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You may want to search for the driving distance instead. Or if you're thinking about flying, make sure you compare flight times between airports. For a long road trip, check the cost calculator to see if it's within your budget.

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Travel your first and last mile with Google Maps

Aug 27, 2019

[[read-time]] min read

Google Maps has always helped you get from place to place, whether you’re driving, walking, biking or taking public transit. And we know that transit journeys can be complex–often involving multiple modes of transportation to help you get around town. Today, we’re making it easy to pair transit directions with biking and ridesharing options so you can travel that first or last mile with ease. 

Say you’re taking the subway home from a friend’s house, but your apartment is a bit too far from the station to get to on foot. Catching a ridesharing vehicle can help you travel that short distance quickly. Or, you’re headed to work at the peak of the busy back-to-school season so you need to ride your bike to the nearest bus stop to make that important 9 a.m. meeting on time. 

Here’s how it works:

Enter your destination in the search box, tap on “Directions” and then on the transit tab. From there, you’ll automatically see routes that feature ridesharing and cycling options paired with transit directions. If you’re taking a ridesharing vehicle, you’ll see helpful information about each leg of your trip: how much your ride will cost, how long the wait is, if there’s traffic on your ride, and when your bus or train departs. You can also choose your favorite rideshare provider and other available ride options like pool or economy. 

If you’re biking, then you’ll see routes tailored for cyclists along with everything you need to know about the transit portion of your journey. All of this information is automatically factored into your total travel time and ETA so you can know exactly when you’ll get to your destination. 

Transit directions paired with biking and ridesharing will start rolling out in the coming weeks on Android and iOS in 30 countries around the globe, with more coming soon.

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With Uber Pro Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, you can get access to a special Driver app feature that allows you to see the trip duration and direction before you decide to accept any trip request. Balancing the marketplace is important so Gold, Platinum and Diamond driver-partners will need to keep an acceptance rate of 85% or above if they would like to see these extra trip details.

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How To : See What Traffic Will Be Like at a Specific Time with Google Maps

As intuitive as Google Maps is for finding the best routes, it never let you choose departure and arrival times in the mobile app. This feature has long been available on the desktop site, allowing you to see what traffic should be like at a certain time and how long your drive would take at a point in the future. Fortunately, Google has finally added this feature to the app for iPhone and Android.

To try this out, you'll need to update your Google Maps app, which you can do with the links below. When you do, you'll be able to plan ahead by choosing arrival and/or departure times, which is ideal for seeing when you'll need to leave if you want to get to your destination by a specific time.

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Setting Departure or Arrival Times

Scheduling a trip based on either when you'd like to leave for, or arrive to a desired location couldn't be easier with Google maps — simply input your destination as you normally would within the the search field along the top of the screen. Tap on "Directions" after doing so to yield available routes.

Afterward, choose the best route a from the selections given. From there, tap on the three-dot menu button on the upper-right and hit "Set depart & arrive time" (Android) or "Set a reminder to leave" (iOS) from the prompt.

Now, either set the time and date you want to "Depart At" on the time table given, or tap on the "Arrive By" tab on the upper-right and adjust the time and date the same way if you want to arrive by a certain time. Hit "Set" once you're done, and Google Maps will yield average travel times for the route, along with either an ETA if you picked the former, or a suggested time for departure if you chose the latter.

As handy as this new feature is, it's worth noting that it does have some limitations. Google Maps currently won't alert you via a notification if you set a departure time. Besides that, traffic conditions aren't updated in real-time, so arrival times can vary, and drastically change due to unforeseen events like traffic accidents and sudden weather downturns.

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How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Trip (Ultimate Guide)

Note: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you. More details are  here .

I love a good map. I’ve got maps hanging on my walls. I go to the bookstore to read maps. Whenever I navigate my way home using only a map, I feel like I must have some innate bushcraft skills. And if you’ve read my posts about traveling in Maine , you’re probably sick of me talking about the DeLorme Atlas by now.

But while reading paper maps will always inspire a sense of get-up-and-go adventure for me, I’m not totally opposed to using tech for planning my trips and navigating on the ground.

And one of my favorite techy solutions? A secret little trip planner called Google My Maps, buried inside of everyone’s favorite map tool.

Google My Maps lets you create shareable custom maps with multiple layers, plus location pins with icons and notes. It’s a great way to brainstorm travel plans or create a trip itinerary from a desktop. And since the map can be viewed in the Google Maps app, you can use it to navigate on the go. 

To give you an example of what this post will show you how to do, here’s one of the custom Google Maps I’ve created for a trip.

Keep reading for an overview of how to use Google My Maps to plan a trip, plus a video tutorial of how to set it up—all updated in 2023. I’ll also share answers to commonly asked questions and some lesser known tips to help you get the most out of this tool. 

A quick note: Creating a custom map in Google My Maps is distinct from Google Lists of saved places. Check out our Google My Maps vs Lists comparison to see all the differences and our full guide to using Google Maps Lists .

8 Top Google My Maps Features

(AKA Why It’s Awesome)

Google My Maps allows you to see your trip itinerary. 

This is so helpful, especially if you’re a visual person or enjoy using maps. But even if you’re not, it’s still really useful to see where everything is in relation to each other as you plan your trip, vacation, or holiday because it helps you be realistic about your plans.

It connects with other Google apps. 

Setting aside my (ahem, very rational) fear that they may take over the world soon, I love all things Google. My Maps stores a copy of the map in whatever Google Drive account you’re using. (Am I the only one who has six of these?) So if you like to create Google Docs or folders to store trip planning information, documents, photos, or itineraries, it’s nice to have your map easily accessible in the same folder.

You get additional location information since it’s part of Google Maps. 

If a location is on Google, you can see their website, phone number, address, reviews, and website when you add it to your custom map. (Note that you can’t see this information when clicking on your saved pin from the Google Maps app, but you can from desktop.)

You can add your own extra notes and photos.

Customize your map even more by adding notes, photos, or videos. Use the notes during planning to add website, hours, or tips. If I hear about the location from a particular website, I usually add that link and what was noted in the article about the location (e.g., it’s a great sunset spot, which dish on the menu is recommended) so I can reference it later.

You can view your route by creating a layer with directions. 

When I traveled to Burlington, Vermont, I wanted to see the length of the bike trail on the map, so I used the directions feature to show the whole route. (Check out the Burlington travel guide for an example of the travel map I created that includes the bike path route.) And while I haven’t done this yet, you could also use Google My Maps to plan a road trip itinerary for a longer adventure. 

Caveat: As I’ll discuss later, you can’t use directions layers to get turn-by-turn directions (but I mention an alternative below). For this reason, I only use these layers to visualize my route.

It’s highly customizable. 

Don’t mind me while I swoon over the color coding and organization options over here. Use custom icons, layers, and colors so it’s easy to see what things are at a glance. For example, you can give different locations individual styles: a coffee cup icon for cafes, a bed icon for hotels, and a swimming icon for beaches. You can also use layers in many different ways, such as one layer for each day of your trip or one layer for each category (like dining, lodging, and things to do).

In-depth planning on your computer. Easy, on-the-go access from your phone. 

While you can’t edit the maps from the Google Maps app on iPhone or Android, you (and anyone you’ve shared them with) can view them. You can click on icons and see your notes, as well as navigate to those locations. 

Note that there used to be a dedicated My Maps app on Android, but this has been deprecated. 

It’s easy to share it with a friend or with the world. 

If you’re planning a trip with other people, it’s easy to share the map with others . And if it’s something you want to make available to everyone (like I do on my travel guide posts), just change the privacy setting and share the link or embed it on a website.

3 Ways to Use Google My Maps

Brainstorm and store ideas for future “maybe” trips. 

I often come across a really interesting hotel, restaurant, or fun thing to do in destinations I want to travel to in the future, and I want to make sure I don’t forget about them. I have so many bookmarks in so many places (Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram), but Google My Maps is the place I’ve started storing ideas for future trips.

Plan your trip itinerary. 

Want to use Google Maps for route planning? When you’re ready to plan an upcoming trip, plot it out visually by using Google My Maps to create your itinerary. If you like structured itineraries, you can easily create a detailed day-to-day plan. 

Or, you can use a looser itinerary structure like we usually do by adding all the places you might like to go. 

For example, on a day trip to NYC, we added tons of places to eat on the map (thank you, Tiktok). As we were walking around doing other activities and started to get hungry, we were able to easily see which saved restaurants were closest to us. 

Navigate on the go.

Whether you’re using your map loosely for ideas or for a structured itinerary, you can pull it up on your phone anytime and get directions to your next location. 

