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MapQuest: Get Directions

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Get directions & show routes

You can get directions for driving, public transit, walking, ride sharing, cycling, flight, or motorcycle on Google Maps. If there are multiple routes, the best route to your destination is blue, all other routes are gray. Some directions in Google Maps are in development and may have limited availability. 

Important: Stay alert when you use directions on Google Maps. Always be aware of your surroundings to ensure the safety of yourself and others. When in doubt, follow actual traffic regulations and confirm signage from the road or path that you’re on.

Maps

Open Google Maps

  • If you don’t yet have the app, download it from the Play Store.
  • Search for your destination or tap it on the map.

Directions

Learn more about how to search for flights .

Tip: To choose another route in any transportation mode, select it on the map. Each route shows the estimated travel time on the map.

Google Maps transportation modes

You can get directions for different modes of transportation in Google Maps. Learn about the differences in features and availability between each mode:

  • You can pin your favorite trips when you tap the Pin button at the bottom. Learn more about how to pin your favorite trips .
  • Not all cities have public transit directions in Google Maps. Before you can get transit directions, your local transit agency needs to add their route info to Google Maps.
  • You can pin your favorite trips when you tap the Pin button at the bottom.  Learn more about how to pin your favorite trips .

Walking

  • If you want directions in an area with ride or taxi services, you can compare ride services with transit and walking directions. Learn how to request a ride .

Cycling

  • Learn how to get directions for motorcycles .

Add multiple destinations

You can get directions to multiple destinations for all modes of transportation except public transit or flight.

More

  • You can add up to 9 stops.
  • When you’re finished, tap Done .

Tip : You can search for places along your route.

To change the order of your stops:

Reorder

  • Drag the destination.

Preview directions in Street View

  • On your Android phone or tablet, to view detailed directions, pull up the bottom window.
  • To get to the next step in the route, at the bottom, pull left.
  • To get to the previous step, at the bottom, pull right.

Back

Customize your route

  • Turn on Avoid tolls or Avoid highways .

By default, your starting point is your location. You can change where your route begins and ends.

Important: You can't start navigation if you don't use your current location, but you can still get a preview of the route.

  • To edit your starting point, at the top, tap Your location .
  • To edit your destination, tap what's listed in the destination box.
  • Tap Preview .

and then

  • To change your travel dates or times, select Depart at or Arrive by .

Important: This feature is only available in select cities.

When your route has a toll road, Google Maps shows you the estimated price before you start navigation.

Change toll pass price settings in the Google Maps app

You can choose your settings for accurate prices. By default, Maps shows toll prices based on toll pass rates. To have Maps display toll prices without a toll pass:

Account Circle

  • Scroll to “Toll Price” and turn off See toll pass prices .

How Maps estimates toll prices

Toll prices in Maps are estimations. They don’t replace actual prices set by the toll operators, which they publish on their websites and road signs.

Maps estimates toll prices based on factors such as:

  • Day of the week
  • Hour of the day
  • Specific dates
  • Payment method (such as cash, pay by mail, toll pass, or tag account)

Maps doesn’t calculate toll prices for congestion-based toll roads or lanes where prices vary based on traffic.

When you enter a destination in Google Maps, we show you how to get there using different travel modes, like driving, cycling, or walking. 

Sometimes, the transport options we show you are ranked according to a combination of objective factors designed to help you find relevant and useful information. These factors can include duration, distance, price, your mode preference, or the relevance of a mode to your query. Generally, the most important factors are your mode preference, trip durations, and sometimes price.

Where available, we also show you other mobility services like public transport, scooter or bicycle rentals, and vehicle ride services. These mobility services are provided by third parties who have made their transport data publicly available or who have a partner agreement with us. Any partnerships or business relationships we may have with any transportation service providers do not influence the ranking of these services.

Related resources

  • Get traffic or search for places along the way
  • Plan your commute or trip

Explore and navigate your world

Discover new experiences across the world or around the corner.

