How to use Google My Maps to plan your trip

How to set up, share and use Google’s customized map view

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Whether you’re planning a holiday or a day trip, having the ability to plan your trip with more granularity is a real boon, so it’s worth learning how to useGoogleMy Maps to help you get organized.

Google Mapsis undoubtedly one of the best wayfinding software available, but there are some features Google likes to split off into separate services.

One such example is the ability to customize your maps, which is currently housed underGoogle My Maps, allowing you to plan custom routes, set multiple markers, and add details like notes, colored labels, and more.

For example, the map above shows a map of some of the most popular destinations in Paris, with added detail in the form of summaries and different layers for different types of locations.

Below, we’ve included instructions on how to do a basic set-up, as well as some optional steps to really make your map sing.

Steps for how to use Google My Maps

Tools and requirements

Step by step guide for how to use Google My Maps

1. Head to Google My Maps and create a map

First,openGoogle My Mapsandsign into your Google account. In the top left hand corner of the screen, you’ll see a button titled “Create a new pin".Click this, then name your map byclicking the map title fieldin the index on the left side of the screen.

2. Add pins for your destinations

Next, you’ll want toadd pins for the destinationson your map. You can do this either byusing the search baras you would on the standard Google Maps, or bypressing the pin logo,which will change your mouse into a crosshair and allow you tomanually place your destination.

3. Label and describe the destinations

A box will appear, in which you cantype your own label for the location(or use whatever comes up in the text box search, if you used that method),add a short descriptionor any notes, and evenadd media to the location.

This media can either be uploaded from your device, from a URL, from your Google Drive, from Google Image search results, or from YouTube.

4. (Optional) Add lines or directions

If you’re traveling by foot, car or by bike, you canpress the three circles connected by dotsbelow the search bar (pictured above) todraw lines or directions between your destinations. You can choose totype the destinationsdirectly into the index on the left side of the page or simplyclick on existing pins to connect them.

5. (Optional) Customize your map

There are lots of ways to make your map bright, colorful, and detailed.

Byclicking the paint can iconon a pin or in the index bar next to the pin’s name in the index, you canchange the pin color or icon.

Byclicking the dropdown menu titled ‘Base map’at the bottom of the index, you canchange the topography of your map.

You can also separate your pins out into layers byclicking ‘add layer’,allowing you tocheck or uncheck the visibility of given layersand separate destinations by any filter you might need; what day of the trip you’ll be visiting, what kind of location they are, etc.

6. (Optional) Share and/or publish your map

When your map is ready, you can eithershare itwith your families or travel buddies, or you canpublish it onlinefor your blog, social media, or project.

Clicking sharewill bring up a window with the sharing options, allowing you to toggle your map’s visibility, searchability, and if your details are attached to the map, as well as its share link and an option to share on drive.

To see what it will look like to non-collaborators,click the preview button.

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Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is TechRadar’s Managing Editor - Lifestyle. Josephine is an award-winning journalist (PPA 30 under 30 2024), having previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management. She is a smart home nerd, champion of TechRadar’s sustainability efforts as well and an advocate for internet safety and education. She has used her position to fight for progressive approaches towards diversity and inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity in corporate settings. Generally, you’ll find her fiddling with her smart home setup, watching Disney movies, playing on her Switch, or rewatching the extended edition of Lord of the Rings… again.

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