Not sure what you want to do today, or want to see what the closest restaurant from your list is for dinner? Pop into your custom map to jog your memory from the notes you made or to get directions to your next location.

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How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Trip

How to create a new custom map.

Go to Google My Maps from your desktop browser . Check the Google icon in the top right corner to make sure you’re using the Google account you want to. Click “Create A New Map” and a window will open with a blank map. To give your map a name and description , click the map name (“Untitled Map”).

You can also change the color and style of the base map if desired. At the bottom of the layer panel on the left, click the arrow next to “Base Map.” You’ll get a window with nine options, including terrain, light political (a very light version of the standard Google Maps), satellite, and some different colored versions. Note that changing the base map style on desktop won’t change anything when viewing on mobile in Google Maps.

How to Add and Edit Layers

When you create a new map, the first layer will already be created, so you’ll probably want to rename it. To give your first layer a title , click directly on the title name like you did with the map name, or click the 3 dots next to “Untitled Layer” and then click “Rename Layer.” Clicking these 3 dots next to a layer title is also how you can delete a layer if you add one accidentally or change your mind. In this example, I’m changing my first layer to “dining” and will add all restaurants to this layer.

You can use layers any way you want to, or simply stick to one layer if you don’t need multiple. To add new layers , simply click “Add Layer” in the gray section below the map title and description.

To move a pin between layers , click the pin on the layer and hold down the mouse, and then drag it to the desired layer.

How to Add Location Pins

There are various ways to add location pins to a layer. First, make sure the correct layer is chosen by clicking anywhere in the white area on the layer. You’ll see which layer is selected by looking for the blue bar on the left of the layer.

• In the map search bar, type either a place name or an address. Click “Add to Map” to add a pin for this location . This is how I add most pins.
• If you don’t need an exact location or don’t have an address , you can click the pin marker button below the map search bar (“Add Marker”). It will turn your mouse into a T and you can click anywhere on the map to add a blank pin. You’ll immediately be prompted to add the pin title and description.
• If you’re dealing with very remote locations (or you just like geeky map stuff), you can also use latitude and longitude coordinates in the search bar.

To delete a pin , simply click on it and click the trash icon.

A few tips and best practices for adding pins:

• If the place you’re searching for does not have a listing on Google, you’ll have to use an address. One thing to note is that sometimes Google Maps listings aren’t correct or don’t take you to the right place, so you may want to double check the location if you’re not using a street address to add the pin (especially if it’s a small business without a website).
• I have also found that hiking trail heads are frequently on Google Maps, but they’re not always correct in terms of navigating there by car. I usually add them to my map to get a basic idea of where they are while planning, but I use a paper map or atlas to find them while traveling.

How to Customize Location Pins

To change the title and add notes to your listing, click on the pin on the map, and then click the pencil icon (“Edit”).

To change the color and icon of the pin , click the paint bucket icon (from the pin itself or directly in the layer). Click “More Icons” to view all the icon options. You can color code by type of activity, by layer, or any way that makes sense to you.

To add photos or videos to a pin , click on the pin on the map, and then click the camera icon (“Add Image or Video”). This is another way to make your map interactive, especially after you’ve visited a location and want to share it with others.

How to Add A Directions Layer

I find that directions layers are helpful for showing the route of a walking tour, bike path, or road trip you want to take, but I don’t find them useful for directions while traveling since I can simply use the maps app to navigate. 

I use directions layers whenever I want to show an entire route on a map , rather than a specific location. Think of this as the 2024 version of mapping out a trip with AAA paper maps and a highlighter (if you’re old enough to remember).

Click the arrow icon underneath the search bar, which will create a new directions layer. On the legend, click “Driving” if you want to change this to walking or biking directions. Add a location name or address to Points A and B in the legend. If you find that the pins are not exactly where they should be, you can drag the points on the map.

Continue adding points by clicking “Add Destination” on the map. You can either type the information into the legend or hover your mouse to a spot on the map and double click it. (This is especially useful if you’re tracing a route on something like a bike path or hiking trail that won’t have an address.)

Rearrange the order by dragging the items around in the legend. Just like altering directions on Google Maps navigation, you can click on part of the route and drag it to a different road if you want to change part of the route after it is complete.

If you need to access the directions so you can see the distance of your route or the time it will take, click the three dots on the layer and click “Step-by-Step Directions.” Note that you can’t actually use this to get turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.

How to Share A Google My Map

There are several options for sharing your Google Maps trip plan.

Open up your map, then click the share button in the gray bar above your layers. To allow others to view your map (which includes embedding on your website), click “change” under the section “Who has access.” For embedding, you will need to make this setting public.

Otherwise, if you want to allow others to edit your map, add their email address in the “invite people” section.

How to View Your Custom Map in Google Maps (iPhone or Android)

Open Google Maps and go to the Saved icon at the bottom. Scroll to the bottom of this screen and click “Maps.” Choose the My Map you want to view. The layers with your custom icons will now be visible on your Google Map. You can click on any pin to view your details (such as description or photos), as well as to navigate there. 

To close a map, click on a pin and then click “View Map Legend.” There, you can click the Close icon.

From the Map Legend, you can also toggle layers on and off, and then backing out to the main map (don’t click Close—just the back arrow or back button).

How to Navigate with a Custom My Map (iPhone or Android)

To navigate to one of your pins, open your map, find the pin for where you want to go, click it, and then click “directions.” When you do this, you won’t see your custom map anymore but will be looking at the regular navigation of Google Maps.

You can’t use a My Maps “directions layer” for navigation. If you’re looking for that functionality, I recommend just creating a route in Google Maps and sending it to your phone (or sharing with others). See here for more details. 

How to Import Locations from Google Sheets, CSV, or Excel

Importing locations to a My Maps layer can be helpful in a few scenarios:

• You have a significant amount of locations to add to your layer
• Your data is already in the form of a spreadsheet
• You want additional fields included besides the default Name and Description
• You want to create groupings of pins (for example, a list of 50 restaurants could have a column for “Cuisine,” which will give you the option to group and style the pins by cuisine)

The process is simple, and you can import a variety of file types, including CSV, Excel (XLSX), or directly from Google Sheets. There are also special file formats that import map data from other programs, but this section is focused on spreadsheet-type files that you create and format.

Create a spreadsheet with the desired column headers. At a minimum, you need place names and either addresses or latitude-longitude information . 

If you want to group your pins by some type of categorization, you should include that as a column. Other columns you could include: website, phone number, description, or notes. While Google Sheets allows you to include photos in a cell, Google My Maps will not import photos in this way (it will include the column as a field, but will be blank). 

Once your spreadsheet file is ready, click “Import” on a blank layer (if your map already has layers, you will need to add a new layer to see this option). If uploading a CSV or XLSX, do this from the Upload tab. If using a Google Sheet, click the Google Drive tab and choose your file. 

Choose which column has location data (address or latitude-longitude) and click “Continue.” Choose the location name column next and click “Finish.” 

To change the icons individually, click “Uniform Style” next to the paintbrush on your layer. Under “Group Places By,” choose “Individual Styles.”

To change styles by a category column (such as Cuisine), click the link next to the paintbrush and choose to group places by the desired column. You can then give each category its own color or icon.

You can manually add new pins to this layer, and they will include all the fields you imported from the spreadsheet columns. 

You can also add more items to your spreadsheet, and import this new data. Click the three dots on your layer. Under “Reimport and Merge,” click “Add More Items” and choose your file. It will add the new rows to your layer.

How to Import a Route from Google Maps Timeline History (KML) or GPS Data From a Fitness App (GPX)

Google My Maps can import routes and locations you’ve already traveled to via special file types that are very easy to download from certain apps. This could be useful if you want to share a walking, biking, or driving route that you’ve taken without having to recreate it on a directions layer. 

Note that this only works as well as the GPS satellites were able to track your location while you were traveling.

If there are a lot of clouds, dense forest, buildings, or anything else blocking the GPS signal, your tracked route will be much less precise. I’ve noticed that Google Maps sometimes has my route showing somewhere I couldn’t have walked or driven. 

If you have your location history turned on in Google Maps, you can download a KML file from a trip, which will include the route traveled and location pins for any stops. Sometimes it misses a location name or adds a pin in the wrong place, but overall it’s pretty good.

Go to your Google Maps Timeline and locate the day you want to export. Click on it, and you should now see your route highlighted along with any stops you made. Now click the gear icon on the bottom of your map, and click “Export this day to KML.” Go to your My Map and on a new layer, click “Import.” Choose the KML file you just downloaded. You can now edit each portion as needed—changing the color and thickness of the route line, changing the location icons, as well as adjusting the route where desired.