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Explore your world

With the redesigned Explore tab, find places to eat and things to do around you or when you travel

Just for you

See recommendations for new and trending places based on your interests

Discover new experiences across the world or around the corner

Create lists

Easily create lists of places you want to go, and add notes to the places you’ve saved. You can keep these lists private, share them with close friends, or share them publicly. You can also browse through lists created by publishers, Local Guides or Google

Make your plans happen by connecting with the places you’re interested in

Follow your favorites.

Stay on top of offers, updates and more when you follow your favorite businesses

Make your plans happen by connecting with the places you’re interested in

Make a reservation, book an appointment, or get tickets with just a few taps

Get answers fast

Message a business right on Google Maps to find out information

Navigate the world around you

Real time traffic updates.

Find the best route when driving, with real-time updates on traffic jams, accidents, road closures and speed traps. You can also keep fellow drivers in the know by reporting incidents yourself

Hands-free help with the Google Assistant

Your Google Assistant is now integrated into Google Maps so you can message, call, listen to music and get hands-free help while driving. Say “Hey Google” to get started

Navigate the world around you

Real-time updates for public transportation

Get up-to-the-minute updates on busses and trains, like departure times and how crowded the bus is. You can also see where on the map your bus is so you know if you need to walk a little faster to the bus stop

Explore new places confidently

With Live View in Google Maps, see the way you need to go with arrows and directions placed right on top of your world. There’s less second guessing and missing turns

Control your data with confidence

Industry-leading data protection.

Every day you’re Safer with Google. We use the most advanced technology like differential privacy to protect your data and build helpful features - like seeing how busy a place is so you can avoid the crowd.

Easy-to-use privacy controls

You’re in control. With Your data in Maps , you can easily view and manage your Location History and other account settings. Location History is off by default. When you turn on Location History, it can help you with real-time traffic predictions for your commute or reminisce about places you’ve been.

Search with Incognito mode

When you want additional privacy, use Incognito mode in Google Maps. When it’s turned on, you can navigate, search for places, and find business information from your device - all without searches or directions being saved in account.

See how people are using Google Maps to explore what’s around them, put their communities on the map, and help others

Why we map the world.

Map making is an ancient human endeavor, and one that those of us working on Google Maps are honored to continue to pursue

Mountain View, California

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Melbourne, Australia

Mums who map

A group of Local Guides, Mums who Map, dedicated their time to help parents find kid-friendly places in Melbourne, Australia.

Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Mapping Tonga

Tania Wolfgramm and Wikuki Kingi set out to bring Tonga to Street View for all the world to see.

Devon Island, Canada

Together with the Mars Institute and NASA, Google Maps documented the research that goes on Devon Island, the most Mars-like place on Earth.

Norcia, Italy

Mapping Italy’s Recovery

One Local Guide records the aftermath of Italy’s earthquakes to show the world that they still need help recovering.

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Kerala Flood Rescue

Bobby Kurian used Google Maps to tag her parents’ location to help rescue them in the Kerala floods.

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With the help of Local Guides and Google Maps, Princess Ilonze got hospitals and police stations on the map to help save lives.

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The India Literacy Project teamed up with Google to help students explore the world through photos uploaded by Local Guide.

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Connecting to Bozeman

One Local Guide was inspired to celebrate and show off her hometown in a unique way.

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Mapping Blood Donation Sites

Local Guide Adriano Anjos in Brazil mapped Sao Paulo’s blood donation centers on Google Maps.

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Wheelchair-accessible routes on Google Maps has made getting around easier for Meridtyh, Omari, Adam, and Lucy.

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Plus Codes creates geographical coordinates that provide an address to those who previously had none.

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Vets Kayak The Grand Canyon

Five blind veterans kayaked through the Grand Canyon and documented their journey on Street View.

Google Maps Blog

Read articles, interviews, and more to learn what’s new on Google Maps

Uniblog publish

Want the best prices for your trip? Google can help.

Ancient architecture

Take off to your next destination with Google Maps

Dancers

Hip-hop dancers show Paris in a new light on Street View

There's more we can help you with.

