How can I plan a route on Google Maps?

Beyond Point A to Point B: Mastering Multi-Stop Route Planning on Google Maps (and its Limitations)

Google Maps. The ubiquitous navigator in our pockets. It effortlessly guides us from home to work, to the grocery store, or even on cross-country adventures. We take its efficiency for granted, relying on its turn-by-turn directions to get us where we need to be, fast. But what happens when our journey involves more than just a single destination? What if we have a string of errands to run, deliveries to make, or friends to visit in different corners of the city?

This is where the limitations of Google Maps’ inherent simplicity start to become apparent. While perfectly capable of guiding you sequentially from point A to B to C, it often falls short in optimizing the order of those stops for maximum efficiency. The native route planner operates under the assumption that you’ll visit destinations in the order you provide them, a feature that can lead to longer travel times and unnecessary backtracking if you’re not careful.

Think about it: if you input your destinations in a seemingly arbitrary order, Google Maps will dutifully lead you from the first stop to the second, and so on. However, that pre-determined sequence might not be the shortest or fastest route overall. You could be zig-zagging across town, wasting precious time and fuel, simply because the software is blindly following your instructions without considering the bigger picture of efficient route optimization.

Here’s how you can plan a multi-stop route on Google Maps (with a few caveats in mind):

1. Start with your first destination: Open Google Maps and enter your starting point and your first destination.
2. Add additional stops: After generating directions to your first stop, look for the three vertical dots (the “more options” menu) and tap it. Select “Add stop”.
3. Enter your subsequent destinations: A new field will appear allowing you to enter your next stop. Repeat this process until you’ve added all your desired destinations. Google Maps allows you to add up to 10 stops, including your starting point.
4. Drag and drop for reordering: Now, this is crucial! To manually attempt optimization, you can drag and drop the destinations within the list to change their order. Experiment with different arrangements to see if you can shave off travel time. This is where your own judgment and knowledge of the area will come into play.
5. Review and Start: Once you’re satisfied with the order of your stops, review the estimated travel time and route. Tap “Start” to begin your journey.

However, remember the limitations!

• No Automatic Optimization: Google Maps does not automatically optimize the route to find the most efficient order of stops. You are responsible for manually rearranging them.
• Limited to 10 Stops: This might be insufficient for more complex routes.
• Doesn’t Factor in Traffic: While Google Maps provides real-time traffic updates, it doesn’t proactively re-optimize your multi-stop route based on those changes. You’ll need to periodically check and adjust your route if significant traffic delays occur.
• Manual Reordering Can Be Cumbersome: With multiple stops, manually testing different combinations can become time-consuming and mentally exhausting.

Alternatives for True Optimization:

If you need to plan a route with more than 10 stops, or if you require true optimization based on factors like traffic, time windows, and delivery priorities, you might want to consider dedicated route optimization software. These tools use sophisticated algorithms to find the most efficient route, saving you significant time and resources. Some popular alternatives include:

• Circuit Route Planner: Designed for delivery drivers.
• RouteXL: Offers free and paid options.
• MyRouteOnline: Suitable for more complex delivery scenarios.

In Conclusion:

Google Maps is a fantastic tool for simple navigation, but its multi-stop route planning capabilities have limitations. Understanding these limitations is crucial for planning efficient journeys. By manually rearranging stops and staying vigilant about traffic conditions, you can maximize its usefulness. However, for more complex routes or situations requiring true optimization, exploring dedicated route planning software is highly recommended. So, plan smart, drive safe, and happy travels!