If you have other apps that track your location, such as fitness apps, you may be able to download a GPX file that shows the route you took. The instructions for doing this will vary from app to app, but I was able to easily find it in Samsung Health by looking at the detail of a particular workout/walk and clicking the three dots to download a GPX. The import process to Google My Maps is the same as above.

With both methods, you can make adjustments to points/stops along the way or even add more pins. With the Google Maps KML file, you can also adjust your route by moving the small white dots.

Google My Maps Tutorial

Here’s a walk through video to show you how to use Google Maps to plan a trip, along with several of my own Google My Maps itinerary examples. Coming soon: a 2024 update!

Google My Maps Examples

Here are a few more examples of My Maps I’ve created for sharing recommendations, trip ideas, and actual vacation planning.

Google My Maps FAQs and Tips

As great as Google My Maps is for planning a trip, there are some limitations to using it. Lots of questions have also come up about more specific uses and ways to use its features. Thanks to all the readers who have asked or shared tips in the comments as I’m always looking to make this a more robust guide. I’ve organized the questions and tips here since it makes it easier than scrolling through the comments.

How many layers can you add to a map?

Google My Maps limits you to 10 layers. If you are planning a longer road trip and want to create a layer for each day, this limitation may prove frustrating. 

Here are a couple of workaround ideas: You can create 2 maps, and have the entire master route as 1 layer on each (showing the very basic route for all 12 days—say from city to city) as a reference. Then build individual layers for each day. As a second option, you could add multiple days to 1 layer and change the titles to start with the day they correspond to (so it would be “1 – Name of Place” instead of just “Name of Place.”) However, this option may not be ideal since you can’t see the titles until you click when you’re on the phone.

How many location pins can you add to each layer?

You can add up to 2,000 pins per layer, and the entire map cannot exceed 10,000 lines, shapes, or places total. I haven’t tested the limits, and it’s possible adding this amount of items could slow things down. My guess is that most travelers wouldn’t need anything so large, but it is possible according to Google . 

Are custom Google My Maps available offline?

No, but keep reading for a workaround and alternative. 

One of the biggest complaints about Google My Maps is that you can’t download your custom map and pins to use offline, unlike the rest of Google Maps. 

However, I have been able to use it in areas with spotty reception. I pulled the map up when I did have reception, and I left it running in the background. It would stay loaded in the app and I was able to pull it up to look at it later when I was out of reception. I’m not sure I would rely on this as a surefire workaround, but it can work in a pinch.

Another alternative, especially if you’ll be traveling in another country where you’ll be completely offline, is to use Google Maps Lists, which can be edited from desktop or your phone but don’t offer the option for separate layers, unique icons, or adding photos. 

Is there an app for Google My Maps?

There is no separate Google My Maps app, but you can view your maps within Google Maps. Just make sure you’re signed into the same account, and all your maps will sync. 

(There used to be a dedicated My Maps app on Android, but this was deprecated in 2021.)

Can you create or edit maps from your phone?

No, the maps cannot be edited from the Google Maps app. Google My Maps can only be created or edited from the desktop version of the site. This is another huge advantage Google Lists has over Google My Maps because Lists allow you to add new places or entire lists from any device—iPhone, Android, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Is there a bridge height filter?

No. For RVers and others who need to plan ahead for height limitations, there is no bridge height filter available in Google Maps. Since I haven’t had to use this feature myself, I am not confident in an alternative to recommend. However, from a bit of digging around, there are some apps and GPS units for truckers that may be a good place to start looking if you have an oversize vehicle.

What is the difference between Google Maps Lists and Google My Maps?

They both allow you to create custom maps with pins, but there are some key differences, such as offline access, layer capabilities, customizable pins, and creating/editing within the app. Check out the details on how Google My Maps compares to Lists (including a features comparison table).

How many stops can you add on a directions layer?

You can only add 10 stops per directions layer. This is also the maximum number of stops you can add for navigation in Google Maps. As some readers have pointed out, this can be limiting when you want to use this feature for a long road trip.

Can you use the directions layers on your phone for navigation purposes?

No, you cannot create a directions layer and then access those turn-by-turn directions for navigation in the Google Maps app. 

So…are directions layers totally useless? What’s the point of having a Driving Directions layer in My Maps?

Personally, I still like to use these layers, but only to show a route for my very visual brain, rather than to actually create custom directions. 

Can you send a custom created route (layer) to someone else so that the other person will take that specific driving route on google maps?

No, you can’t do this from My Maps, but there’s a workaround I can suggest.

Forget My Maps, and use Google Maps from desktop or mobile to plot a route. You can add up to 10 stops, and then you will be able to share your custom directions. 

From desktop, there’s an extra step in first sending the directions to your phone. If you’ve created the directions in the mobile app or once you have them pulled up there, you can share them with anyone by clicking the 3 dots next to your list of locations (sharing must be done before clicking “Start”—if you’re already in the navigation, you need to back out of it to share). When you share, it will list all the steps as well as send a link for the other person to open the directions in Google Maps directly. 

An important caveat to sharing custom routes: Google Maps will reroute the directions as it normally does according to current traffic at the time of driving, so this method cannot be relied upon if you’ve mapped a specific route for bridge clearances. As a workaround, you can add “stops” on the desired interstate (zoom in and add this literally on the road itself so navigation doesn’t try to take you off an exit), which will force Google Maps to take the driver that way. This is what I do when driving south from Connecticut to PA because Google Maps always wants me to take its beloved George Washington Bridge and I always don’t want to. I add a stop to force my route across the Tappan Zee Bridge. However, I’m not sure I would rely on this workaround as a sole method for RVs or truckers.

Can you see how much time the directions will take?

Yes, on desktop you can view the details if you want to know the distance or how long a route will take. To view distance and time for a directions layer, click the 3 dots on the laye, then click Step-by-Step Directions. 

Of course, this doesn’t really help when you want to get this information on your phone or use the directions for navigation. As mentioned elsewhere, the “directions” layer functions best as a way to visualize a route. If you need turn-by-turn directions, see the steps mentioned above to save and send directions in Google Maps. 

This post was originally published on July 27, 2017 and has been updated in May 2023.

Travel Photographer | FAA Certified Drone Pilot

Naomi is the coffee-loving, crazy-about-Latin-America writer and photographer behind everything here. She's guided by curiosity and a belief that every place has a story to tell–whether it’s through the intricate details of nature, history that has shaped a culture, or the people who call a place home. Learn More

How to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps + More Tips

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Wondering how to plan a road trip with Google Maps? You are at the right spot. In this post, we will be sharing a step-by-step guide to using Google Maps on your desktop and phone, plus other trip planning and itinerary tips. 

Note: These images/screenshots were taken from Google Maps and are used in this guide for illustrational purposes only.

Post Contents

How to Plan a Road trip with Google Maps

Travel planning can get overwhelming. There are so many tools, apps, and resources out there. Truth be told, you only need 1-3 applications for travel inspirations, plotting an itinerary, and keeping track of all these activities

Of all the resources we use, Google Maps is the most powerful. And in this guide, we are sharing our secrets to crafting that epic road trip or weekend trip itinerary, to make the most of your vacation. 

This post contains a tutorial and additional tips to planning your road trip. 

Decide where you want to go on a road trip

So, your first step is to make a bucket list of places you want to see or the route you wish to embark on for your road trip. It might be a tough choice deciding on where to go. For inspiration, you can check out our itineraries , or use Pinterest (our second trip planning tool).

What to see on your Road Trips?

A good way to narrow down on the road trips, depends on your travel style. When embarking on a road trip, we prefer mountains and pristine lakes, with small towns (for breaks and affordable accommodation), tons of small museums, and sightseeing. 

For you it could be a road trip through major cities, or outdoorsy activities – from camping, hiking to water sports. 

Once you know where you want to go plan it on Google Maps

Google Maps are an amazing tool to plan and plot your road trip itinerary. You can create the map on your Google account (on the desktop/laptop) and then view it on your phone. You will need wifi or cell connectivity to view it. 

To plot the itinerary, open Google Maps, then save your starting point. Use the ‘direction’ option to get from road A to B. Repeat these spots to keep adding all the places you want to visit on your road trip (more details below).

Also, add your hotel, any attractions you wish to visit inside a city or national park. When you click the location on your phone or computer, you will see the opening hours, reviews if any.