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Google My Business

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Get Google Maps

The Best Free Driving Directions and Map Websites and Apps

travel directions map

Google Maps

Aaa driving directions, rand mcnally online driving directions.

With the near-ubiquity of GPS systems built into cars and smartphones, apps have overtaken pesky, hard-to-fold paper maps and even printable online driving directions as travelers' go-to tool for finding their way on the road. Still, there are times when it makes sense to have a mapping backup in case of spotty cellphone reception or even to plot your own scenic route. Since most driving directions websites and apps are free, you can afford to double up. Choose wisely with this look at the best options.

The accuracy of Google's detailed road maps is unparalleled, which is helpful if you'd like to plot a scenic route rather than driving on interstate highways or avoid toll routes (where possible). This is easily the best free online driving directions tool, thanks to Google's massive project to map public roads worldwide.

On the app or website, click "Street View" for street-level visuals that can help you effectively pinpoint landmarks and locations. You can plot a route from Point A to Point B, and Google will tell you the best driving route, public transit options, flight times, and in some cases, walking distance. 

The Google Maps app lets you plan and recalibrate your route in real-time and gives step-by-step voice directions, particularly useful when you're driving and it's not safe to glance at a map every few minutes.

The pre-installed driving directions app for iOS phones, Apple Maps got off to a shaky start when it was launched in 2012. Since then, the company has made significant upgrades to the app and its interface, connecting it with iPhone's personal assistant Siri for seamless directions. Where Waze is a little more cartoony and Google Maps has few bells and whistles, the Apple Maps app feels like other Apple products, emphasizing the design and user interface.

Waze has many of the basic features of other mapping tools but adds a social element that is the hallmark of its app. Google bought it in 2013, but Waze had already established itself as the way to crowdsource directions. This includes alerts from other drivers about upcoming traffic, construction, and police speed traps on your route. Users can even connect their Spotify accounts to the Waze app to play perfect driving music for a trip. 

On the Internet since 1996, MapQuest has been surpassed in recent years by competitors like Google Maps and Apple Maps. MapQuest has long had issues with the accuracy of its directions, but recent iterations of its driving directions website are more on target. 

MapQuest's most handy features include assessing current traffic conditions and estimated fuel costs based on current prices. While MapQuest has ceded its spot at the top of the list of map providers, its app and online driving directions are free, and it's a good backup option to your smartphone's built-in navigation.

The American Automobile Association (better known as AAA) offers its TripTik Travel Planner service free online ​. It allows you to print a paper version like its old-style TripTik maps. Sometimes the directions generated can be somewhat convoluted, though, so while they'll get you there, it might not be via the easiest route. With one click, though, you can choose a scenic route, which makes this tool worth trying if you want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Be forewarned: The AAA website has this annoying feature of demanding to know your zip code before it will allow you to access content, which is a frustrating extra step.

Rand McNally's map-making history dates back to 1856, but the company was a bit slow to the dance and didn't offer free driving directions online until 1999.

If you haven't tried Rand McNally for directions, you might give them a try, particularly if you are planning a long trip with multiple segments. You can customize your route, and Rand McNally's site will recognize any address format, so even if you're not entirely sure of your end destination, their interface should be able to get you there.

Be advised that their accuracy is a little buggier than some other maps and directions sites. 

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  • #1 in Navigation
  • 4.7 • 5.8M Ratings

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Description.

Navigate your world faster and easier with Google Maps. Over 220 countries and territories mapped and hundreds of millions of businesses and places on the map. Get real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit info, and find what you need by getting the latest information on businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies and other important places. Get where you need to go efficiently: • Find the best route with automatic rerouting based on live traffic, incidents, and road closure Find important businesses: • Know what’s open in your area and their latest business hours • Find local restaurants offering delivery and takeout • Create lists of your important places Get there faster with real-time updates • Beat traffic with real-time ETAs and traffic conditions • Catch your bus, train, or ride-share with real-time transit info • Save time with automatic rerouting based on live traffic, incidents, and road closure • With Live View in Google Maps, see the way you need to go with arrows and directions placed right on top of your world. There’s no second guessing or missing another turn. More experiences on Google Maps • Offline maps to search and navigate without an internet connection • Street View and indoor imagery for restaurants, shops, museums and more • Indoor maps to quickly find your way inside big places like airports, malls and stadiums Some features not available in all countries Navigation isn't intended to be used by oversized or emergency vehicles

Version 6.106.1

Thanks for using Google Maps! This release brings bug fixes that improve our product to help you discover new places and navigate to them.

