How to Add Multiple Stops in Google Maps: Complete Guide & Better Alternatives

Can Google Maps Handle Your Multi-Stop Routes?

Google Maps is the go-to navigation app for millions of people worldwide. It excels at getting you from point A to point B with real-time traffic updates, satellite imagery, and turn-by-turn directions. But what happens when you need to visit multiple stops in a single trip?

Whether you're a delivery driver with 25 packages, a sales rep visiting clients across town, or a field technician with a full day of service calls, you've probably wondered: can Google Maps plan a route with multiple stops? The short answer is yes—but with significant limitations that may not work for your needs.

How to Add Multiple Stops in Google Maps (Step-by-Step)

Before we discuss limitations, let's cover the basics. Here's how to add multiple destinations in Google Maps on both desktop and mobile:

On Desktop (maps.google.com)

1. Open Google Maps in your browser and click the Directions button (the arrow icon).
2. Enter your starting location in the first field, or leave it as "Your location" to use GPS.
3. Enter your first destination in the second field.
4. Click "Add destination" below the destination field. A new field will appear.
5. Continue adding destinations until you've entered all your stops (up to 10 total including start and end).
6. Drag and drop stops to reorder them manually if needed.

On Mobile (iOS & Android App)

1. Open the Google Maps app and tap the Directions button.
2. Enter your destination and tap Route.
3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
4. Select "Add stop" and enter additional destinations.
5. Drag stops using the handle icon to reorder them.

The Critical Limitations of Google Maps for Multiple Stops

While Google Maps can handle basic multi-stop navigation, it falls short for professionals who need more robust route planning:

• 10-stop maximum: Google Maps only allows 10 stops per route (including your starting point and final destination). For delivery drivers or technicians with 15, 20, or 50+ stops, this is a dealbreaker.
• No route optimization: Google Maps visits stops in the exact order you enter them. It doesn't calculate the most efficient sequence—that's up to you to figure out manually.
• Manual reordering only: You can drag and drop to reorder stops, but with no optimization help, you're essentially guessing at the best route.
• Can't save multi-stop routes: Unlike single destinations, you can't easily save and reload complex multi-stop routes for future use.
• No bulk address import: You must type each address individually. There's no way to paste a list of addresses or import from a spreadsheet.

When Google Maps Works Fine for Multiple Stops

To be fair, Google Maps handles certain multi-stop scenarios well:

• Road trips with planned waypoints: If you're driving from New York to Miami with predetermined stops in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Charleston, Google Maps works perfectly.
• Running a few errands: Need to hit the grocery store, bank, and pharmacy on your way home? Google Maps can handle that.
• Tourist sightseeing: Visiting 5-6 landmarks in a city? Easy to plan manually in Google Maps.
• Delivery routes you already know: If you've been driving the same neighborhood for years and know the optimal order, you just need navigation, not optimization.

When Google Maps Falls Short

For these scenarios, you need a dedicated route planning tool:

• Delivery drivers with 15+ stops: Amazon Flex, DoorDash, or package delivery drivers routinely have routes that exceed Google's 10-stop limit.
• Sales reps visiting many clients: Covering a territory with 20+ client visits requires both higher stop limits and optimization.
• Field service technicians: HVAC, plumbing, or electrical techs often have 8-12 service calls that need to be sequenced efficiently.
• Logistics coordinators: Anyone planning routes for multiple drivers needs tools that go far beyond what Google Maps offers.

If any of these describe your situation, you need a tool specifically designed for multi-stop route planning.

Common Workarounds (And Why They're Frustrating)

Users have developed various workarounds for Google Maps' limitations, but each has drawbacks:

1. Splitting Routes into Multiple 10-Stop Segments

Some drivers create multiple routes in separate browser tabs, completing one 10-stop segment before switching to the next. This works but requires constant tab-switching, doesn't optimize across segments, and makes it easy to lose track of which stops you've completed.

2. Using Google My Maps

Google My Maps allows you to plot hundreds of locations on a custom map. However, it only lets you generate driving directions for 10 stops at a time, still doesn't optimize your route, and requires more manual work to set up.

3. Third-Party Extensions and Apps

Some browser extensions claim to add stops to Google Maps beyond the limit, but they often break with updates, may have security concerns, and still don't solve the optimization problem.

EZRoutePlanner: A Better Alternative for Multiple Stops

If you need more than 10 stops or want your route automatically optimized, EZRoutePlanner is designed specifically for professionals who navigate multiple destinations daily. Best of all, you can still use Google Maps for navigation—just with a better-planned route.

Key Features That Go Beyond Google Maps:

• Up to 30 stops free (unlimited on paid plans): Handle real-world delivery routes without artificial limitations.
• Automatic route optimization: Our algorithm calculates the most efficient stop order, potentially saving you hours of driving time.
• Bulk address import: Paste a list of addresses or import from Excel/CSV. No more typing each address individually.
• Export to Google Maps: Plan and optimize in EZRoutePlanner, then export your route directly to Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
• Free to use: Get started without a credit card. No trial limits—just start planning routes.

The workflow is simple: plan and optimize your route in EZRoutePlanner, then export to Google Maps for navigation. You get the best of both worlds—intelligent route planning and Google's reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Google Maps vs. EZRoutePlanner: Feature Comparison

How to Plan a Multi-Stop Route with EZRoutePlanner (Then Navigate with Google Maps)

Here's the recommended workflow for delivery drivers and professionals:

1. Go to EZRoutePlanner and paste your list of addresses, or import from a spreadsheet.
2. Review geocoded locations on the map to ensure addresses are correct.
3. Click Optimize to calculate the most efficient route order.
4. Make any manual adjustments if needed (lock certain stops in position, change start/end points).
5. Export to Google Maps with one click. Open the link on your phone and start navigating.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stops can you add to Google Maps?

Google Maps allows a maximum of 10 stops per route, including your starting point and final destination. This means you can have up to 9 intermediate stops between your start and end locations.

Does Google Maps optimize routes with multiple stops?

No, Google Maps does not optimize multi-stop routes. It simply connects your stops in the order you enter them. You must manually drag and drop to reorder stops, which is time-consuming and rarely results in the optimal route.

What's the best app for routes with more than 10 stops?

For routes with more than 10 stops, you need a dedicated route planner. EZRoutePlanner offers up to 30 stops free with automatic optimization. Other options include RouteXL (20 stops free) and MapQuest (26 stops, no optimization).

Can I save a multi-stop route in Google Maps?

Google Maps doesn't have a built-in feature to save and reload multi-stop routes. You can share a route link, but it's not persistent like saved places. For saving complex routes, consider using EZRoutePlanner with a free account, which lets you save and reload routes across devices.

How do I export an optimized route to Google Maps?

After optimizing your route in EZRoutePlanner, click the "Export to Google Maps" button. This generates a Google Maps link with all your stops in the optimized order. Open the link on your phone and you're ready to navigate.

The Bottom Line: Google Maps + Route Planner = Best Results

Google Maps is an excellent navigation tool, but it was never designed for complex multi-stop route planning. Its 10-stop limit, lack of optimization, and manual-only reordering make it frustrating for delivery drivers, sales reps, and service professionals.

The solution isn't to abandon Google Maps—it's to use a dedicated route planner for optimization, then export to Google Maps for navigation. This gives you the best of both worlds: intelligent route planning that saves you time and fuel, plus Google's reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Ready to plan smarter routes? Try EZRoutePlanner free and see how much time you can save on your next multi-stop route.