Step by Step Directions to using Google Maps to plan a road trip and more 

Step 1: log in to your google account, and create a new map for your road trip.

Your first step is to log in to your preferred Google email account, and then go to the MAPS option (on your desktop/laptop). You can find the MAPS option by clicking on the circle near the account name. 

Or you can use this link to login.

When you open the link (and you are signed into the Google Drive account or your Gmail), click on the ‘3 dashes’ on the left hand side. This will open a list of options on the left hand side, as you can see below. 

Choose ‘Your Places’, to open an ‘Untitled Map’ or brand new map. 

When I choose ‘Your Places’, it shows up my previous maps that I had created (both private and public maps I created). 

Next, choose ‘Create Map’. The image is that of a new map. You can see options like ‘Add Layer’, ‘Share’, ‘Preview’ and ‘layers’.

Now it is time to customize and rename the Map. We use Google Maps to plan and plot our itineraries. For the purposes of this itinerary, let’s name it a Canadian Rockies road trip .

We renamed the map and using the ‘search’ functionality we can start adding attractions, hotels, restaurants, anything and everything we want to cover (and keep track of) in the upcoming road trip. 

Step 2: Adding attractions, hotels and restaurants to the custom Google Map for the road trip

Continuing from Step 1, you can use the search bar to add attractions and sites that you are interested in adding to your itinerary. As I mentioned before, I use Pinterest, and other search and photo platforms for inspiration.

You can color code the attractions to keep them categorised. We categorise them based on 

• Attractions: They include photo spots, iconic landmarks, museums, parks, etc.
• Food & Restaurants: For fast-food chains, groceries, etc.
• Hotels & Accommodation: It includes where we are planning to book accommodation

To use the option to change the colors, do the following

• Search the destination/attraction/landmark
• Add it to the map
• Then click on the options below the address to change color or the icons 
• You will see it change on the left hand side, in real-time

In the above image, we have listed all the restaurants in Banff, color coded by breakfast, lunch and dining. 

You can do the same by different categories (food, hotel, attractions, to name a few). You can create as many as you can inside of the single map layer. However, on a single layer, it is better to stick to 5-15, so that you can see the spots properly without any issues.

This method is extremely useful when you are in the planning or inspiration stage and want to keep track of your road trip bucket list!

Step 3: Use a second layer in Google Maps for Directions

We use the second layer inside of Google Maps to add directions. On the desktop it is easy to see what and which attractions are located close to each other, allowing you to manage your time and drive efficiently. 

Based on your interests, you can narrow down the sightseeing to the chosen few, and add restaurants and hotels. Google Maps will automatically choose the best route possible on your phone, when you are road tripping.

Again, using Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary, we use 2 layers

• The first layer is sightseeing
• The second one is for the directions layer
• You can add directions from the option listed under the ‘search bar’

When you click the three dots, you can see the exact directions and time/duration for getting from Point A to B.

In the example above, to get from Banff Avenue to Banff Sightseeing Gondola, it will take 12 minutes.

Step 4: Save the Google Custom Map, and access that on your smartphone

Now we have created the directions, and saved the sightseeing spots on the desktop using Google Maps. 

In order to view the same on your smartphone, you must download the Google Maps app, and ensure you have wifi or cell phone data on, to access it. Once you have the Google Maps downloaded on your phone, search for the route you have created on the desktop.

• From Google Maps App, choose ‘SAVED’ (located at the bottom of the phone screen)
• Choose the preferred map. In this example, we choose Canadian Rockies 
• When you choose the map, you will find the 2 layers we created (sightseeing and directions)

Note that you do need internet connectivity to check these routes. 

You can also use Google Maps, as a GPS too (with or without cell connectivity).

For use as GPS, ensure you have GPS settings on, on your phone (Settings > Google Maps > Location > select “Always”) .

Step 5: Use of offline Maps

As far as offline Google maps go, you can download a city map for general directions. Just make sure you have offline maps enabled and save it ahead of your road trip, as sometimes cell tower connectivity in parks and country-side may not be that great. 

In order to access the custom Google map we created – offline, use a secondary application – Maps.me to view the map.

It is an app that you can download on your smartphone. Once you are in, you can create a map list, and export the ‘saved file’ to import all the sightseeing spots and directions, and download it.

You can also download full city maps, and share with others.

How to plan a road trip? Additional Tips

Here are additional tips and factors to consider when planning your upcoming road trip

When are you planning to travel for your road trip?

Whether it is a city bound road trip or a journey through our national/provincial parks, it is important to make note of the seasons. Countries that experience all four seasons, you must be wary of road conditions, route closures, operating hours of sightseeing attractions and businesses. 

We love road tripping in the fall and the winter season here in Canada.  

• Summer – Summers are a great time to embark on a road trip. You can easily break for walks or short hikes in the summer, and also go camping as the weather is favorable, and most campgrounds open. If you are hitting the popular national parks and cities, ensure you start early to beat the traffic rush.
• Winter – Driving in winters can be tricky. Make sure to listen to local news alerts and winter driving regulations prior to starting your road trip. Also add in additional travel time due to the road conditions, poor visibility, etc. on certain routes. 
• Spring and fall – Fall is our favorite time to visit as the weather is still warm, and attractions not too crowded. Late spring is amazing for road trips too. Finding accommodation in cities and small towns during this time will be easy (and fewer crowds). One thing to keep in mind is that during crossover months the weather can be very tricky. 

Accommodation: Hotels, RV, Campervan, Camping

When you are road tripping, there are tons of options for accommodation. We like to plan our trips in advance, so we book hotels, Airbnbs and reserve campsites prior to hitting the road. 

Here are some of the accommodation options, 

• Hotels & Lodges : Whether it is a country-side, city or national park, you can book a hotel, lodge, an Airbnb or a cabin for your accommodation. Book them ahead of time, especially during peak seasons. 
• RV & Campervan: One of the popular ways to explore national parks, or enjoy slow travel while road tripping is on a campervan or an RV. Almost every city will have an RV renting place, from where you can book an RV and save money on hotel accommodation. It is also a nicer alternative if you do not own a lot of camping gear.
• Camping: If you are planning to camp overnight, ensure you reserve camp-sites when bookings open for the season. And of course, ensure you carry the right camping gear for your trip. You do not need to reserve for day camp sites (like picnics as part of your road trip), especially in provincial parks in Canada or state parks in the US. 

Road Trip Essentials 

Here is a list of items to pack for your road trip 

• Clothes & Comfortable shoes – Pack 2-3 sets of clothing, depending on the duration of your road trip. Comfortable shoes are a must, they are helpful while you are behind the wheel or taking rest stops (for a stroll) or out and about exploring
• Warm clothes (for winter) – While driving in Canadian winters, don’t forget warm clothing from a parka, warm socks, gloves, beanies. 
• Hand warmers are great little items to keep inside the car
• Travel Mug – Coffee and tea lovers, pack your travel mug, and refill it on the go!
• Water bottle – Super important, carry your water bottle. Stay hydrated!
• Healthy snacks – Munch them if you are hungry, whilst feeling light!
• Medications, hand cream, chapstick 
• Emergency car kit – An emergency car kit is essential should things happen on the road. You can create one from scratch or buy one pre-pack from Amazon
• Emergency first aid kit – Check the first aid kit inside the car (check for expiry dates). If you don’t have one, here is one that you can buy from Amazon
• Flashlight – Super handy if you are camping or even driving overnight
• Dashboard mount for phone or GPS – Go hands-free while you are driving. Use a dash mount to keep your phone or GPS for navigation. 
• Charging cables – Unless your car has cable-free charging, it is important to pack one for your road trip. Buy a car charger here
• Playlist – No road trip is complete without an amazing playlist. Save it on iTunes, or your iPod. 
• Cell-phone – Don’t forget your cell-phone. Stay connected with family, let them know where you are heading. Store the hotel or campsite contact information, plus roadside assistance number for emergencies. 
• Car freshener – Refresh your car, using a refresher. 
• Road trip games – License plate, sing-along, card games (for kids)
• Car & Travel insurance – Car insurance is essential, so is travel insurance if you are traveling from overseas. For the car, you can also secure insurance with the rental company when you pick up the vehicle

Getting Ready: Checklist prior to your trip

Just before you start for your road trip, preferably a few days prior, ensure you do a quick run-down and check your vehicle. 

If you are renting a car, the rental company usually takes care of the car maintenance. But it is your responsibility to take note of any dents/scratches to report to the company later, plus record the mileage. 