Ratings and Reviews

5.8M Ratings

Options needed

Two things: First, you need to have a pause button on Google Maps so that when somebody wants to go to the restroom, Miss Yip Yap isn’t busy telling them to go north, south, east, and west within 30 seconds trying to get them back on the track. Second, for heaven sake‘s, quit rerouting me without my permission. The selection needs to be “tap to accept,” not “accept unless I tell you no thanks.” At least 10 times in the last 10,000 miles, I have had to backtrack 20 or 30 miles to get to where I wanted to go instead of where you decided I should go. I’m hearing impaired; I don’t always hear Miss Yip Yap asking if I want to reroute, and I shouldn’t have to constantly go back and tell you that I want to go on the route I selected, and not the one you think I should use. If you don’t want to change the way the switches work, put in a selection in the settings that says “tap to accept” or “tap to decline.” I am beyond frustrated with having to hunt down on a map where I really want to be and how to get there, because invariably when I figure out Miss Yip Yap has rerouted me, I am in an area of no phone service, so I can’t reroute on Google Maps, because it says, “Off-line: touch to retry.”
Don’t guys rely on google maps app. I am using it for years without any complaints. But today, google maps made my day as a nightmare. We went to Grand Canyon by car from Las Vegas. It’s was alright and took us about 4 and half hours, but when we were going back it’s showed me two routes 7 and 8 hours. I was confused because we only drove 4… but I was completely sure everything will be alright, that’s my buddy google maps I can rely on. And then… it took us in the middle of nowhere inside of different canyon with all forests and deserts everywhere and then it was a turn on some kind of road wHICH IS NOT ROAD AT ALL. Even horse can’t pass it. We stacked into the mud or grease and all of us didn’t have ANY SIGNAL TO CALL FOR HELP. It was 3 adults and 2 kids. We spent hours there pushing cars back to normal road. We got so much stress, fear, hopeless. I was like: “it can’t be true..” And then we figure out how to get back on free way and I open my app again, I though that it’s ok if that time it’s confused but when google maps see us on highway driving in right direction it will restart and finally works! But no… it tried to take us back to the woods. The road there even called “lost canyon road” so I just want to say that google maps isn’t always right and it’s not an app you can be sure about. You guys better fix this, we saw couple people going there back and force and even stacked like us with no signal. Thanks for attention, but I am still pretty upset.

Cycling Maps feature unnecessarily falls short

Map doesn’t display on screen when I’m using step by step navigation but it does when you’re driving. So you can’t see where you’re going…you get notifications on your screen for each direction instead, something you have to try to read and pedal and steer simultaneously, unless you enjoy stopping to see what your next direction is after every single one you complete. That’s the other thing, it gives you directions literally the moment you need them. When you drive, if it says go left, you turn left and it tells you your next street and turn to look for and the distance before you reach it. In cycling mode, in the same scenario, it would say turn left as you reached the street and continue to say turn left until you reach your next turn. So you have no idea at all what to look for, can’t anticipate anything, and you’re basically riding blind between each step. And if you miss a step, it automatically re routes you, so I rode about three miles uphill needlessly in the rain yesterday because I couldn’t hear my phone over the road and rain noise, nor had any idea what turn to look for, when to look for it, or how to rectify all of those failures in real time, I was pretty much being led astray in the pouring rain by an app that doesn’t have any of these problems in driving mode…

