How to Masterfully Use Google Maps to Plan a Road Trip
So, you’ve got the travel bug, the snacks are packed (or will be), and your playlist is locked and loaded. Now comes the part that can either be super exciting… or super overwhelming: planning your route.
If the idea of piecing together a multi-stop road trip has you scribbling down random notes and bookmarking a hundred tabs, take a deep breath. We’re about to bring order to the chaos—and our best friend for the job is none other than Google Maps.
This post will walk you through how to use Google Maps to plan your road trip step-by-step, from saving must-see locations to creating organized lists and mapping out your route like a pro. Bonus? Once your map is set, you can access it from your phone or share it with your co-pilot (or the whole carful of kids). Let’s roll.
Table of Contents
Why Use Google Maps for Road Trip Planning?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about the why. Google Maps isn’t just for getting from point A to point B. It can be your travel guide, your food finder, your scenic route scout, and even your bathroom break planner (don’t underestimate this one with kids on board). Here’s what it offers:
Custom routes with multiple stops
Saved lists of locations (think: waterfalls, donut shops, quirky roadside attractions)
Reviews and photos for nearly every destination
Offline map access (key for remote areas)
Real-time traffic updates once you’re on the road
Step 1: Sign In to Your Google Account
You’ll need a Google account to save places and create custom maps. Most people already have one (Gmail counts!), but if you don’t, it’s free and only takes a minute to set up.
Once you’re signed in, head over to Google Maps on your desktop for the best planning experience.
Step 2: Start Searching and Saving Locations
Let’s say you’re planning a loop through the Pacific Northwest and want to stop at national parks, cool diners, and the world’s largest frying pan (yes, it’s a thing in Long Beach, WA).
Start by typing your destination in the search bar—like “Olympic National Park.”
Once the location pops up:
Click on it.
Hit the Save icon (a little ribbon).
Choose a list to save it to (more on this below), or create a new one like “PNW Road Trip Stops.”
You can save any type of location this way—restaurants, gas stations, museums, even places like “cool rock formations near Bend, OR.” (Seriously, try searching that.)
Step 3: Create Custom Lists to Stay Organized
Now comes the real magic. You don’t want to just save 100 places to one giant list and sort through it later like a digital scavenger hunt. Organize your road trip dreams into themed lists.
Here’s how to create a list:
In Google Maps, click on the Menu (☰) on the top left.
Select Your Places > Saved.
Scroll down and click New List.
Name your list—like “Roadside Attractions,” “Kid-Friendly Stops,” “Best Eats,” or “Campgrounds.”
Choose public, shared, or private access (shared is great if you want to let your partner or teens add suggestions).
Add locations to this list as you go by clicking “Save” on each place and choosing the list.
💡 Pro Tip: Color-code your pins with emojis in the list title (like 🌮 for tacos, 🏕️ for campsites) to spot them easily later!
Since we’re on a quest to visit all 50 States, any time I stumble across a place that sounds interesting, I save it on Google Maps. That way, when I’m mapping out an itinerary, I can try to include it. We also want to take the kids to all of the National Park Sites, so I’ve saved all of them, as well.
Step 4: Build Your Route with Google My Maps (Optional but Awesome)
If you want to visualize your entire trip, step by step, and drop in your saved locations—Google My Maps is the tool for you.
Here’s how to use it:
Go to Google My Maps.
Click “Create a New Map.”
Use the search bar to add stops. Click “Add to Map” to drop a pin.
Use layers to separate types of stops (like Day 1, Day 2 or Parks vs. Restaurants).
Drag pins around to reorder stops and draw lines between destinations.
You can also add notes to each location (like “bathroom stop with playground” or “Lincoln’s must-see guitar shop”).
When you’re done, share the map with anyone joining the adventure—and open it on your phone during the trip for instant access.
Step 5: Use “Explore Nearby” to Fill in Gaps
Stuck with a long stretch of driving between stops? Google Maps’ Explore Nearby feature can help.
Just zoom in on your route and click the “Search this area” option. Then type in what you’re looking for, like:
“Playgrounds”
“Coffee with drive-thru”
“Nature trails”
“Weird roadside attractions” (you’d be surprised!)
You’ll get real-time suggestions with ratings, photos, hours, and directions—all just a tap away.
Step 6: Download Your Maps for Offline Use
We’ve all been there—cruising through a mountain pass or middle-of-nowhere backroad with no signal. That’s where offline maps save the day.
Before you hit the road:
Open Google Maps on your phone.
Tap your profile photo > Offline Maps > Select Your Own Map.
Zoom in and select the area you want.
Tap Download.
Boom! No Wi-Fi? No problem.
Have a kid who likes to track your progress? Or are you super anal and like to have all of your plans printed out so that you can review them in your hotel room each night? (Pssst….I’m talking about me here!) Copy and paste your maps into Canva and create a day-by-day itinerary.
This page of our Mason-Dixon Road Trip is a little cluttered, but it includes an outline of how we spent our day, hours of operation, a map with our route and drive time, parking information, info for Metro stops, and a walking map of the National Mall. The Maps and Metro info were all pulled directly from Google Maps.
Step 7: Add Fuel, Food, and Fun Along the Way
Once you’ve got your major stops in place, layer in the extras. Try searching for:
Gas stations (filter by brand or reviews if you’re picky)
Rest stops
Local eats (search “diners near me” for the full road trip vibe)
Parks or trails to stretch your legs
Save anything that looks good to your lists so you don’t forget them when it’s mile 432 and someone really needs a donut.
Through playing around with the restaurants feature, I found one of my kids favorite YouTubers owns a restaurant that we were able to add to our itinerary. I also found breweries in Iceland, a bangin’ pizza place in West Virginia, killer donuts in Orlando, and many more!
Bonus: Use the “Send to Phone” Feature
For any location you’re viewing on desktop, just click “Send to Your Phone” and Google Maps will push it to your app. It’s perfect for planning on your laptop and navigating from your phone later.
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Final Thoughts
Road trips are all about the unexpected detours, the unforgettable views, and yes—even the snack fights. But having a solid plan in your back pocket (or your phone) makes the adventure a whole lot smoother.
With Google Maps, you can keep everything from bucket list stops to bathroom breaks organized, visible, and easily shared. No more frantically trying to remember that cute pie place your friend told you about—save it once and let Google do the remembering.
So go on—start pinning, list-making, and dreaming up your next great family escape. And remember: the journey is the destination (but good directions definitely help).
Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit
🎶 Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?
Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!
🎒 Includes:
Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure
For future reference, be sure to save our post “Mastering Google Maps for the Ultimate Road Trip Plan!”! While you’re at it, take a look at our printable children’s travel journals; they are the perfect way to keep your kiddos entertained in the car. Read about how you can start your own 50 State Challenge! Pin one of the images below to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow 5 Suitcases on Pinterest while you’re at it!
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