How to Add More Than 10 Stops on Google Maps

Google Maps has become the go-to mapping service for countless individuals around the world, boasting features such as driving directions, satellite imagery, street maps, 360° panoramic views, and route planning. A standout feature is the capability to add multiple stops on your route, making trip planning a breeze. But what happens when you need to add more than the default limit of 10 destinations? This article provides a thorough guide on how to bypass this limitation and add more than 10 stops on Google Maps, highlighting two distinct methods.

Also see: How to Download Google Maps for Windows 11 or 10

Overview of adding stops in Google Maps

Before we delve into the steps to exceed the 10 stop limit, let’s understand the process of adding multiple stops in Google Maps:

1. Launch Google Maps on your device.
2. Click on the “Directions” button, symbolized by a blue right-arrow icon.
3. Specify your initial and final destinations.
4. To insert a stop, select “Add destination” under the final destination.
5. Append as many stops as you require (up to a maximum of 10).

If you’ve reached the limit of 10 stops and require more, continue reading to learn how to circumvent this constraint.

Useful tip: Create Website or Application Shortcut on Desktop using Chrome

Workaround to add more than 10 stops on Google Maps

The primary method to add more than 10 stops involves generating individual URLs for each set of 10 or fewer stops and subsequently combining these URLs to create an extended route. This approach essentially allows Google Maps to display all stops at once by manipulating the stop coordinates within each URL. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Create the initial part of your route

Start by generating the first section of your route with up to 10 stops:

1. Open Google Maps on your device.
2. Click the “Directions” button.
3. Input your start and end destinations.
4. To incorporate a stop, click “Add destination” at the bottom of the end destination.
5. Add up to 9 extra stops.
6. Once you’ve inserted all stops, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Save the URL

After finalizing the initial part of your route:

1. Copy the URL directly from the address bar of your web browser.
2. Open a text editor such as Notepad.
3. Paste the copied URL into the text editor to save it for later use.

Step 3: Construct the second part of your route

Now, you’re ready to generate the second portion of your journey:

1. Use the last stop of your first part as the starting point for this leg of your trip.
2. Click the “Directions” button.
3. Specify your start and end destinations.
4. Insert up to 9 additional stops.
5. When you’ve finished, proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Save the second URL

Follow the same steps as before to save the second URL:

1. Copy the URL directly from the address bar of your web browser.
2. Open the same text editor where you saved the first URL.
3. Paste the second URL into the text editor, below or next to the first URL.

Step 5: Combine the URLs

At this point, you should have two separate URLs, each representing a different section of your journey. Here’s how to merge them:

1. Open the text editor where you saved the URLs.
2. Every URL should look something like this: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Stop1/Stop2/Stop3/...
3. Delete everything from the “@” symbol onwards in both URLs. This part typically includes user-specific information or session details, but it is not needed for combining the URLs.
4. To merge the URLs, extract the section of the second URL listing the stops after /dir/ (i.e., /Stop1/Stop2/Stop3/...) and append it to the end of the first URL.
5. The final URL should look like this: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/Stop1/Stop2/.../Stop10/Stop11/Stop12/...

You can add as many stops as you want by repeating the same steps for additional sections of your journey. Each time you reach the limit of 10 stops in a section, create a new URL following the previous steps, and then merge it with the existing combined URL.

Related resource: Downloading HTML from a Website

Step 6: Load the combined URL

Now, simply copy the combined URL and paste it into your web browser’s address bar. Hit Enter to load the combined map, and Google Maps should now present a route featuring more than 10 stops.

Alternative method: Saving and navigating multiple routes

While URL manipulation is a highly effective method, there is an alternative for those who prefer a more straightforward approach. This method involves creating separate trips for each set of 10 stops and then manually navigating through them in sequence. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Create the first part of your trip

The process begins the same as the primary method. Set up your first route with up to 10 stops.

Step 2: Save this route

Next, save the route to allow for easy access later:

1. Click on the three-line icon at the top-left corner.
2. Select “Share or embed map.”
3. Share the directions (link) to an email or note-taking app that you can access easily.

Step 3: Create the next part of your trip

This next part will serve as a continuation of your journey:

1. The last stop of your first part should serve as the starting point for this leg of your journey.
2. Click the “Directions” button.
3. Input your start and end destinations.
4. Add up to 9 additional stops.

Step 4: Save this route

Repeat the same process as in Step 2 to share the route to an email or note-taking app.

If your journey contains more than 20 stops, repeat the process as many times as necessary until your entire route is planned.

Step 5: Navigate your route

When you’re ready to start your journey:

1. Open the first route from the location where you’ve saved it.
2. Begin your navigation.
3. When you’re finished with the first part, open the next part of the journey and start the navigation.
4. Repeat the process until you’ve completed your entire journey.

Conclusion

The ability to extend Google Maps’ 10-stop limit provides immense potential for those requiring intricate route planning. Whether you’re a tour operator creating a detailed sightseeing journey, a logistic manager optimizing delivery routes, or simply a traveler wanting to explore multiple destinations in one trip, these solutions offer the flexibility needed for your endeavors.

However, it’s crucial to note that these workarounds, while effective, are unofficial solutions. They rely on the current structure of Google Maps, and future updates or changes could potentially impact their functionality. As Google continues to innovate and develop its mapping platform, we may see new features or modifications that make multi-stop route planning even more accessible and efficient.

In the meantime, users can leverage these methods to overcome current limitations and enhance their Google Maps experience. While planning, remember to consider factors such as travel time, traffic conditions, and the specific needs of your journey to ensure optimal results.