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How to save a route on Google Maps
Google Maps can get you from point A to point B in many different ways. When you enter the address of a place you want directions to, Google automatically calculates the shortest route there. You can alter this route as you please, and Google can even recalculate your route on the fly. You can also save routes for convenience and access specific routes offline. Let’s go over how to save a route on Google Maps.
QUICK ANSWER
To save a route on Google Maps on Android or iOS, open Google Maps. While connected to the internet, enter your destination into the Search here field. At the bottom, tap Pin to pin that location to the Go tab in Google Maps. Alternatively, you can select the ⋮ button in the top right corner and, from the dropdown menu, select Add route to Home screen.
To save a route on Google Maps on your computer, you need to copy a link to that route. Do this by going to the website, entering your destination, and clicking the Share button. This will allow you to copy a link to share, which you can then email yourself or share on social media.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
How to save a route on Google Maps (Android and iOS)
Currently, saving a route on Google Maps entails pinning a recommended route or adding a route to your Home screen. It doesn’t automatically allow you to access your route or directions offline. To see your routes when disconnected from the internet, you must download an offline map that encompasses your starting location and destination location.
How to pin a route on Google Maps
Google Maps gives you the ability to “pin” routes. You cannot pin any custom route, as when you press Pin, the popup says Recommended route pinned. This, in turn, is reflected in offline use, as you cannot change the recommended route at all when you are using the app offline. You just get one set of directions.
To pin a route:
- Ensure your Android or iOS device is connected to the internet, then open the Google Maps mobile app.
- Enter your destination address in the Search here field.
- Select Directions and make sure your method of transportation is Driving. Pinning does not work for Transit, Walking, Rideshare, or Cycling.
- In the bottom bar, where it shows how long it will take to get to your destination, there are three buttons: Start, Steps, and Pin. Select Pin to pin this location to the Go tab in Google Maps.
Once pinned, these saved locations are available for quick access from the Go tab at the bottom of the Google Maps interface. Selecting these online will redirect you to those routes, from which you can choose to follow the recommended route or a different one. These alternate routes look greyed-out until pressed.
If using offline maps, then you only get the recommended route. None of the other greyed-out routes will appear when offline.
Add route to Home screen
If you need even quicker access to your most-frequented routes, you can set them up, so they appear on your Home screen. To do this:
- Ensure your Android or iOS device is connected to the internet, then open the Google Maps mobile app.
- Enter your destination address in the Search here field.
- Press the ⋮ button in the top right corner, and, from the dropdown menu, select Add route to Home screen.
- Long-press the icon in the middle, and then you can drag and place that icon anywhere on your device’s Home screen.
After adding this icon to your device’s Home screen, you can select that icon whenever you want. This will immediately open Google Maps into that specific route.
Send directions to your email inbox
Another way to save your route is to email your route’s directions to yourself. To send directions to your email inbox from the Google Maps mobile app:
- Ensure your Android or iOS device is connected to the internet, then open the Google Maps mobile app.
- Enter your destination address in the Search here field.
- Press the ⋮ button in the top right corner.
- From the following dropdown menu, select Share directions; this will open the Share popup. In the To field, you can type in your email address or select the ᐧᐧᐧ button for more options.
How to save a route on Google Maps (PC and Mac)
You have three options for saving routes on Google Maps from your computer. You can send the route to your phone, share it, or print it. When printing your route directions, you are given the option to include the map or include text only.
Save your route as a link
Unlike the mobile version, there is no option to send all text directions to your email. Instead, you get a link that you can save anywhere. When you open it, you will find your route.
To get this link:
- On your computer, open a browser. Go to the Google Maps website.
- In the Search Google Maps field in the top right, enter your desired destination.
- Click Directions.
- Choose your starting point. You can also use Your location as the starting point by allowing Google Maps to access your location.
- Choose your method of transportation: Driving, Transit, Walking, or Cycling.
- Click on your desired route from the options that appear.
- Click the Share button. This looks like three interconnected dots.
- In the following popup, there will be a Link to share. Click the COPY LINK button next to it.
- Paste the link wherever you would like to save it. You can email the link to yourself by going to your email, starting a new email, addressing it to yourself, and then pasting the link in the body of the email.
How to see routes and directions offline
Aside from emailing yourself your route, there are limited options for seeing your routes and directions offline. There is, however, at least one surefire way to see your routes and directions offline. That would be offline maps.
After pinning a route or adding it to your Home screen, you can download a map from Google Maps to see all pertinent locations offline. This will effectively allow you to search and get directions offline with the map you downloaded.
Downloading offline maps (Android and iOS only)
If you do not have your map downloaded as an offline map, you will not be able to access routes or directions when your device is not connected to the internet. When you go to your map or try to reach your pinned locations, it will say Maps can’t reach the internet. Please check your internet connection and try again.
Downloading a map that includes both your starting location and end destination ensures that, even if you are not connected to the internet, you will be able to follow the route as intended.
To download an offline map on Google Maps, open the Google Maps mobile app on your Android or iOS device. At the top, at the far right of the Search here bar, you will find your profile picture; press this.
In the popout menu, select Offline maps.
Tap SELECT YOUR OWN MAP.
Now you can choose the map you want to download. Pinch and zoom in so that both your starting and ending point are on the map. When finished, tap Download to download the map.
Afterward, the best way to access your routes when using offline maps is by pinning them or adding them to your Home screen.
FAQs
Yes. You can pin that route if you have downloaded an offline map that includes both your starting location and end destination. You can also search up locations on that offline map in Google Maps even if your device isn’t connected to the internet, and then get directions.
Routes that are pinned aren’t custom routes. The ones you find offline on your downloaded offline maps aren’t variable either. They are Google’s “recommended routes.”