Changing your route on Google Maps while driving or walking is straightforward and saves time, fuel, and frustration. This guide walks you through the steps, tips, and settings you need to redirect your journey on the go.
Whether you want to avoid traffic, find a faster path, or reach an alternate destination, Google Maps lets you adjust routes in seconds with just a few taps.
| Feature | Description | When to Use | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route Options | Alternate routes with different time, distance, and traffic profiles | When the fastest route is congested or closed | Compare multiple routes quickly |
| Avoid | Exclude tolls, highways, or ferries from routing | To save costs or prefer scenic roads | Combine avoids for tailored results |
| Live Traffic | Color-coded congestion shown on the map in real time | During rush hour or unexpected delays | Enable for automatic rerouting |
| Navigation Settings | Customize voice guidance, units, and route preferences | Before starting navigation for efficiency | Review settings once per trip type |
How to Change Routes While Navigation Is Active
When you are already navigating, Google Maps offers quick reroute options without restarting the trip. You can choose a suggested alternate route or create a custom path by avoiding certain roads.
Accessing Route Alternatives During Navigation
Tap the Directions button or the active route card at the bottom of the screen to see step-by-step instructions and other route choices. Swipe up on the route card to reveal details like distance, duration, and arrival time for each option.
Switching to a Different Route on the Map
On the map view, select the route card and choose an alternate route to start navigation immediately. You can also long-press on the map to set a destination and then pick a preferred path from the suggestions.
Route Preferences and Avoid Options
Before you begin navigation, adjust your Route Preferences to prioritize speed, fewer turns, or fuel efficiency. These settings shape the order in which Google Maps presents alternative routes.
Using the Avoid Feature to Change Your Route
In Directions, open the More options menu and use Avoid to skip tolls, highways, or ferries. Each selected avoid option reshapes the route, often revealing a slower but more suitable path for your needs.
Combining Preferences for Better Routes
Combine avoid options with route preferences to fine-tune results. For example, avoiding highways while preferring faster roads can produce a balanced route for city-to-city travel.
Changing Routes Mid-Journey with Live Traffic
Live Traffic uses anonymized location data from phones to detect congestion and incidents. When traffic slows on your current route, Google Maps suggests alternatives that can save minutes on your trip.
Responding to Live Reroute Suggestions
Accept a suggested reroute to shift to a faster road without manually searching for alternatives. You can also decline and review other options to find the best fit for your driving style and schedule.
Optimizing Your Navigation Experience
Using route options, avoid settings, and navigation preferences consistently helps you make smarter travel decisions every time you open Google Maps.
- Review route preferences before starting navigation to match your travel goals
- Enable live traffic to receive timely reroute suggestions
- Compare at least two alternate routes based on time, distance, and road type
- Use avoid options to exclude tolls, highways, or ferries that do not suit your trip
- Check arrival time updates when switching routes during navigation
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I force Google Maps to find a different route during navigation?
While navigating, tap the route card at the bottom, then choose an alternate route from the list or tap Options and select Reroute now to refresh suggestions based on current conditions.
Can I avoid specific roads or areas when changing routes?
Yes, tap Directions, More options, and use Avoid to block tolls, highways, or ferries, which changes the routing to bypass those segments.
Will changing routes affect my estimated arrival time?
Yes, each alternative route updates the estimated duration and arrival time based on live traffic, distance, and the roads included in the new path. This can happen when traffic clears on your original route, making it faster again, or when avoid settings and preferences favor the default path over alternatives.