How to Change the Route on Google Maps on Android

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to select an alternate route when looking up directions in Google Maps on your Android.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-1.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the map icon typically found on the home screen or in the app drawer.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-2.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s in the blue circle near the bottom-right corner of the map.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-3.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the first box at the top of the screen.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-4.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter an address or landmark, then tap it in the search results. You can also tap one of the suggestions, tap Your location to input your current location, or Choose on map to tap a map point.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-5.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s the second box at the top of the screen.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-6.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enter an address or landmark, then tap it in the search results. You can also select a suggested location or tap Choose on map to select a map point. Once selected, a map will appear, displaying the shortest available route in blue, and other routes in gray.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-7.jpg\/aid9644639-v4-728px-Change-the-Route-on-Google-Maps-on-Android-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This switches the route, changing the gray line to a blue one to indicate that its selected.
    • There may be multiple alternate routes depending on your location.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I choose a route separate from the route options provided?
    Community Answer
    Currently, this is not something Google Maps is capable of supporting! If you wish to use a specific route not given, there are a few things you can do: either add a stop along that route or begin driving/walking along that route (Maps will automatically adjust accordingly).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I change the route, if I don't like the given ones?
    Community Answer
    If you have a specific route in mind, you can add a stop along that route to your trip. Google Maps should then reroute you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Is there a way to choose a route of your own choosing as clicking and dragging one the desktop?
    Kristofer
    Community Answer
    Here is a step by step directions on how to use the Google Maps application on iPhone and Android: Open the App. Select your starting destination (enable location services for Google to select your location automatically). Select your ending destination. Select Go. This should recalculate your new route on Google Maps on iPhone and Android.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 32 Helpful 0
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      When Will a Google Street View Car Come to Your Area?
      Go Back in Time on Google Maps: See Historical Location Pictures
      How to
      Find North on Google Maps on PC or Mac
      How to
      Get Current Location on Google Maps
      Find Latitude and Longitude in Google Maps: Mobile & Desktop
      How to Type GPS Coordinates into Google Maps: Desktop & Mobile
      How to Track Someone’s Location in Google Maps
      How to Download a Photo from Google Maps
      How to
      Change the Date on Google Maps
      2 Ways to Change the Voice on Google Maps
      How to
      Add Multiple Destinations on Google Maps
      2 Easy Ways to Add a Location or Business to Google Maps
      3 Easy Ways to Track Your Run with Google Maps
      How to Add Your Business to Google Maps
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Maps .
      2. Tap Go .
      3. Tap Your location .
      4. Select a starting point.
      5. Tap Choose destination .
      6. Select a destination.
      7. Tap the route in gray.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 81,734 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement