The Complete Guide to Using Google Maps Trip Planner in 2024 (6 Easy Steps)

The excitement of planning your road trip is undeniable, but let’s be real—organizing the details can feel overwhelming. 

You’ve got places to go, things to see, and a limited amount of time.

That’s where Google Maps Trip Planner comes in handy. 

It’s not just for getting from point A to B anymore. This powerful tool can help you:

• Plan an entire itinerary
• Complete with multiple stops
• Estimated travel times
• Even suggestions for places to eat or visit along the way

Why do so many people turn to Google Maps for trip planning, you ask? 

It’s simple and free, and chances are you’re already familiar with it. Plus, it syncs effortlessly with your smartphone, keeping your plans always within reach.

In this guide, we’ll show a step by step guide on how to make the most of Google Maps for your next trip, from plotting your route to uncovering hidden gems.

💡Want more than what Google Maps provides? Explore how Upper’s advanced route planning software can handle multiple stops and reduce your travel distance and time.

6 Steps to Plan Your Trip Using Google Maps

Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality? Let’s walk through how to use Google Maps to plan your perfect trip. Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy – we’ll take it step by step.

Step 1: Create Your Custom Map

First things first, let’s get you set up:

1. Log into your Google account. This lets Google Maps remember your plans.
2. Go to Google My Maps (just type “www.google.com/mymaps” in your browser).
3. On Google My Maps dashboard, see that big “Create a New Map” button? Click it!
4. Now, let’s give your map a name. Look for “Untitled Map” in the top left corner and click it.
5. A box will pop up. Type in your map’s name (like, in our case, we have used “3-Day Trip to Athens”) and a brief description if you want.

Already have some saved maps? 

No problem! Go to Google Maps, click “Saved” in the sidebar, find your map under the “Maps” tab, and click “Open in My Maps”.

Step 2: Add location pins

Next, start adding your destinations (location pins) to the Google map.

Use the map search bar at the top of the screen to find places you want to visit. As you type, you’ll see suggestions pop up. Pick the one you want.

Then, the map will zoom to that spot. Just click on the location pin that appears, and in the box that pops up, click “Add to map.”

Voila! It’s now part of your trip.

Want to organize by days? Here’s a pro tip:

1. Look for “Untitled Layer” on the left side of your screen.

2. Click it and rename it to “Day 1”.

3. Add more layers by clicking “Add Layer” and name them “Day 2”, “Day 3”, and so on.

4. Now you can add each stop to the right day!

💡 For a road trip with multiple cities, create a separate map layer for each city and add points of interest to each layer.

Step 3: Customize pins by changing icons (and colors)

After adding your locations, you can customize the pins to make your map clearer, more appealing, and easy to understand. 

Click the “paint can” icon on a pin to change its color and icon. 

For example, you might use blue for restaurants, red for monuments, and green for parks.

Click on ‘More Icons’ to explore additional icons or create custom ones to fit your needs. This helps differentiate types of locations and makes your map easier to read.

💡Use color-coded pins to easily identify categories of locations, like attractions, dining spots, or lodging.

Step 4: Review your customized route map

With your locations added and customized, review your Google map to ensure everything is in order.

• Take a good look at your custom map. Are all your stops there?
• Check that the pins are in the right layers and that your route makes sense. 
• Check if the order makes sense. You don’t want to zigzag across town!
• Need to move something? Just drag and drop pins to reorder them or move them between layers.
• Click ‘Preview’ to see how your trip itinerary looks on the map. This helps you visualize your trip and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 5: Share your map

Traveling with friends or family? Let’s get everyone on the same page:

1. Click the share button.
2. You’ve got options! Share via Facebook, Twitter, or email.
3. You can even embed it on a website if you’re blogging about your trip.

Sharing is useful for coordinating with travel companions or keeping everyone informed.

Step 6: Access driving directions on your phone

Let’s make sure you can access your Google Maps trip plan on the go.

