How to Get Directions from Google Maps: Navigation Guide

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Use Google Maps to get directions to and from any location

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: June 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using the Mobile App
|
• Using a Computer
|
• FAQ & Troubleshooting
|
• Video
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Google Maps to get turn-by-turn directions on your iPhone, iPad, Android device, or the Web. If you're using your phone or tablet, you can get live guided navigation as you travel. If you're using a computer, you can pull up directions to and from any location to view, print, or even send to your smartphone or tablet.

Getting Turn by Turn Directions: Quick Steps

1. Open the Google Maps app.
2. Tap the search bar and enter your destination.
3. Tap Directions.
4. Tap Your location to enter your starting point.
5. Select a method of transportation.
6. Tap Start.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Using the Mobile App

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1. 
   1
   Open the Google Maps app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. It's the rainbow pushpin icon on your Home screen or in your app list.
2. 
   2
   Add your destination. Tap the search bar at the top of the screen, type the name or address of the location, and tap it in the search results. Alternatively, you can tap and hold a location on the map to drop a pin.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Directions. You'll see this blue button below the address.
4. 
   4
   Enter your location. Tap the Your location field at the top, enter your starting point, and then select it from the search results.

   • If multiple routes are available, you will see them in gray on the map. To select a different route, just tap it.
   • If your trip has multiple stops, tap the three-dots ••• in the upper right corner of the screen, then tap Add stop to enter another address.
     • The three dots will not appear until you enter a starting point.
5. 
   5
   Select your mode of transportation. Do so by tapping one of the transportation icons at the top of the screen. The options vary by location, but you'll see some or all of these options:

   • Driving: Car icon
   • Transit: Train icon
   • Walking: Hiker icon
   • Rideshare or taxi: Hailing passenger icon
   • Cycling: Bicycle icon
   • Motorcycle: Motorcycle icon
   • Flight: Airplane icon
   • You may need to swipe right to see all of the available icons.
6. 
   6
   Customize your route (optional). If you want to choose some preferences for your route, tap the three horizontal dots next to your starting point at the top of Google Maps, then select Options. Here, you'll find several customization options, including:

   • Avoid highways
   • Avoid tolls
   • Avoid ferries
   • Change units to miles
   • Change units to kilometers
   • Prefer HOV
   • Prefer fuel-efficient routes
   • Selecting your vehicle and driving avatar
   • Show or hide toll pass prices
7. 
   7
   Tap Start to get turn by turn driving directions. You'll see it at the lower-left corner. This starts turn-by-turn navigation.

   • To see a list of the turn-by-turn directions instead of hearing them as you travel, tap Steps ⋮≡.
   • Swipe up from the bottom to view additional options while you navigate, including the ability to report an accident or hazard, search for things to do or see along your route, change your driving avatar, and turn voice navigation on or off.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using a Computer

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1. 
   1
   Go to maps.google.com in your web browser. Use the link, or type the web address into your web browser's address bar and press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
2. 
   2
   Click the Directions icon. It's the white arrow inside a blue diamond, next to the "Search Google Maps" field in the upper-left corner of the map.
3. 
   3
   Enter your starting point. Click or tap Choose starting point, then enter your starting address or location.

   • You can also click on the map to indicate your starting point.
4. 
   4
   Click Choose destination, or click on the map….
5. 
   5
   Enter your destination. Click the next field, then search for the place you're traveling to.

   • You can also click the map to select your destination.
   • If you want to add another stop, click + Add destination below your current destination.
6. 
   6
   Select your mode of transportation. Do so by clicking one of the transportation icons at the top of the window. The options vary by location, but you'll see some or all of these options:

   • Driving: Car icon
   • Transit: Train icon
   • Walking: Hiker icon
   • Rideshare or taxi: Hailing passenger icon
   • Cycling: Bicycle icon
   • Motorcycle: Motorcycle icon
   • Flight: Airplane icon
7. 
   7
   Select a route. If multiple routes are available, click a route to view directions for that route. Routes appear in order by the amount of time it will take to travel to your destination.
8. 
   8
   Click Options to customize your route (optional). Here, you can choose from additional options. Once you make your selections, click Close to return to your directions.

   • Avoid highways
   • Avoid tolls
   • Avoid ferries
   • Change units to miles
   • Change units to kilometers
9. 
   9
   View and save your directions. Now that you have your directions, you have several options:

   • To print the directions, click the printer icon.
   • To send the directions to your Android, iPhone, or iPad so you can take them on the road, click the smartphone icon.
   • Click the sharing icon
     
     to get a shareable link to the map and directions.
   • To find things to do or see along the way, use the "Search along this route" box at the top to search, or use the buttons at the top (Hotels, Gas, etc.).
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQ & Troubleshooting

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1. 1
   How do I see a street view route on Google Maps? To get your directions in Street View mode on your Android, iPhone, or iPad:

   • Enter your destination.
   • Enter your starting point.
   • Tap Steps at the bottom.
   • Swipe up to view Street View photos of each step along the way.
2. 2
   Why can't I hear directions on Google Maps? Here are a few quick fixes for when you can't hear turn by turn directions in Google Maps as you travel:

   • While in navigation mode, tap the white area at the bottom (where the ETA appears) to expand your options.
   • Tap Settings at the bottom.
   • If Mute is selected, tap Unmute.
   • If you are listening to directions through Bluetooth (including Bluetooth headphones and a Bluetooth connection to your car), make sure "Play voice over Bluetooth" is turned on. If you want to hear voice navigation through your phone or tablet instead, turn the switch off.
   • If the volume is too quiet, use the "Guidance volume" options to adjust the volume as needed.
3. 3
   Why can't I get directions in Google Maps? If you can't view or select a route, there could be a few different reasons:

   • Your internet access may be spotty or slow.
   • Location services may be disabled on your phone or tablet. To check:
     • Android: In the Settings app, tap Location, select App location permissions, and choose Google Maps. Select either Allow all the time or Allow only while in use.
     • iPhone/iPad: Open the Settings app and go to Privacy & Security > Location Services. Tap Google Maps and select While Using the App, While Using the App or Widgets, or Always.
4. 4
   How do I stop turn by turn navigation? Tap the red Exit button at the bottom-right corner of Google Maps during voice navigation to stop the directions and return to the map.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How do I print out Google map directions?

  

  Community Answer

  Hit the print button at the top right of the screen. Select the options you want, and click on print.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 14 Helpful 6
• Question

  The voice directions will not work in my car. Any advice?

  

  Community Answer

  Check that the audio setting isn't set to mute, the ringer switch isn't set to silent, the volume is at least 1 tick, and check that the audio isn't connected to a different device.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
• Question

  The volume is too low, and we can't get it to increase.

  

  Ellie Romero

  Community Answer

  You probably have the directions set to Warning or some other mode. Press the sound button and pick a setting.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

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