your Route**
Before we jump into the “how,” let’s quickly explore some common scenarios where you might want to adjust your Google Maps route:
* **Traffic Congestion:** Google Maps is usually pretty good at avoiding traffic, but conditions can change rapidly. If you see red lines indicating heavy congestion ahead, you might want to reroute to a less congested path.
* **Road Closures:** Unexpected road closures due to construction or accidents can throw a wrench in your plans. Manually adjusting your route can help you navigate around these obstacles.
* **Personal Preferences:** Perhaps you prefer a more scenic route, even if it takes slightly longer. Or, maybe you want to avoid toll roads. Customizing your route allows you to tailor your journey to your preferences.
* **Making Stops:** You might need to grab coffee, pick up a friend, or make a quick grocery run. Adding these stops directly to your route will ensure you don’t miss them and will be incorporated into your estimated time of arrival.
* **Avoiding Specific Areas:** You might want to avoid certain areas due to personal reasons. Rerouting helps you steer clear of places you’d rather not pass through.
**Method 1: Using Drag and Drop (For Minor Adjustments)**
This method is perfect for making minor changes to your existing route. It’s intuitive and allows you to visually shape your path.
**Step 1: Start Navigation:**
* Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
* Enter your destination in the search bar.
* Tap on the directions button (the blue arrow in a circle). This will show you the suggested route.
* Select your preferred method of transportation (car, walking, public transport, or bicycle) from the icons at the bottom of the screen.
* Tap the “Start” button to begin navigation.
**Step 2: Drag the Route Line:**
* Once navigation is active, you’ll see a blue line representing your route on the map.
* To alter the route, place your finger on the blue line. You’ll notice the line become thicker and a small circle will appear indicating the spot you’ve touched.
* Drag your finger along the map. The route line will change, and Google Maps will recalculate the path in real-time.
* Continue dragging until you’ve moved the route to your desired path. A small grey line will show you the previous route, and the new one you are creating with the blue line.
* Lift your finger when the route is as desired. Google Maps will recalculate the time and distance and the new route will be finalized and updated.
**Step 3: Fine-Tune (Optional):**
* If you aren’t fully satisfied, you can repeat step two and continue adjusting the path as needed. Be careful to stay within reasonable routes when pulling and try to not go in too zig-zaggy route. Keep in mind the more you pull the more complicated it will get to calculate.
**Key Points about Drag and Drop:**
* **Real-Time Adjustments:** Changes you make are reflected immediately on the map, allowing you to see the impact of your edits.
* **Limited Flexibility:** While drag and drop is great for minor tweaks, it may not be ideal for making large deviations from the initial route. For that, you’ll need to use the methods described below.
* **Not Available on Public Transport Routes:** This method mainly works for driving, cycling, or walking and may not be available for public transport routes.
**Method 2: Adding Stops (For Planned Detours)**
Adding stops is a perfect way to include specific locations into your journey, making sure you don’t miss them.
**Step 1: Initiate Navigation as before**
* As described in method 1, set the destination you need and begin navigation by tapping “Start” after tapping directions and selecting transportation mode.
**Step 2: Access the Options Menu**
* During navigation, you’ll see the options menu at the bottom of the screen which can be pulled up by swiping up or tapping the three dots “more” button.
**Step 3: Add a Stop**
* From the menu, you will see the “Add a Stop” option. Tap on it to proceed.
* You will be taken to the Search Screen. Enter the location you wish to make a stop at. You can use the search bar to type in an address or name, or select one from the suggestions provided by Google Maps.
* Once the stop is selected, Google Maps will automatically add it to your route, placing it in the most convenient order given your current position and the final destination.
* If this is the first stop, the location will be placed between your starting point and destination. If this is not the first stop, it will be appended in the best order. You can always reorder them (described below).
**Step 4: Reorder Stops (Optional):**
* You can reorder stops by clicking the three dots more options button again and choosing “Reorder Stops”
* A draggable menu will appear with all the stops you have selected. By holding the three bars next to each stop, you can move them up and down in the list.
* Once you finish reordering, click the “Done” button.