Firstly, make sure you’ve got the Google Maps app installed on your phone. Got it? Great!

Here’s how to access your trip plan:

1. Open Google Maps on your phone.
2. Look for “Saved” in the menu. Tap it.
3. Scroll down to “Maps” and find your trip plan.
4. Tap on it. 

Want to see all your planned stops? Tap “View map legend.” It’s like a bird’s eye view of your trip.

Ready to head to your first stop? Here’s what to do:

1. Tap on the place you want to go.
2. See that “Directions” button? Tap it.
3. Choose how you want to get there—driving, walking, biking, or public transport.
4. Google Maps will show you the best route.

💡One last tip: If you’re worried about data usage, download the Google map of your destination before you leave. You’ll still be able to see your plan, even without the internet. For more tips on using Google Maps effectively, check out our guide on using Google Maps as a route planner.

Now you’re all set to hit the road. Your perfectly planned trip is right there in your pocket.

Advanced Tips and Tricks to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps

To help you out with multi-stop road trip planning, we’ve put together some advanced tips that will make your planning process smoother and your trip more enjoyable.

1. Optimize your route 

Ever wonder if there’s a better way to order your stops? There is! 

While Google Maps doesn’t do this automatically, you can use the best  route planning and optimization app like Upper. Just import your stops, and it’ll find the most efficient route.

2. Plan for breaks 

Long drives can be tiring. Why not plan some interesting stops along the way? 

Look for quirky roadside attractions, scenic viewpoints, or highly-rated diners, and add these as stops on your map. 

3. Use custom icons 

Remember how we talked about changing pin colors? Let’s get even more specific. 

Use custom icons for different types of stops. A bed icon for hotels, a camera for photo spots, or a fork and knife for restaurants. This visual guide will help you quickly understand your map at a glance.

4. Add notes to your pins 

Did you know you can add notes to each pin? 

Click on a pin, hit the pencil icon, and add details in the description. Use this for reservation numbers, opening hours, or tips you’ve found.

5. Create a time budget 

Planning a tight schedule? 

In the description of each pin, add how long you plan to stay. This helps you see if your day is realistic or if you need to shuffle some stops around.

6. Use layers creatively 

We’ve used layers for different days, but you can do more. 

Create layers for different themes like “Nature Spots,” “City Attractions,” or “Food Stops.” This lets you toggle them on and off, helping you focus on specific aspects of your trip.

7. Save offline maps 

Worried about losing the signal on the road? Before you leave, download the Google Maps app offline maps for your route. 

In the Google Maps app, search for the area you’ll be in, tap the name at the bottom, and then select “Download.” Now you’ll have maps even without the Internet!

8. Share editing rights 

If you’re planning with others, give them editing access. This way, everyone can edit Google Maps to add their must-see spots and contribute to the plan. It’s like planning together, even when you’re apart.

9. Use street view 

Are you unsure about a location? Drop the little yellow person icon onto your map to enter Street View. This lets you virtually scout locations, check for parking, or get excited about what you see!

Remember, the best road trips balance planning with spontaneity. Use these tips to create a solid framework, but don’t be afraid to go off-script if you discover something exciting. 

6 Reasons Why Google Maps Is the Most Preferred Trip Planner

By now, you must know how to use a travel or road trip planner. 

However, if you are still wondering why Google Maps is the first choice of most travelers, let’s examine the reasons to understand why.

1. Helps you plan a road trip itinerary

Whether planning a cross-country adventure or a quick weekend getaway, Google Maps has your back. Here’s what you can do:

• Create layers for each day of your trip
• Pin all the cool spots you want to visit
• Save your favorite places in lists
• Mark hotels along your route (just in case!)
• Find gas stations and rest stops
• Book your stays right from the app
• Share your plans with your travel buddies

Cool, right? It’s like having a travel agent in your pocket!