For your car, do the following a few days (to a week) prior to your embarking on the road trip

• Clean your car prior to your trip
• Get it to the servicing center, if needed
• Ensure your license/registration has not expired
• Inform friends/family about your trip
• Don’t forget navigation systems/Google maps (make them accessible from your car seat)
• Save all the information phone numbers, hotel and sightseeing addresses, tour passes, etc

Mistakes to avoid while road tripping

After embarking on many road trips in Canada and the USA, here are our hacks and tips,

1. Not taking ample breaks 

It is crucial to stop and take breaks on your road trips. In Canada, there are gas stations, convenience shops, and rest-stops where you should stop by to take a break. Washrooms are also free to use in gas stations here. 

2. Rushing, and not allowing enough time 

While road tripping, go slow and soak in the views. Stop for a break, if needed. Eat, stretch your legs – that is the fun for taking on road trips.

3. Follow a loose itinerary

To enjoy a road trip to the fullest, don’t plan everything to the T. Have a rough idea about the route, attractions covered, but don’t be afraid to stop at a place longer if you like. 

We do recommend not to drive away endlessly for safety reasons. It is important to know of the next stop, be aware of the gas tank level, and the time of day and not derail completely. 

4. Not booking hotels or camp reservations 

To avoid last minute hassles, don’t leave hotel and campsite booking for the last minute. Last minute could be expensive. And during peak seasons, you may not even find a vacant hotel room in most national parks.

Plus campsites are hard to get if you don’t reserve ahead of time.

5. Not grabbing snacks or good music

Healthy snack items are a good idea if you are not planning for a meal stop on your road trip. We keep health/nutrition bars, coconut water and some candies. Don’t forget water!

And a good playlist (or podcast) is crucial to keep everyone inside the vehicle happy and jolly!

Use of Google Maps for walking tours, and trip planning 

Other than using Google Maps for road trips, we extensively use it for planning our walks in Europe (while sitting here in Canada), and also map out distances, time/duration and other stops in the itinerary. 

When exploring Europe, we use a mix of public transportation, guided and self guided walking tours, and we walk a lot! 

So from arriving at the airport, to getting to the right terminal for trams or trains to our day to day itinerary we pin everything to Google Maps. 

I take a lot of screenshots of maps and directions and save them in a folder on my phone. I am a planner, and doing so allows me to visualize and be empowered as to which way do we need to go, how much time will it take to get there, money to budget, etc. 

In the above image, you can see how to get from the airport in Barcelona to the hotel via metro trains. It includes terminal information, duration, etc.

Or this one, which was how to get from La Rambla to Bunkers del Carmel. We follow this route, and this way we are not wasting any time (other than stopping for food, or photos here and there :))

And this is another one, with all the sightseeing spots, and directions (first and the second layer on the desktop). 

So, there you have it. This is our route planner for itineraries and road trips. Google My Maps have worked wonderfully well for crafting our adventures, and it is completely FREE to use. 

Don’t forget to create your own travel map with Google, and give it a try! Have questions, let us know in the comments below.

Other trip planning guides

• How to plan a weekend trip
• What to pack for a weekend getaway
• How to save and start a travel fund

Pin: Google Maps: Best Road Trip Planner

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 35+ countries. Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, and plots travel plans to Europe, the Americas, and beyond. 

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Easy Tips for How to Plan a Trip with Google Maps (Photos)

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: January 11, 2023

I’m sure many of us have used Google Maps to get directions to drive somewhere. But did you know that it’s a great way to plan your trips? You can plan a road trip with Google Maps, routing to points along the way and seeing traffic. But, you can also create a custom Google map to plan a trip around a city, marking all the sites you want to see as well as hotels and restaurants.

Another great thing is that Google Maps will give you directions for your route, and you can choose from several different modes of transportation including driving, biking, walking, or taking public transportation. The walking and public transportation directions are especially useful for navigating cities when you travel.

If you want to plan a trip with Google Maps, then these tips will help you become a savvy traveler and build the perfect travel itinerary.

How Can Google Maps Help You Plan a Trip?

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country road trip, Google Maps can be a helpful tool for mapping out your planned route with a custom map.

Simply enter your starting point and destination, and the mobile app will generate a step-by-step plan for getting from one place to the other. You can also use the “traffic” layer to see real-time information about traffic conditions along your route. 

This can be particularly helpful if you’re planning a trip during rush hour or other high-traffic periods. Additionally, the “Street View” feature can be useful for getting a sense of what your destination looks like before you arrive. With all of these features, Google Maps can help you plan a stress-free trip.

And beyond using Google Maps to plan a road trip or driving route, Google Maps can be a great way to plan a vacation itinerary and determine where to stay or eat when in a new city.

I’ve used Google Maps to create plenty of custom maps to help see where attractions are in a city and find hotels that are close to things I want to see and do. I’ll explain how to make a custom Google Map for itinerary planning further down below.

5 Reasons to Use Google Maps to Plan Your Trip

You may be wondering why you would use Google Maps to help with road trip planning. There are many reasons to use this technology to map out the easiest way to and from popular destinations for your next road trip. You can plan to take the scenic route or cut drive time with direct driving directions.

1. Google Maps is free – There’s no need to spend money on a complicated GPS system or a physical map when you can use Google Maps for free. All you need is an internet connection and you’re good to go.

2. Google Maps is easy to use – The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, so you’ll be able to figure out how to use it without any problem. Even if you’ve never used a GPS system before, you’ll be able to use Google Maps with ease. It provides turn-by-turn navigation and even gets you back on track if you take a wrong turn.

3. Google Maps is accurate (mostly) – You can typically trust that the information provided by Google Maps is accurate and up-to-date. This is especially important if you’re using it for directions, as you don’t want to end up getting lost! Getting to your exact location, safely, with easy steps that guide you through the best driving route makes Google Maps your new road trip best friend.

I say mostly because we have all probably read the stories that occasionally happen where drivers are routed somewhere popular via a bad road, but those situations are very rare when you consider how often Google Maps is used.

4. Google Maps has extra features – In addition to providing directions, Google Maps also offers traffic information, satellite views, and even Street View images. This can come in handy if you’re trying to find a specific landmark or considering taking a detour off the beaten path.

5. Google Maps is available on all devices – Whether you’re using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, you can access Google Maps trip planner without any problems. The navigation app is also available in multiple languages, so even if English isn’t your first language, you can still use it without any issues.

Step-by-Step Directions for Planning a Short Trip with Google Maps

1. open google maps.

Begin by opening the Google Maps app on your phone or by going to maps.google.com on a computer.

2. Add Location for Starting Point and Destination

Click on the search bar at the top of the map and enter your destination. When the destination details window opens, you can click the blue button for “Directions”. Add your starting destination.

You can also click and drag the location pins to adjust their placement if needed.

3. Choosing Your Transportation

Once you have your starting point and destination added, a set of directions will load with estimated times. There is a menu to choose your transportation method.

You can choose from several modes of transportation including driving, public transportation, walking, biking, or even ride-share. You can also see traffic conditions along your route – orange and red road colors mean heavier traffic, which might cause a delay.

4. Get Directions  & Customization

Once you have your destinations routed and transportation chosen, there are further options to help you customize your trip. You can select a specific time you want to depart or arrive, and Google Maps will use its algorithm to tell you the approximate trip time based on traffic and other factors.

You can also choose different routes for your trip, like taking a different street route. You can also go into the route options to avoid highways, tolls, or ferries.

5. Add Mulitple Stops

You can add additional stops to your route, making it easy to plan a road trip with Google Maps. This can be convenient if you’re doing a simple one-day road trip or just running errands.

But if you want to get a broader view, check out the details below for how to plan a road trip with Google Maps using custom maps.

How to Plan a Road Trip Using Google Maps

Let’s say you already know about the simple Google Maps directions method above, but you’re looking for something bigger and better. Sitting down with a physical map and planning out your cross-country road trip can be time-consuming and difficult. I’m sure baby boomers and Gen X’ers will remember the days of AAA TripTiks.

Fortunately, it’s easy to plan a road trip with Google Maps with multiple stops. You just need to create your own Custom Google Map.

Keep in mind that the steps above will help you get driving directions to your destination(s), these directions below help you plan a road trip but won’t be available for live driving directions. The driving directions above using the Google Maps app can be convenient for short trips or trips with stops already planned.

Note: planning a road trip with custom Google Maps is best done on a desktop computer. As much as we love our phones, planning a large trip like this typically works better on a desktop (in my opinion, based on my experience).

