How to Make a Custom Route on Google Maps?

The Google My Maps tool lets you build custom routes when you want to preplan your trip and have offline access whilst traveling. If you want to know how to create a custom route on Google Maps, we’ve detailed the steps in this article.

Our steps include the various map customization options; plus, how to save and share your route. Since some of the Google My Maps features are not currently available via iOS devices; we’ll be covering essentially Windows, macOS, and Android.

How to Make a Custom Route on Google Maps?

To create a custom route on Google Maps using Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to Google Maps and sign in to your Google account.
   
2. From the top-left corner, click on the hamburger menu.
   
3. Select “Your places” from the pull-down menu.
   
4. Click on “Maps” then “Create Map.”
   
   • Your custom map will open in a new Google Maps window.
5. Towards the top-left, click on “Untitled Map” to enter the map’s name and description.
   
6. Hit “Save” to confirm.
   

To choose a different look for your map:

1. From the bottom of the menu, select “Base map.”
   
2. Then select either Map, Satellite, or Terrain.
   

To add point A to B directions as a separate layer on your custom map:

1. From the toolbar under the search bar, select “Add directions.”
   
   • A new directions layer will display in the menu on the left of your screen.
2. Select your transportation mode e.g. driving, cycling, or walking.
   
3. Then enter your departure point in the text box “A.”
   
4. Then enter your destination point in the text box “B.”
   
   • The directions will appear on your map.
     

How to Make a Custom Route on Google Maps on a Mobile Device?

This feature is not currently available for Android and iOS devices.

Adding Markers to Your Google Map

To add Markers to your Google Map using your Android device:

1. Launch My Maps.
   
2. Open your map, then click on the plus sign at the bottom-right of the screen to include a new point, then “Add a new point.”
   
3. Move the map until the “X” is at the place you want it.
   
4. Click on “Select this location.”
   
5. Give your place a name, then decide on a layer.
   
6. Then hit “Done.”
   

To add Markers to your Google Map using Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps.
   
2. Open your map, then select “Add marker.”
   
3. Click on a layer, then click on the point to position the place.
   
4. Give the place a name.
   
5. Hit “Save.”
   

Adding Lines and Shapes to Your Google Maps

To add a line to your Google Maps via your Android device:

1. Launch My Maps.
   
2. Open your map; to add a line, click on the plus sign at the bottom-right then “Add a new line.”
   
3. Drag the map until the “X” is at the place you want, then tap the plus sign again.
   
4. Replicate until you have drawn your line, then hit “Done.”
   
5. Hit the “Backspace” icon if you need to go back a step.
6. Name your line, then decide on a layer.
   
7. Then hit “Done.”
   

To add a shape or line to your Google Maps via Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps.
   
2. Open your map, then tap on the “Draw a line” option > “Add line or shape.”
   
3. Pick a layer and click on where you want to start drawing.
   
4. Click on the corners or bend your shape or line. Press and hold the mouse to move the map.
   
5. Double-click once you’ve finished your drawing.
   
6. Give your shape or line a name.
   
7. Once you’re done, hit “Save.”
   

How to Save Custom Routes for Offline Use?

This feature is not currently available on Android and iOS devices. To save a custom route for offline access using Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps.
   
2. Open your map.
   
3. Select the “Add directions” icon.
   
4. Enter your start and end points in the box on the left.
   

How to Share Your Custom Google Map?

To share your Google Map on social media or a website using your Android:

1. Launch My Maps.
   
2. Locate the map you wish to share, then click on the “Info” icon.
   
3. Click on the “Share” icon.
   
4. Now choose how you wish to share your map.
   

To share your custom Google Map on social media or a website using Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps.
   
2. Locate the map you wish to share.
   
3. On the right, at the top of the thumbnail click on the “Share” icon.
   
4. Then choose how you wish to share your map.
   
5. Follow the instructions.

Additional FAQs

How Do I Add Photographs to My Custom Google Map?

