How to set your own routes in Google Maps

How to set your own routes in Google Maps.

Spontaneous road trips can be fun, but sometimes you want to be more strategic and have itineraries ready in advance. Having your custom itineraries already mapped out for you in Google Maps is convenient: it takes the stress of missing a big turn and gives you the opportunity to share your travel plans with others.

You don’t need to use a car GPS navigator or any additional software. Google Maps lets you add different points, shapes, and directions to your routes. Here’s how to create your own routes on Google Maps.

How to Create Custom Routes in Google Maps

While Google Maps allows you to create your own route, it has several limitations. For example, you can’t start from scratch, which means you’ll have to use the default landscape orientation. You can then customize it by adding other elements, including new locations, routes, and shapes. You will also have to use Google Maps on your desktop to create maps. To create your first custom map, follow these steps.

Open the Google Maps website in a browser on your desktop and sign in to your Google account.

Open the menu in the upper left corner of the screen.

Select your seats from the drop-down menu.

Under Your Places, select Maps> Create Map.

A new Google Maps window will open with your personalized map.

Select “Untitled Map” in the upper left corner of the screen to change the name and description of the new map. Select Save to confirm.

How to Customize Your Google Map

After you choose a title for your new map, you can start customizing it by adding your own routes and elements to it, including layers, markers, shapes, and directions. To start customizing your map, make sure you are in the Map Editor window with a new map open.

Map layers

Your personalized map is layered. The bottom layer is the Basemap. You can always customize the look of your map by changing the basemap layer.

To select a different map view, select Basemap at the bottom of the menu. Then select the desired view: map, satellite or terrain.

When you create a new custom map, an unnamed layer is added to it by default. You can create an entire map using just one layer, or add additional layers as needed. The multi-layered map allows you to separate different routes and destinations for later access. This way, you can schedule multiple road trips or walking routes on the same custom map.

To add a new layer to your map, select “Add Layer” at the top of the menu.

You can remove layers from your map at any time. To remove a layer, select the three vertical dots next to it to open a menu. Then select Delete This Layer. It is also possible to rename this layer and show step-by-step instructions in the same menu.

Markers

A map marker is a pin that appears on your map and marks a specific location or landmark. Markers are useful when you need to share the exact location of a place with other users, or when you need to add comments or additional notes to a location.

To add a marker to your map, find the address or landmark you want to pin. Then select Add Marker from the toolbar below the search bar. In the pop-up window, enter a description of your map marker: name and description. It is also possible to add an image or video to the marker to make it more visible on the map. When you’re done, click Save to confirm.

You can always go back and edit the marker after you add it to the map. You can change its name, description, style, and show routes on your map.

Lines and shapes

Another element you can add to your map is a line or shape. If you need to highlight a particular route or area on the map, you can make it more visible by drawing a line or shape around it.

To add a line or shape to a custom map, choose Draw Line from the toolbar below the search bar.

Then you can edit this shape after placing it on the map. You can change its name, description, style, add an image or video to it. It is also possible to remove it from the map.

Route

For many users, the main purpose of creating a custom map is to share it with other users on Google Maps. You can add routes from point A to point B to display them as a separate layer on your custom map.

To add routes to your map, select Add Routes from the toolbar below the search bar.

You will see a new route layer in the menu on the left side of the screen. First, choose a method of transportation: by car, by bike or on foot. Then add a starting point in text box A and a destination in text box B. This will display your routes on the map.

How to Share Your Custom Map

When you finish creating custom routes in Google Maps and add items to the map, they will automatically be saved to your Google Maps account under Your Places. To access your new map, go to Google Maps> Your Places> Maps.

By default, you are the only one who can view this map until you share it with other people. To share your map, from the Your Places menu, select View All Your Maps. You will be taken to the Google My Maps site. You will see your map in the Own section.

To share your card with another person, select Share Card. You will see options where you can share your map via Facebook, Twitter, email, and embed it on your website. Choose your preferred method to share your map with others.

Save Your Custom Routes in Google Maps for Later Use

You can keep all your routes, directions and markers on the map in one place thanks to the custom maps feature in Google Maps. The next time you decide to go on a trip with friends or take a walk in the city, you can open the map and follow the path that you have explored in advance.

If you later want to see the places you have visited and plot a new route around them, you can view them in your location history on Google Maps.

Do you save your routes and locations to Google Maps? Which Google Maps feature do you find most useful for creating your own maps? Share your experience with creating custom routes on Google Maps in the comments section below.

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