1. Create a New Google Map

The first step is to open Google Maps , click on the “hamburger menu” (three lines in the top corner), then click on the “Your Places” tab. There are four tabs, Lists, Labeled, Visited, and Maps. Click on Maps. Your custom maps will be shown here, to create a new map, select “Create Map.” Another shortcut is to simply go to mymaps.google.com .

Name your map something easy that describes your trip. Google Maps does allow you to make these maps shared with the public, or with friends. So keep that in mind when you’re naming your map.

2. Click “Add Directions” Arrow

Begin your route by clicking the arrow “directions” button that is located below the search field. This will create a new driving directions layer. You’ll start with fields for locations A and B. This is the first start to planning your road trip with Google Maps. Add your next destination, and continue adding each destination. You’re limited to 10 destinations per layer.

You can click the “directions arrow” again to create multiple Driving Layers, so you may choose to make a different layer for each day of your road trip, or different sections.

Clicking on the “car” image next to “Driving” will let you choose biking or walking as your transportation method. This is great if you’re planning to go between stops via one of those methods.

3. Check Drive Times and Directions

Click the three dots next to the layer title name to view the “Step-by-Step Directions”. This will help you see the estimated mileage and drive times as well as the directions. You’ll be shown the overall time and mileage at the top, but each stop in smaller writing will show the time and distance from that starting point to the next point.

Note, this will not give you GPS driving directions for use when you’re actually driving. However, you can use this to pre-plan your route and stops, then use the traditional driving directions I noted above to navigate between each of your stops.

How to Plan a Trip Itinerary with Google Maps

Another way Google Maps can help you plan a trip is by adding location tags to a custom map. You can input all of the things you want to do on layers of the map to help you group together certain activities and restaurants as well as determine which hotel is best for your plans.

Follow the same directions from step 1 above to create and name a new Google Map.

2. Add Locations to Your Google Map

Next, you’ll add all of your desired destinations by searching and selecting the location in the search bar, then clicking on the (+) to add them to your map. Organize your destinations by creating layers, renaming them, and dragging and dropping pins into their respective layers.

3. Customize Location Pins

To customize the pins on your map, click on the “Paint Can” image on the location details or next to the location name on the layer (hidden unless you hover over the location). You can change the color of the pins and the icon used to represent each pin. There are many icons that are especially useful in charting the attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars in a city.

4. How to Create Map Layers in Google Docs

To create map layers, click on the “Add Layer” button at the top left corner of your map. Name the layer and add destinations to it by searching and using the (+) to add the location to your map. If you assign a location to the wrong layer, you can simply click on the icon and drag the location to the preferred layer. You can also organize your layers by dragging and dropping them in a different order.

You can also add additional layers for walking or driving directions. You can see my 1 Day in Rome Itinerary post to see how I did that. Or just view the map here . This lets you create layers for planning as well as layers to map out walking or driving around to points of interest.

5. Plan Your Trip

Once you’ve added the places you want to see, stay, and eat, it will help you plan your itinerary with your Google Map. You’ll be able to see which restaurants are near which attractions. And you can see if a certain hotel is more centrally located for your desired activities.

What Are the Limitations to Google Maps?

It’s important to keep in mind that Google Maps is not always 100% accurate. Overall, it’s a very powerful vacation planning tool, and it’s free!

No Account for Schedule Changes

Google Maps does not always take into account any changes to public transportation schedules, road closures, or construction. It’s important to do your own research and stay updated on possible delays that may affect your route. This is especially true if you’re traveling on a holiday.

Recently I’ve noticed Google Maps is doing a pretty good job of recognizing road closures and helping you route around those.

GPS technology is not always completely accurate and can lead to errors in directions. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case Google Maps leads you astray. We still carry a road atlas (affiliate link) in our car, and if you’re touring a specific state you may want to pick up a state road map as well.

Delayed Updated Information

Google Maps can only give suggestions and recommendations based on the information it has. It’s up to the user to pay attention to their surroundings and make safe choices while traveling. Business also may have closed or changed and that info has not been noted.

Overall, Google Maps can be a helpful tool for trip planning, but it’s important to remember that it is not infallible. Always make sure to use common sense for a successful journey.

FAQs for Planning a Trip with Google Maps

Can i save my custom routes on google maps.

When using Google Maps for driving directions, you can’t save the route. However, you can save locations to “Your Places”. When you create a custom Google Map for your trip, it will be saved in your My Maps section automatically after creating it.

How do I view traffic conditions along my route?

The Google Maps app will automatically show traffic conditions on your route when you plan directions between locations. If you’re planning a trip using a custom Google Map, traffic conditions won’t be shown as they don’t provide live driving directions.

Can I view my saved places and custom routes on a computer?

Yes, you can access your saved places and custom routes by signing into your Google account on maps.google.com. You can see your custom maps at mymaps.google.com.

Can I plan a multi-destination trip with Google Maps?

Yes, you can add multiple destinations by clicking on the “+” sign in the search bar and entering additional locations. You can also click and drag pins to adjust their order if needed. Keep in mind that Google Maps will plan the most efficient route, so you may have to manually adjust your stops if you want to visit them in a specific order.

Can I plan a trip with multiple modes of transportation?

Yes, you can select different modes of transportation for each leg of your trip using different layers. For example, you could choose to drive to your first destination, take public transportation to your second destination, and then walk to your final destination. Google Maps will provide step-by-step directions for each mode of transportation.

Can I add stops along my route?

Yes, in the three dots menu, click on the “Add stop” option to add specific locations that you want to visit along your route. You can also drag and drop the stops to adjust their order if needed.

When using a custom Google Map, you can add up to 10 locations to each layer of your map. Simply search for the location and click the (+).

Can I view my trip itinerary and estimated time of arrival on Google Maps?

Yes, when using Google Maps for directions you’ll see an drive time and distance located in the lower section below the map for your trip. Using the three dots menu you can also select to set an arrival or departure time that will help you plan for traffic.

If you’re using the custom Google Map method, you’ll be able to see drive times and distances for your route, however live traffic will not be taken into account so the times are based on averages.

Can I share my custom route with others?

Yes, you can select to share your route, such as through email or a social media platform. Keep in mind that the recipient will also need to have a Google account in order to view the saved route. You can also embed the maps into a website.

Can I plan a trip with multiple people using Google Maps?

Yes, in the pin dropdown menu, click on the “Share or embed map” option and select the “Collaborate” tab to add other Google users who can view and edit your custom route. This can be a useful tool for planning group trips.

Can I use Google Maps offline?

Yes, you can download specific maps for offline use by searching for a location, clicking on the three pin dropdown menu, and selecting “Download offline map.” You’ll be able to zoom in and out to select a certain area/region of map to download.

This feature can be useful when you don’t have access to wifi or data while traveling. Keep in mind that this feature may not include real-time information such as traffic conditions or public transportation schedules. Also, you’ll need free storage space on your phone to save the maps data.

Can I view public transportation schedules on Google Maps?

Yes, when you’ve arranged directions you can click on the “Public transit” option to see schedules for buses and trains along your route. You can use the “set arrival or departure time” feature to help figure out public transportation times.

Keep in mind that this information may not be available for all areas, and could have adjustments not known by Google such as holiday schedules.

How to Calculate Gas Cost

When you are driving, it is important to calculate the cost of gas for your trip. Here are some steps to help you with this calculation:

• Determine the average miles per gallon (MPG) for your car. This can usually be found in the car’s manual or online.
• Estimate the total distance of your trip.
• Calculate the number of gallons needed for the trip by dividing the distance by your car’s MPG.
• Find the current price of gas per gallon at a nearby gas station.
• Multiply the number of gallons needed by the price of gas to get the estimated cost of gas for your trip.

Make sure to also account for any gas you may need for the return trip or for any detours during your travels. Knowing where the gas stations are will help relieve stress so you can focus on getting from point A to point B. You can use an app like Gas Buddy to help you find the best towns to fill up for lower prices. Check out my vacation cost calculator for more help planning your trip.

Different Ways to Access Google Maps

There are a few different ways that you can access Google Maps. People from all walks of life like to use different versions of Google Maps. Here’s how to use it in different ways. 

Head to the Website

The first way is to go to maps.google.com.

Download the App

The second way is to go to the App Store on your mobile device and download the Google Maps app.

Use Your Phone’s Browser

Use the Google Maps website on your mobile device’s browser. This can be hard to do on some older phones, but many smartphones now have the capability to access websites just like a computer.

Use Your Car’s Navigation System

Some cars come with built-in navigation systems that use Google Maps. Check your car’s manual or touchscreen display to see if this option is available.