To add a pic to your Google Map, from Google Photos or your Gallery using an Android device:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.

2. Enter a search for the place or select it on the map.

3. For more information, click on the place name or address at the bottom.

4. Scroll towards the right, then select “Photos.”

5. Click on “Add photo.”

6. Then decide what you want to do:

· Click on “Folder” to select a photo from your gallery.

· Select “Camera” then the shutter to take a new photo.

To add pics from “Contribute” to your Google Map using an Android device:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.

2. Click on the circled plus sign “Contribute” icon.

3. Beneath the “Contribute” tab, select “Add photo.”

· Click on the photo[s] you wish to post.

· To change a photo’s location, click on the place name then choose a different place.

4. Then hit “Post.”

To add pics from a place page to your Google Map using an Android device:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.

2. Enter a search for the place or select it on the map.

3. For more information, click on the place name or address at the bottom.

4. Click on “Add photo.”

5. Then decided what you want to do:

· Click on “Folder” to select a photo from your gallery.

· Select “Camera” then the shutter to take a new photo.

To add a pic to your Google Map from Google Photos or your Gallery via an iOS device:

1. Launch your Gallery app or Google Photos.

2. Click on a photo.

3. Select “Share.”

4. Click on “Post to Google Maps.”

5. If you don’t have that option, select the three-dotted “More” menu.

6. Select “Post to Google Maps” > “Done.”

7. Now decide where to post:

· Google Maps will choose a place for you when it’s clear where your photo is from.

· Otherwise, select “Pick a place” to search for an address or place.

8. Hit “Post.”

To add a pic to your Google Map from “Contribute” using an iOS device:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.

2. Click on the circled plus sign “Contribute” icon.

3. Select “Add photo.”

4. Click on the photo[s] you wish to post.

· To change a photo’s location, click on the place name then choose a different place.

5. Then hit “Post.”

To add a pic from a place page using an iOS device:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.

2. Enter a search for a place or click on it on the map.

3. For more information, click on the place name or address at the bottom.

4. Click on “Add photo.”

5. Then decided what you want to do:

· Click on “Folder” to select a photo from your gallery.

· Select “Camera” then the shutter to take a new photo.

To add a pic to your Google Map, from a place page using your Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps, then search for a place.

2. Once you’ve chosen a place, select “Add a photo.”

3. Drag the photo to the box displayed or select “Choose photos” to upload one.

Note: You cannot add photos for addresses or coordinates, but you can for places of interest including businesses or parks.

To add a pic to your Google Map from “Your contributions” via Windows or macOS:

1. Ensure that your “Location History” is enabled.

2. Launch Google Maps.

3. Click on the hamburger menu, at the top-left then “Your contributions.”

4. Select “Add your photos to Maps” beneath the “Contribute” tab.

· That option won’t be available if Google can’t find a location for your photos, or if you haven’t taken any with your phone.

· To post a photo, select the photos you want to post.

· To change a photo’s location, select the location name and choose a different place.

5. Click on “Post” at the top.

How Do I Measure Distance on Google Maps?

To measure distances and areas on Google Maps using Windows or macOS:

1. Navigate to and sign in to My Maps.

2. Open your map or create a map.

3. Click on the “Measure distances and areas” measuring tape icon.

4. Click on where you wish to start measuring from.

5. Click on the corner and bends of a line/shape.

6. Double-click once you’ve finished drawing.

· The distance will be highlighted in blue on the map.

· The area will also appear – if it’s a shape.

Pre-Planned Routes With Google Maps

Google Maps can be customized to suit your needs. Pre-planning your routes with Google My Maps supports familiarity with new routes; they can be shared with friends when traveling to the same place, while offline access provides reassurance and minimizes stress.

Now that we’ve shown you how to plan your journeys, customize, and save them, how useful have you found this feature – do you frequently use it for your trips? Did you use it offline – if so, did you arrive at your destination? Let us know about your experiences with Google Maps in the comments section below.

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