2. Easy access while traveling

Remember the days of wrestling with paper maps? Those are long gone! 

With Google Maps, your entire trip plan is right on your phone. You can even download maps to use offline. No internet? No problem!

3. Provides efficient routes

Google Maps doesn’t just show you the way – it shows you the best way. It considers things like:

• Traffic jams
• Construction zones
• Restricted areas
• Highways & tolls

This means you’ll spend less time on the road and more time enjoying your destination.

4. The inside scoop on places

Want to know if that restaurant is worth your time? Google Maps has you covered:

• Read reviews from other travelers
• Check out photos of the place
• See opening hours and prices
• Get an idea of how busy it usually is

5. Customizability at its best

Your trip is unique, and your Google map should be too. With Google Maps, you can:

• Add personal notes to locations
• Use different colors for different types of places
• Add your icons

Make your map as colorful and detailed as you want. It’s your trip, after all!

6. Connectivity with other Google apps

If you use other Google apps, you’re in for a treat. Google Maps works seamlessly with them. This means you can access your trip info across all your devices. How convenient is that?

So there you have it! Six reasons why Google Maps is a traveler’s best friend. It’s easy to use, packed with features, and always there when you need it. 

7 Limitations of Google My Maps for Multi-stop Trip Planning

We’ve discussed how great Google My Maps can be for planning trips. But let’s keep it real—no tool is perfect. Even our trusty Google My Maps has its quirks and limitations. 

Let’s discuss what you might find frustrating when using it for your multi-stop adventures.

1. No automatic route optimization

Wouldn’t it be great if Google My Maps could magically arrange your stops in the most efficient order? Sadly, it can’t. 

You’ll need to manually arrange your stops in the order you want to visit them.

If this sounds like a problem, consider using a route optimizer software like Upper. It can automatically optimize your stops in the most efficient sequence,  saving both time and fuel.

2. Limited stops in directions

Planning a cross-country road trip with dozens of stops? Google My Maps might make you sweat. It only allows up to 10 stops when giving directions. For longer road trips, you’ll need to split your journey into segments.

To avoid this, you might find it easier to use Upper, which handles hundreds of stops in one go. There is no need to break your trip into multiple segments.

3. No time windows for stops

Do you have a strict schedule? Google My Maps won’t help you time your visits. 

You can’t add specific time slots for each stop, so if you’re trying to visit that museum before it closes, you’ll need to keep track of time yourself.

For road trips where timing is crucial, Upper allows you to set time windows for each stop, ensuring you stay on schedule.

4. Limited collaboration features

Planning a trip with friends? While you can share your map, real-time collaboration isn’t as smooth as you might hope. It’s not quite like working together on Google Docs.

Upper offers collaborative features that allow teams to work together seamlessly on the same route plan, even in real time.

5. Complex interface

The interface for creating and managing custom Google maps is complex and less user-friendly, especially for users unfamiliar with mapping tools.

Also, if you’re visual, you might find the design options a bit… meh. 

If you prefer a more intuitive experience, consider exploring Upper, designed to be easy to navigate, even for beginners.

6. No advanced features 

Features like bulk address import, real-time route adjustments, or detailed route analytics are unavailable, hindering detailed and efficient trip planning.

Upper provides these advanced features, making it easier to plan and adjust routes on the fly and analyze your trips for better planning.

Your Trip Planning Starts Here

From creating your first custom map to navigating the twists and turns of multi-stop planning, you’re now equipped to make the most of Google Maps for your next trip.

Remember, Google Maps is a fantastic starting point for most travelers. It’s free, familiar, and packed with features that can make your journey smoother. But like any tool, it has its limits. 

If you are wrestling with complex routes or craving more advanced features, don’t hesitate to explore alternatives like Upper by taking the free trial.

Whatever tool you choose, the most important thing is to get out there and explore. Use these tips to plan your route, but don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity. 

Sometimes, the best memories come from those unplanned detours.