Use a Third-Party Map Program

There are also some third-party map programs, such as Waze or Apple Maps , that use Google Maps or other data as a source for their own navigation services. These can be downloaded as apps on your mobile device.  

Whichever way you choose to access Google Maps, always make sure you have a safe way to view the map while driving. This could mean using a navigator or pulling over to a safe location before accessing the map on your phone. 

The last way is to use the GoogleMaps API through a programming language such as Java, Python, or JavaScript.

There are many different ways that you can access Google Maps depending on your needs. If you just need directions, then any of the five methods will work for you.

However, if you need more specific information or want to use Google Maps’ advanced features, then you may need to use the Google Maps API through a programming language.

How to Utilize Google Maps

There are many benefits to using Google Maps. You can use it for directions, finding businesses in your area, or even checking out an aerial view of your neighborhood! Here are tips and tricks on how to get the most out of this useful tool.

Getting Directions

One of the most popular features of Google Maps is its ability to give you directions from one place to another. Whether you are driving, walking, or taking public transportation, Google Maps can help you plan your route. Simply enter your starting location and destination into the search bar and click on the “Get Directions” button. 

Then, choose the type of transportation you will be using and click “OK.” Google Maps will then show you the best route to take, complete with estimated time and distance. You can even click on the “Steps” tab to see a detailed breakdown of each leg of your journey.

Finding Businesses in Your Area

Another great use for Google Maps is finding businesses in your area. For example, let’s say you are looking for a nearby restaurant. Enter “restaurants” into the search bar and then zoom into the area you would like to search. 

Once you have done that, a bunch of different icons will appear on the map, each representing a different type of business. To see more information about a particular business, such as its address or hours of operation, simply click on its icon. You can also read customer reviews by clicking on the “Reviews” tab.

Checking Out an Aerial or Street View

Google Maps also offers an aerial view of any location. This can be handy if you want to get a bird’s eye view of your neighborhood or any other place you are interested in exploring. To access this feature, zoom all the way into the map until you see houses and other buildings. 

Then, click on the “Satellite” button in the upper-right corner of the screen. This will bring up an aerial view of the area that you can scroll around and explore at your leisure.

You can also click for a street view to be able to see a recent image of the exact location from a drive-by imaging car. This is useful if you are considering a hotel or Airbnb and want to get a feel for the area.

These are just a few examples of how you can use Google Maps to plan your next trip. Whether you need directions to somewhere new or want to find a nearby business, Google Maps is a helpful tool that everyone should know how to use! With your road trip itinerary under control, you can focus on having the best time where ever you end up!

Have you planned a trip with the Google maps route planner? Let me know if the comments what your favorite road trip is!

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Can everyone see trip duration??

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So I am a “part timer” driver with a regular 9-5 job. But then on the weekends I make some “fun” money doing Uber. Started doing more trips as I was on the edge of the Platinum level. I was motivated by trip distance and direction. Of course direction was not granted. I only do weekends so the only quest that was an option for me is the Friday to Monday option. I don’t really choose the consecutive rides because I don’t get out of work until 530 and sometimes I just don’t rush for $4. Now, they have lowered the quest to an unreasonable amount that’s barely worth chasing. So, the only benefit that I see from maintaining the platinum level is trip duration. But that is available to anyone? Gold? What’s the point of keeping up 85% acceptance. I accepted a trip tonight after midnight just because I was on the borderline. If they’re going to take everything away then how do they expect us to be motivated? Oh. That’s right. There is still ASU online  

Ask yourself why trip duration really matters to you? You are going to accept most ALL rides ANYWAY....so that you can see trip duration. Uber dangles any silly carrot in front of drivers and drivers get anxiety over not getting the carrot. You get told of long trips regardless and short or long trips from airports. Go below 85% and stop caring, because there are rides (too far away/too congested area/etc etc) which are not in your best interest to take. But Uber will take away the silly carrot? So you do those rides?? Uber wants you to do rides you would turn down normally. That is the point of it. Why are you doing rides you shouldn't do? Psychologists at Uber just played you.  

ChrisFZ said: Ask yourself why trip duration really matters to you? You are going to accept most ALL rides ANYWAY....so that you can see trip duration. Uber dangles any silly carrot in front of drivers and drivers get anxiety over not getting the carrot. You get told of long trips regardless and short or long trips from airports. Go below 85% and stop caring, because there are rides (too far away/too congested area/etc etc) which are not in your best interest to take. But Uber will take away the silly carrot? So you do those rides?? Uber wants you to do rides you would turn down normally. That is the point of it. Why are you doing rides you shouldn't do? Psychologists at Uber just played you. Click to expand...

If you stay offline until it surges your acceptance rate is going to be high.  

patsfan1212 said: So I am a "part timer" driver with a regular 9-5 job. But then on the weekends I make some "fun" money doing Uber. Started doing more trips as I was on the edge of the Platinum level. I was motivated by trip distance and direction. Of course direction was not granted. I only do weekends so the only quest that was an option for me is the Friday to Monday option. I don't really choose the consecutive rides because I don't get out of work until 530 and sometimes I just don't rush for $4. Now, they have lowered the quest to an unreasonable amount that's barely worth chasing. So, the only benefit that I see from maintaining the platinum level is trip duration. But that is available to anyone? Gold? What's the point of keeping up 85% acceptance. I accepted a trip tonight after midnight just because I was on the borderline. If they're going to take everything away then how do they expect us to be motivated? Oh. That's right. There is still ASU online Click to expand...

You never know if your coming or going, meanwhile Uber is straight up laughing in your face!!  

Ping.Me.More said: View attachment 317476 Click to expand...

Don't like the trip ? CANCEL IT  

In addition trip duration aren't always accurate and/or perhaps Uber manipulate it. On Friday I received 2 trip that says 45mins(but in Google maps it was 1hr 10mins to ohare) also another say 36mins(but google map shows 54mins to midway) from downtown..Was so glad I didnt accept those trips....  

You didn't accept the trips, you said that, but you knew it was ord and midway. I don't know how you did that, maybe you started and canceled the trips, I don't know how you see where is the destination based on trip duration!!!!!  

Had 3 airport pings come in today. No notification of time. Swipe.. cancel.. sorry.. maybe next time.  

What's the threshold on the cancel rate before we start getting the automatically generated warning shot email from the Uber server?  

Haven't seen 1 is years Eddie G  

I guess what I really want to know is if I would lose my ability to see the length of the trip if my cancellation rate goes above a certain number.  

If you hit 5% cancellation or higher, (according to the "fine print" on Uber Pro), you will no longer earn Gold, Platinum, or Diamond rewards, until it goes back down to 4% or lower. Seeing Trip Duration is one of the rewards. (Also need 4.85 stars % and 85% acceptance).  

Ping.Me.More said: If you hit 5% cancellation or higher, (according to the "fine print" on Uber Pro), you will no longer earn Gold, Platinum, or Diamond rewards, until it goes back down to 4% or lower. Seeing Trip Duration is one of the rewards. (Also need 4.85 stars % and 85% acceptance). Click to expand...

Aka, we'll decide if you deserve to see trip direction and duration!!  

EddieG said: What's the threshold on the cancel rate before we start getting the automatically generated warning shot email from the Uber server? Click to expand...

EddieG said: I guess what I really want to know is if I would lose my ability to see the length of the trip if my cancellation rate goes above a certain number. Click to expand...

We still have it available in the Chicago market.  

Where did you hear they are taking it away? It worked from me the entire time I drove today from around 11 am until around 4 pm.  

I hope its just a technical issue but some of the other threads are mentioning it could be Uber being Uber.  

I had it all morning.  

Haven't had duration all morning. Platinum driver, 4.97, 86%, 3%. Stupid ass Uber.  

Does any of you wrote to Uber about that issue and what was their respond?  

I went into a Greenlight Hub the day mine wasn't working. The rep there looked at my account and agreed with me that I should be seeing the trip bonus. She filed some sort of report and said I should get an email from some kind of special support team within 24 hours. I never got that email, but by the next morning my trip duration was working again.  

Mine was finally back midday today, I guess I scared them with threats of quitting all together if they reneged on trip time and duration!  

Update its back to not working this morning and I do meet all the requirements still. Lol.  

It didn't work for me on Saturday night and I met all the requirements.  

Still working for me. If it's convenient I would recommend taking screenshots and going into a Greenlight Hub. It may be that Uber is being sneaky and taking it away from some drivers without reason. It may also be that they'll "fix" the problem for those who make the effort to complain about it. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.  