App Privacy

The developer, Google LLC , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

  • Financial Info
  • Contact Info
  • User Content
  • Search History
  • Browsing History
  • Identifiers
  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Burmese, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Vietnamese

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Google Maps update makes it way easier to follow directions on Android and iOS

Quiet Maps update finally gives us glanceable directions

Two phones on a yellow background showing the glanceable directions in Google Maps

  • Google Maps is rolling out glanceable directions on Android and iOS
  • The feature shows you navigation updates on your lock screen
  • You need to turn the feature on within the app's settings

Following its announcement over a year ago on February 8 2023, and a delay to its planned launch in June 2023 , Google Maps has finally been updated with glanceable directions on both iOS and Android.

This Google Maps feature allows you to track your progress to your destination from the route overview – without you needing to press the start navigation button. As you travel, your position and ETA on the map will be updated to account for your travel speed and if you take an alternative route.

Best of all, Google has said some of this navigation data will appear on your lock screen so you don’t need to waste time unlocking your phone and opening the Google Maps app to see where you should head next.

Despite being a fairly nifty travel upgrade Google has for some reason decided to silently roll out this feature (it was first spotted by Android Police ). The rollout is already pretty widespread – we have it on our iOS devices, and we're seeing users from various regions reporting that it's available on both Android and iOS.

Even if you don’t see any changes to your app, you can probably already turn this tool on – or simply update the app on Android or iOS and follow the instructions below on where to find it.

How to turn on Google Maps’ glanceable Directions 

To turn on glanceable directions you’ll need to open up the Google Maps app and tap on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. This opens up a menu, you’ll want to then tap on Settings and scroll down a little to find Navigation Settings .

In this final menu scroll down again until you see a subheading for ‘Glanceable direction while navigating’ – it’s sandwiched between ‘Map display’ and ‘Driving options’. 

Turn this toggle on and you’ll turn on the new glanceable directions feature, though a little disclaimer notes that some of your navigation data will be collected to “improve maps for everyone.” There’s a ‘Learn more’ button you can tap to find out what this means for your data.

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5 Google Maps Tips You Need To Know When Planning Your Next Trip

W hether a brief weekend escape or an extensive expedition across continents, planning a trip can be a daunting task. The challenge of selecting the ideal destinations, navigating through unfamiliar territories, and ensuring that you experience all the essential sights without overlooking anything, can quickly become overwhelming for any traveler. This is where online maps come into play, and one prominent tool that almost everyone has used at some point is Google Maps.

Google Maps goes beyond basic directions . It offers a suite of features designed to make trip planning not just easier, but also more enjoyable. You can map out itineraries, discover new attractions, get insights into local restaurants and services, and even find electric vehicle charging stations . The platform's real-time updates, user reviews, and detailed information on points of interest can help you make informed decisions while exploring new destinations. Moreover, its customization features allow you to create personalized maps that cater specifically to your travel plans, which are also shareable. Here are five essential Google Maps tips that every traveler should know. These tips will not only help you streamline your trip-planning process but also ensure that your travels are as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Read more: 12 Smart Gadgets You Didn't Know Existed

Utilizing Offline Maps

When you're heading out on a trip, one thing you definitely don't want to worry about is losing access to your maps when your signal drops. That's where offline maps come in handy. Google Maps allows you to download maps for offline use, ensuring you never get lost even when you're off the grid.

Downloading maps for offline use is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

  • Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone or tablet. 
  • Tap on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  • Choose Offline maps.
  • Tap Select your own map in the following window.
  • Drag the map window to your desired area.
  • Select Download.

Depending on the size of the area you're downloading and your internet connection speed, this process may take a few moments.

Once the download is complete, you'll be able to access the map even without an internet connection. Offline maps are not only convenient, but they can also save you time and frustration. Imagine hiking in a remote area and losing your cell signal — having the offline map ensures you can still navigate your way back to your starting point without any hassle. This is also one of the many secret Google Maps features that can come in handy.