**Step 5: Continue Navigation:**
* Google Maps will update the route automatically to include the added stops. You will be navigated to each one in turn and finally to your final destination.
**Key Points about Adding Stops:**
* **Convenient for Planned Detours:** Adding stops ensures that you don’t miss essential locations along your route.
* **Automatic Optimization:** Google Maps will optimize the order of your stops for efficiency, but you have the flexibility to reorder them as desired.
* **Multiple Stops:** You can add several stops to a single route.
**Method 3: Choosing Alternate Routes (For Major Rerouting)**
Sometimes, the initial route suggested by Google Maps is not what you had in mind at all. Luckily there’s a feature to view alternative routes before you start navigation and choose your best option.
**Step 1: Enter Destination and View Directions:**
* As described in the previous two methods, start by entering your destination in the search bar and tapping directions. Select your mode of transportation.
**Step 2: View Alternative Routes:**
* Before you start navigation, below the initial suggested route, you will see a “Alternatives” header, where Google Maps offers additional route options represented as grey lines.
* You can tap on each alternate route to highlight it in blue, display its distance, time and see a visual representation on the map.
**Step 3: Select Your Preferred Route:**
* After comparing the routes, simply tap on your desired one. This route will then become the highlighted blue line.
* Once selected, you can start navigation as described before.
**Key Points About Alternative Routes:**
* **Ideal for Choosing Different Paths:** This feature is fantastic for making significant changes from the initial suggested route, especially when you wish to explore different roads or avoid specific areas.
* **Time and Distance Estimates:** You get a complete view of the estimated time and distance for each route before making a final decision.
**Method 4: Using the Avoid Feature**
Google Maps also lets you choose specific areas to avoid, ensuring your route is free of places you want to steer clear of. This is done when selecting a route before starting navigation.
**Step 1: Get Directions**
* As described in the previous methods, begin with entering the destination and clicking the “Directions” button, and select mode of transportation.
**Step 2: Select Route Options**
* Before starting navigation, select the three dots “more” button on the top right, beside the search bar. Select “Route Options”.
**Step 3: Choose Avoid Feature:**
* Within Route Options you will find 3 toggles to select. Avoid tolls, Avoid highways and Avoid Ferries.
* Toggle on the routes you want to avoid. A blue toggle indicates it is turned on and Google Maps will automatically recalculate routes that fit your criteria.
**Key Points About Avoid Feature:**
* **Ideal for Avoiding Tolls and Highways:** If you have a preference to not take toll roads or highways, this feature is a life-saver, ensuring you take your desired path.
* **Easy Setup** The steps are straightforward and ensure you can set the feature on the route with ease.
**Tips for Optimizing Your Rerouting Experience**
* **Keep Your App Updated:** Make sure you have the latest version of Google Maps installed to benefit from all the latest features and bug fixes.
* **Use High-Quality Maps:** Ensure you’re using high-quality offline maps if you travel to remote areas with weak signal, to ensure your routes are as accurate as possible. These can be downloaded within the Google Maps app when connected to the internet.
* **Adjust in Advance:** If you know you’ll need to adjust your route, try to do it before you start navigating. This can help you avoid distractions while you are on the road.
* **Don’t Overcomplicate:** Try to keep route adjustments logical, avoid zigzag patterns on the map and always be mindful of the road ahead. Keep your eyes on the road and pull over safely if you need to adjust further.
* **Use Voice Commands:** When safe, use Siri or Google Assistant to add or change your stops. For example say “Hey Siri, navigate to the nearest gas station”.
* **Be Mindful of Safety:** Never attempt to adjust your route while driving if it distracts you. Focus on the road and pull over safely if you need to make any significant changes.
**Conclusion**
Google Maps is a powerful navigation tool, but its real strength lies in its adaptability. Knowing how to change your route on your iPhone or iPad empowers you to take control of your journey, avoiding traffic jams, exploring new roads, adding quick stops, and creating your own preferred path. By using the methods described in this comprehensive guide – drag and drop, adding stops, choosing alternate routes, and using the avoid feature – you’ll navigate with confidence and get where you need to go, just the way you want to. Remember to be safe, plan your routes in advance, and enjoy the journey! Now go forth and master the map!