Google Maps: The Ultimate Tool for Planning Epic Road Trips

I love a good road trip! When I’m deciding or just daydreaming about where I want to go, Google Maps is my number one tool.  Google Maps is your indispensable travel companion, offering more than just directions. It’s a powerhouse of features designed to make your road trip planning seamless, fun, and tailored to your unique travel desires. Let’s dive into how you can leverage Google Maps to plot out an unforgettable journey.

Start with the Basics: Route Planning

Begin your adventure on Google Maps by inputting your starting point and destination. This gives you a rough idea of the journey ahead. For this post, let’s try planning a trip from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Los Angeles. I may actually take this trip later this year. You start by entering the end point and selecting the blue arrow for DIRECTIONS.

This is where the magic happens.

Google Maps starts with the most direct, quickest route to get there, but the best part of road trips lies in the detours and unexpected discoveries. Use the “+” button at the bottom, where it says ADD DESTINATION to add stops and explore different routes. Google Maps allows you to drag and drop parts of your route to bypass major highways in favor of scenic byways or to include must-see landmarks along the way.

Let’s say we want to stop in Seattle. I add the location and then move it up to stop there on the way to Los Angeles.

Keep adding locations to create a round-trip plan.

Discover Hidden Gems

One of Google Maps’ standout features is its vast database of places of interest, from the cozy café off the beaten path to breathtaking natural wonders. By toggling the “Explore” feature on the bottom left-hand corner, you can uncover attractions, eateries, and unique spots that you might otherwise miss. Reading through reviews and viewing photos uploaded by other travelers gives you a taste of what to expect and helps refine your itinerary. This is where I start playing around with what we want to see and do along the way.

When you select EXPLORE it shows you things to see along the way which you can add to your itinerary.

Optimize Your Route

Efficiency is key on a road trip, and Google Maps excels at offering the most efficient routes. However, the path less traveled often holds the most treasures. Balance efficiency with exploration by adjusting your route settings to avoid tolls and highways. This not only saves money but also exposes you to the picturesque landscapes and charming towns that freeways bypass. Google Maps also has options for public transit, walking and biking, which is very useful when you are in locations and don’t want to drive.

Save and Share Your Itinerary

Google Maps allows you to create custom maps through its “My Maps” feature. This is invaluable for planning, as you can pin specific locations, plot routes, and add notes or links to each pin. Share your map with your travel companions so everyone can contribute ideas and stay on the same page. It’s also a fantastic way to keep memories of your journey organized in one place.

Stay Flexible with Real-time Updates

Road conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Google Maps provides real-time traffic updates, alerts for road closures, and alternative routes to help you avoid delays. This real-time information ensures you’re not caught off guard and can adjust your plans on the fly, keeping your adventure smooth and enjoyable. Roaming charges with my cell service is expensive. I use Airalo esim for internet access when I travel. This works well for maintaining connection with Google Maps while driving.

Don’t Miss a Beat with Offline Maps

Internet connectivity can be hit or miss, especially in remote areas. Downloading offline maps is a game-changer, ensuring you have access to your routes, directions, and saved places without needing a data connection. This feature not only keeps you on track but also saves on data usage and battery life. There is an option to send to your phone, above the directions on the left.

The Next Step: Planning Where to Stay

Once you have your locations selected, Google Maps conveniently provides suggestions on where to stay with this search bar at the top of the map.

Once you select hotels, you can zoom in to a specific place, add the dates and number of people to search for a hotel.

I use this as a starting point to figure out approximate pricing. Then I go to a site like Booking.com to search for hotel and apartment or house options.

Embrace the Journey

Road trips are about the journey, as much as they are about the destination. I love road tripping in the US because there are so many places to stop and explore. Canada is beautiful but it is so spread out that you spend most of the trip driving; whereas, in the US you can stop at different places and see such a variety of things. On one trip you can see mountains, lakes, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, the ocean, the redwoods, and sand dunes. Google Maps is there to ensure you make the most of every mile, but it’s the unexpected adventures, the detours, and the stories you’ll tell that truly make the trip memorable.

Conclusion

Google Maps is more than just a navigation tool; it’s your personalized guide to discovering the joy of the open road. By leveraging its comprehensive features, you can plan a road trip that’s not just a journey from point A to B, but a mosaic of experiences, sights, and memories waiting to be cherished. So buckle up, start planning with Google Maps, and let the road be your canvas for adventure.

Are you planning a road trip this year or do you have a road trip on your bucket list? Alaska is a road trip I’d love to do at some point.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Off-the-Beaten Path Travel: Planning a Unique Adventure

Image
Travelling to see the popular tourist attractions and experiences makes for a great trip and a shared experience, but it is also exhilarating to find the lesser known, off-the-beaten path, locations. When trip planning, I aim for the highlights and something off-the-beaten path. I loved going to the temples at Angkor Watt, touring the Tower of London and Stonehenge, and experiencing Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. I also enjoyed staying on a small island in Ireland, hanging out with monkeys in the wild in Kyoto, and spending a day at a quiet beach in Australia. Wild monkeys in Kyoto Get ready to step off the beaten path and adventure into the quieter world of travel. Resources in this Post Trip Advisor Google Maps Atlas Obscura Road Trippers Booking VRBO Airalo Google Translate Reef safe sunscreen All Trails Go Paddling Alternative Sites On road trips, we are almost famous for the fun, obscure things we do. While doing some research for a stop in Roswell, New Mexico, I was reading the thing...
Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Essential Apps for Trip Planning and Travel

I have been traveling for over 30 years and, just like most aspects of our lives, the internet has really changed things. The internet, wifi, and smartphones have definitely changed trip planning for the better. Travel Before the Internet Before we had access to reviews and all this information, I booked a day trip from Malaga, Spain to Tangiers, Morocco. How can you resist the opportunity to get a glimpse at Morocco when you’re on a trip to Spain! While it was still an experience, it is one of those things you laugh about for years because the tour was being taken from store to store, to sit there for a presentation and then they try to sell you everything from cream to carpets. At lunch someone asked what meat was on the skewers and the response was, “It’s meat. Just eat it.” We still have no idea what we ate but the mint tea was delicious. Today, I’m able to research activities and tours to avoid these tourist traps. On a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, thanks to the people who take th...
Read more

Travel Gift Guide: Practical Presents for Vacation Lovers

Finding the perfect gift for someone who loves to travel can feel like searching for a hidden gem in a tourist shop. Sure, you could go for another passport holder or luggage tag, but what about something they’ll genuinely use and appreciate on their next adventure? As someone who’s learned many travel lessons the hard way (like that time I blew up my hair straightener in Thailand), I understand what really matters when you’re on the road. This guide focuses on practical, tested items that I’ve personally used during my travels across multiple countries and continents. No aspirational luxury items or gimmicky gadgets here – just reliable gear that makes traveling easier and more enjoyable. From a game-changing eSIM that saved me hundreds in roaming fees while exploring Ireland, to the full-face snorkel mask that made swimming with tropical fish in Fiji feel like floating in an aquarium. Whether you’re shopping for a weekend road tripper, a beach enthusiast,...
Read more