Customizing Your Route With Multiple Stops

We all have days packed with errands or sightseeing, where we just wish we could plan the routes efficiently. Google Maps allows you to do that by customizing your route with multiple stops. It's a nifty feature that can save you time and make your trips more organized.

Follow these steps:

  • Open Google Maps on your device and enter your final destination.
  • Click on the three buttons next to your starting point and select Add stop. 
  • You can add multiple stops by repeating this step. 
  • Rearrange stops by dragging the three lines next to each destination.

Now, Google Maps will calculate the most efficient route for you, taking into account all your stops along the way. This is perfect for those days when you have several places to visit or errands to run, but you want to make sure you're not zigzagging all over town. It can also save you time and fuel. Plus, it's a great way to ensure you don't forget any important stops along the way. 

When customizing your route with multiple stops on Google Maps, keep in mind to arrange your stops in a logical order to minimize backtracking and optimize efficiency. Additionally, consider traffic conditions and estimated travel times between each stop to plan your schedule accordingly. Lastly, ensure that all stops are accurately inputted to avoid any confusion or missed destinations along the way.

Taking Advantage Of Live Traffic Updates

This feature provides real-time information about traffic conditions, allowing you to avoid packed routes and save valuable time.

As you navigate with Google Maps, the app constantly monitors traffic conditions along your route. If there is heavy traffic, accidents, or road closures ahead, Google Maps will highlight the problematic area on the map using yellow or red markers.

To enable live traffic updates, open the Google Maps app and enter your destination. Once your route is set, Google Maps will display real-time traffic information along the way, including any incidents or slowdowns. You can then choose to follow the suggested route or explore alternative options based on the traffic conditions. 

When using live traffic updates on Google Maps, keep in mind to regularly check for updates throughout your journey to stay informed about changing road conditions. You can also report problems on the road yourself on Google Maps . Lastly, be flexible with your travel plans and prepared to follow alternative routes suggested by Google Maps to avoid congestion and minimize travel time.

By taking advantage of live traffic updates, you can make informed decisions about your route and avoid getting stuck in gridlock. Whether you're commuting to work or heading out on a road trip, this feature can help you reach your destination more efficiently.

Exploring Nearby Attractions And Restaurants

When you're in a new area, or even just exploring your own neighborhood, Google Maps can be a great tool for discovering nearby attractions and restaurants. 

To start exploring:

  • Open Google Maps and zoom in on the area of your interest. You should see several options below the search bar, including Restaurants, Gas, Coffee, Shopping, ATMs, and more. 
  • Click on the option you want to explore. For instance, if you are looking for places to eat nearby, select Restaurants to see a list of dining options in the area. Each restaurant will be marked with its location on the map, along with details such as the establishment's name, its rating, and sometimes photos or reviews. 
  • Refine your search further by applying filters for rating and distance. 
  • After selecting a restaurant that catches your interest, click on it to view more detailed information, including its address, hours of operation, contact details, and directions on how to get there. 

Google Maps also allows you to call the restaurant directly from the app if you wish to make a reservation or inquire about menu items.

You can explore all these categories by swiping right on the options pane below the search bar. To view the full list, click on the More button (three dots) at the very end.

Create A Custom Map To Share With Friends And Family

You can also easily create a custom map and share it with whoever you want on Google Maps. It's a great way to collaborate on travel plans, recommend must-visit places, or simply share your favorite local hangouts.

  • Open Google Maps on your computer and sign into your Google account. 
  • Click on the menu icon and choose Saved > Maps > Open My Maps. 
  • Start a new map by clicking the Create A New Map button. 
  • Give your map a title and a description that encapsulates the essence of your adventure or theme. This could be anything from "Family Road Trip to Yellowstone" to "Best Coffee Shops in New York City." 
  • Populate your map with markers. Click on the marker icon, then click on the location on the map you wish to mark. For each marker, you can add a detailed description, upload photos, and even include links for more information. 
  • Additionally, Google My Maps allows you to draw paths and shapes, perfect for outlining routes or highlighting areas of interest. 
  • Once your map is ready, click on the Share button. Here, you'll be prompted to set the map's privacy settings. You can choose to make it public, share it with specific people, or keep it private with a link.
  • Finally, invite your friends via email or simply send them the link.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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Why the M25 is closing — the ambitious plan in maps

Junction 10 is the busiest in the country and notorious for collisions. get ready for the first daytime closures in its history.

