How can I draw my own route on Google Maps?

Chart Your Own Course: How to Draw Custom Routes on Google Maps

Tired of Google Maps suggesting the same old routes? Do you want to explore less-traveled roads or highlight specific areas on a map for a hike, bike ride, or road trip? You can break free from Google’s pre-defined paths and create your own custom routes directly on Google Maps. It’s a fantastic way to personalize your journeys and visualize exactly where you’re going.

While Google Maps doesn’t offer a direct “draw a freehand route” tool within the standard app, you can achieve this powerful functionality using Google’s “My Maps” platform. This is a less-known but incredibly useful feature within Google Maps, allowing you to create and save customized maps for various purposes.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to craft your personalized routes using My Maps:

1. Access My Maps and Create a New Map:

• First, you need to access My Maps. You can do this by logging into your Google account and going to Google Drive. Click the “New” button, hover over “More,” and you should see “Google My Maps.” If you can’t find it there, try searching “Google My Maps” directly in your browser.
• Once in My Maps, click the red “+ Create a new map” button. This will open a blank canvas where you can begin designing your route.

2. Start Adding Directions and Locations:

• On the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see the “Add directions” tool (it looks like a small arrow pointing right). Click this tool.
• Enter your starting point (A) and your destination (B) in the designated fields. My Maps will automatically calculate a route based on your chosen mode of transport (driving, walking, cycling).
• You can add multiple destinations by clicking “Add destination” below the destination field. This allows you to create a multi-stop journey.

3. Refine and Customize Your Route:

• This is where the real magic happens. To deviate from Google’s suggested route and draw your own path, you’ll need to strategically add “intermediate destinations” along the way.
• Click on the map at a point along your desired route that deviates from the initial suggestion. A small destination marker (usually C, D, E, etc.) will appear.
• Drag and drop these intermediate destination markers to precisely shape your route. The route line will automatically adjust as you move the markers.
• Repeat this process, adding and dragging destination markers as needed, until the route perfectly follows your preferred path.

4. Adding Lines and Shapes for Emphasis:

• Beyond just creating a driving or walking route, you can further customize your map with lines and shapes. Look for the “Draw a line” tool (it looks like a line with points on either end).
• Click on the map to start drawing a line. Click again to create vertices and change the direction of the line. Double-click to end the line.
• You can draw lines to highlight specific areas, mark scenic viewpoints, or indicate areas of interest along your route.
• This tool can also be used to draw polygons or shapes around areas you want to emphasize.

5. Saving and Sharing Your Custom Route:

• Once you’re satisfied with your route, give your map a descriptive name. This will help you easily find it later.
• Click the “Share” button to make your map public or share it with specific individuals via email or a shareable link. You can choose whether viewers can only view the map or edit it as well.

Tips and Tricks for Enhanced Customization:

• Color Coding: Use different colors for different sections of your route to visually differentiate them. For example, you could use green for sections suitable for cycling and red for sections better suited for driving.
• Adding Descriptions: Add detailed descriptions to each destination or point of interest along your route. This can include historical information, practical tips, or simply your personal recommendations.
• Importing KML/KMZ Files: If you have existing route data in KML or KMZ format (commonly used for GPS data), you can import it directly into My Maps. This allows you to leverage data from other mapping applications or GPS devices.

Creating custom routes on Google Maps using My Maps empowers you to take control of your journey planning. Whether you’re planning a challenging hike, a scenic bike ride, or a memorable road trip, My Maps provides the tools you need to visualize, customize, and share your perfect adventure. So, ditch the default routes and start charting your own course today!