Ten years in the planning, the Wisley interchange project is one of the most significant since the M25 opened in 1986

I t’s the busiest junction on the busiest motorway in the country. But at 9pm on Friday, the traffic will disappear completely from a five-mile stretch of the M25 as it closes for roadworks during daytime for the first time in its history.

The London Orbital will be shut in both directions between junctions 10 and 11 until 6am on Monday, as part of a £317 million engineering project to build a new interchange with the A3, improving safety, congestion, and even, according to National Highways, the local environment.

Up to 6,000 vehicles an hour bound for Heathrow, Gatwick and the Channel ports will be diverted to adjoining roads in Surrey, causing widespread traffic jams. Motorists have been advised to stay away.

They had better get

Related articles

M25 to close all lanes during day for first time

Texas wildfire update: Map shows ongoing devastation as blazes engulf over a million acres

travel directions map

The Texas wildfires continue to sweep across the state's panhandle and have now burned over a million acres.

The Smokehouse Creek Fire , now the largest in the state's history, was last reported to be burning across 1,076,638 acres, according to Texas A&M Forest Service's post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Although it shrunk from its initial size, the fire is still only 15% contained.

The agency states that the fire's acreage will continue to change as mapping becomes more accurate. "Firefighters continue suppression actions on the fire," states the post.

The warm, dry weather in the area has proved to be an obstacle as firefighters battle the blazes. But conditions are expected to improve today as a cold front is expected to move across the state's rural Panhandle early Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Click here for latest info for 3/6/2024: Fire chief dies, map shows scope of devastation, learn how you can help those impacted

Where are the Texas wildfires?

According to the latest data provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service , there are six active fires in the state:

  • Smokehouse Creek  — Hutchinson County, 1,076,638 acres, 15% contained
  • Windy Deuce  — Moore County, 144,206 acres, 55% contained
  • Grape Vine Creek  — Gray County, 34,882 acres, 60% contained
  • Magenta  — Oldham County, 3,297 acres, 85% contained
  • 687 Reamer  — Hutchinson County, 2,000 acres, 10% contained
  • Roughneck  — Hutchinson County, 300 acres, 25% contained

Texas wildfire maps

Burn bans issued in texas.

There are 65 counties in the state, mainly in its panhandle and western border, that are under burn bans due to the wildfires and drought conditions.

In a post on X, FEMA warned that wildfire danger is high not only in Texas but also Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana.

The agency is asking people to check local burn bans and reg flag warnings in their area.

Texas wildfires have caused 2 deaths

So far, two deaths have been confirmed from the fire.

According to Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Chris Ray, Cindy Owen, who was driving in Hemphill County when she encountered the fire or smoke from it on Tuesday afternoon. She got out of her truck, and the flames overtook her.

Joyce Blankenship, 83, was identified by family members. According to her grandson, Lee Quesada, deputies told his uncle that the former substitute teacher's remains were found Wednesday in her home, which was burned.

In addition to human lives lost, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller predicts there could be around 10,000 cattle deaths due to the fire. But, this number is not confirmed.

Texas governor, Greg Abbott, said on Friday that he believes wildfires destroyed around 500 structures, reports NPR .

“The countless Texans who have been impacted by these devastating wildfires are going through challenges that require our ongoing support and assistance as we work together to help the entire Panhandle region rebuild and return to normalcy," said Abbott in a statement.

Contributing: Ahjané Forbes, Thao Nguyen

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture.   You can follow her on  X, formerly known as Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok : @juliamariegz.

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Red Cross providing migrants with maps, resources to travel to US border

Packets distributed in mexico stamped with the american red cross logo outline routes, shelters and tips to complete the journey.

Cartels feel 'emboldened' by weak US policies: Sheriff Mark Lamb

Cartels feel 'emboldened' by weak US policies: Sheriff Mark Lamb

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb discusses violence in Arizona and the Red Cross providing migrants with packets detailing resources for crossing the southern border.

The American Red Cross is under fire for reportedly providing migrants with maps and guides to help them make the dangerous journey through Mexico to the U.S. border.

Packets stamped with the American Red Cross logo revealed by the Daily Caller News Foundation include the locations of hotels and clinics, routes to American border cities and tips on "self care" and the use of contraceptives. 

Arizona Sheriff Mark Lamb said the packets prove how treacherous the journey is.

"They didn't tell asthmatics to bring their inhalers. They didn't tell diabetics to bring their diabetes medicine, but they did tell the women to bring contraceptives because they know that women are being raped," Lamb said on "Fox & Friends First" Friday.

red cross map of mexico

A Red Cross map provides routes and resources for migrants to make the journey to the U.S. border. (The Daily Caller News Foundation/"Fox & Friends First")

LATEST MIGRANT DEATHS IN RIO GRANDE HIGHLIGHT EXTREME DANGERS FACING BORDER CROSSERS

Lamb argued the message the American Red Cross should send instead is: "Do not cross."

The journey, the desert, the snakes and the people are all too dangerous, he said.

"We can't keep making it easy for them and telling them how to do it."

Migrants make fire as sun goes down

Immigrants warm by a fire at dawn after spending a night alongside the U.S.-Mexico border fence on December 22, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)

Lamb then called out the Biden administration for failing to address the migration and drug crises at the border and, as a result, "emboldening" criminal cartels.

"The weakness of these policies has created strength for the cartels," Lamb said.

Lamb said cartels feel like they can get away with anything – from kidnapping and killing Americans to trafficking drugs like fentanyl.

Border crisis: Hundreds of illegal migrants cross at night

US ISSUES ‘DO NOT TRAVEL’ WARNING FOR PARTS OF MEXICO AS SPRING BREAK APPROACHES

The sheriff, who said he has also lost a child recently, offered prayers and condolences for the families of the two Americans recently killed by cartel members in Matamoros, Mexico. He said the U.S. government now needs to act swiftly and strongly in response. 

"We cannot let this kind of behavior go unchecked or it's going to just continue to cause problems. It's going to cost more American lives," Lamb told host Ashley Strohmier.

"Let's not forget the 107,000 American lives that were poisoned last year. Those lives matter as well," he said in reference to U.S. fentanyl deaths. 

Mexico American kidnapping

Note allegedly left by the Gulf Cartel for Mexican authorities apologizing for the actions of some members it claimed were responsible for the kidnap and murder of Americans last week.  (Twitter)

Mexican President Obrador, however, claimed Thursday his country doesn’t produce fentanyl and said it’s an American problem.

"They don't care about American lives," Lamb responded. "They don't care that the fentanyl poisoning that's coming from Mexico is killing American lives every day. It doesn't matter to them, and it won't start mattering to them until they're impacted by it.

MEXICAN CARTEL ‘APOLOGIZES’ IN LETTER FOR KIDNAPPING, MURDER OF AMERICANS, TURNS IN MEMBERS ‘RESPONSIBLE’

Rep. Dan Crenshaw calls for military force at border to target cartels

Lamb said Americans should be very concerned about the Mexican government’s seemingly friendly relationship with the cartels. 

Obrador also discouraged the U.S. military from sending troops to the border, a measure that Lamb said is needed.

"I don't think Afghanistan or Iraq necessarily wanted us there either, but we went over there," he said. "We got this right at our doorstep. This is right in our backyard."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He said his community is feeling frustrated and left behind by the administration’s lack of action. 

"We just don’t have the strength that we need along the border, and [cartels] know that," he said. "So yes, having a stronger presence, whether it's the military, more Border Patrol agents, more local law enforcement, a stronger presence would absolutely decrease this traffic we're seeing."

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