I’ve been off for last 10 days due to various reasons. Last night I saw durations the whole time even though my acceptance stats started the night at 78% and ended at 82% (I think maybe it clicked over at midnight?)  

OP-Matt said: I've been off for last 10 days due to various reasons. Last night I saw durations the whole time even though my acceptance stats started the night at 78% and ended at 82% (I think maybe it clicked over at midnight?) Click to expand...

Not seeing it this morning. 90% and 4% acceptance and cancel. I still saw it when my cancel rate was 5% and 6% over the weekend, but 3 pings so far today no duration. Anyone have it working today?  

No, unfortunately still off. I was at least told its not a new policy but a technical issue. I just hope thats true. How often have they rolled something out only to take it back?  

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• Q&A: Tips for viewing the 2024 solar eclipse

Q&A: Tips for viewing the 2024 solar eclipse

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On Monday, April 8, the United States will experience a total solar eclipse — a rare astronomical event where the moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth, blocking out the sun’s light almost completely. The last total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. was in 2017, and the next one won’t be until 2044.

If the weather cooperates, people across the United States — from northeastern Maine to southwestern Texas — will be able to observe the eclipse using protective eyewear. Those in the path of totality , where the moon entirely covers the sun, will have the best view, but 99% of people in the continental U.S. will be able to see a partial eclipse. Weather permitting, those on the MIT campus and the surrounding area will see 93 percent of the sun covered, with the partial eclipse starting at 2:15 p.m. and reaching its peak around 3:29 p.m. Gatherings are planned at the Kresge Oval and the MIT Museum , and a live NASA stream will be shown in the Building 55 atrium .

Brian Mernoff , manager of the CommLab in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is an accomplished astrophotographer and science educator. Mernoff is headed to Vermont with his family to experience the totality from the best possible angle — but has offered a few thoughts on how to enjoy the eclipse safely, wherever you are.

Q: What should viewers expect to see and experience with this solar eclipse?

A: When you’re watching TV (the sun) and your toddler, dog, or other large mammal (the moon) blocks your view, you no doubt move over a bit to try to get a partial or full view of the TV. This is exactly how the path of totality works for an eclipse. If you are exactly in line with the moon and sun, it will be completely blocked, but if you start moving away from this path, your view of the sun will start to increase until the moon is not in the way at all.

The closer you are to the path of totality, the more of the sun will be blocked. At MIT, about 93 percent of the sun will be blocked. Those in the area will notice that things around you will get slightly darker, just like when it starts to become overcast. Even so, the sun will remain very bright in the sky and solar glasses will be required to view the entirety of the eclipse. It really goes to show how incredibly bright the sun is!

Within the narrow path of totality, the moon will continue to move across the sun, reaching 100 percent coverage. For this short period of time, you can remove your glasses and see a black disk where the sun should be. Around the disk will be wispy white lines. This is the corona, the outermost part of the sun, which is normally outshone by the sun’s photosphere (surface). Around the edges of the black disk of the moon, right as totality begins and ends, you can also see bright spots around the edges, known as Bailey’s Beads, caused by sunlight shining between mountains and craters on the moon.

But that’s not all! Although you will be tempted to stare up at the sun throughout totality, do not forget to observe the world around you. During totality, it feels like twilight. There is a 360-degree sunset, the temperature changes rapidly, winds change, animals start making different sounds, and shadows start getting weird (look into “shadow bands” if you have a chance).

As soon as totality ends, and you start to see Baily’s Beads again, put your solar glasses back on as it will get very bright again very fast as the moon moves out of the way.

Q: What are the best options for viewing the eclipse safely and to greatest effect?

A: No matter where you are during the eclipse, make sure you have solar glasses. These glasses should be ISO-approved for solar viewing. Do not use glasses with scratches, holes, or other damage.

If you are unable to obtain solar glasses in time, you can safely view the eclipse using a home-made projection method , such as a pinhole camera or even projecting the image of the sun through a colander.

The best view of the eclipse will be from within the path of totality, but even if you are not within it, you should still go outside to experience the partial eclipse. Use the NASA Eclipse Explorer to find the start, maximum, and end times, and then find a nice spot outside — preferably with some shade — put on your glasses, and enjoy the show.

For a closer view of the sun, find a friend that has a telescope with the correct ISO-certified solar filter. This will let you see the photosphere (or chromosphere if it is an H-alpha scope) in a lot more detail. If you do not have access to a telescope, NASA plans to livestream a telescope view throughout the eclipse. [The livestream will be displayed publicly on a large screen in Building 55 at MIT, rain or shine.]

The only time you can look at or image the sun without a filter is during 100 percent totality. As soon as this period is done, glasses and filters must be put back on.

After the eclipse, keep your glasses and filters. You can use them to look at the sun on any day (it took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize that I could use the glasses at any time instead of lugging out a telescope). On a really clear day, you can sometimes see sunspots!

Q: How does eclipse photography work?

A: This year I plan to photograph the eclipse in two ways. The first is using a hydrogen-alpha telescope. This telescope filters out all light except for one wavelength that is given off by hydrogen. Because it blocks out most of the light from the sun’s surface, it allows you to see the turbulent upper atmosphere of the sun, including solar prominences that follow magnetic field lines.

Because this telescope does not allow for imaging during totality as too much light is blocked, I also plan to set up a regular camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the total eclipse with the surrounding environment as context. During the 2017 eclipse, I only captured close-ups of the sun using a regular solar filter and missed the opportunity to capture what was going on around me.

Will it work? That depends on if we get clear skies, and how many pictures of my 1.5-year-old need to be taken (as well as how much chasing needs to be done).

If you would like to take pictures of the eclipse, make sure you protect your camera sensor. The sun can easily damage lenses, sensors, and other components. Here are some examples of solar damaged cameras . The solution is simple, though. If using a camera phone, you can take pictures through an extra pair of solar glasses, or even tape them to the phone. For cameras with larger lenses, you can buy cardboard filters that slide over the front of your camera or even buy ISO-approved solar film and make your own.

Q: Any fun, unique, cool, or interesting science facts about this eclipse to share?

A: If you want to get even more involved with the eclipse, there are many citizen science projects that plan to collect as much data as possible throughout the eclipse.

NASA is planning to run several experiments during the eclipse , and researchers with MIT Haystack Observatory will also be using four different technologies to monitor changes in the upper atmosphere , both locally and across the continent.

If you are interested in learning more about the eclipse, here are two of my favorite videos, one on “ unexpected science from a 0.000001 megapixel home-made telescope ” and one on solar eclipse preparation .

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Watch CBS News

What time the 2024 solar eclipse started, reached peak totality and ended

By Sarah Maddox

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:04 AM EDT / CBS News

The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible across North America today. As the moon's position between the Earth and sun casts a shadow on North America, that shadow, or umbra, will travel along the surface from west to east at more than 1,500 miles per hour along the path of totality . 

That means the eclipse will start, peak and end at different times — as will the moments of total darkness along the path of totality — and the best time to view the eclipse depends on where you are located. Some places along the path will have more totality time than others.

In Texas, the south-central region had clouds in the forecast , but it was better to the northeast, according to the National Weather Service. The best eclipse viewing weather was expected in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as in Canada's New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

What time does the 2024 total solar eclipse start?

The total solar eclipse will emerge over the South Pacific Ocean before the shadow falls across North America, beginning in parts of Mexico. The path of totality , where onlookers can witness the moon fully blocking the sun (through eclipse viewing glasses for safety ), is expected to first make landfall near the city of Mazatlán around 9:51 a.m. MT. 

The total solar eclipse will cross over the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas, where it will emerge over Eagle Pass at 12:10 p.m. CT and then peak at about 1:27 p.m. CT.

In Dallas, NASA data shows the partial eclipse will first become visible at 12:23 p.m. CT and peak at 1:40 p.m. CT. The next states in the path of totality are Oklahoma and Arkansas, where the eclipse begins in Little Rock at 12:33 p.m. CT. 

Cleveland will see the beginning of the eclipse at 1:59 p.m. ET. Darkness will start spreading over the sky in Buffalo, New York, at 2:04 p.m. ET. Then, the eclipse will reach northwestern Vermont, including Burlington, at 2:14 p.m. ET. Parts of New Hampshire and Maine will also follow in the path of totality before the eclipse first reaches the Canadian mainland  at 3:13 p.m. ET.

Although the experience won't be exactly the same, viewers in all the contiguous U.S. states outside the path of totality will still be able to see a partial eclipse. Some places will see most of the sun blocked by the moon, including Washington, D.C., where the partial eclipse will start at 2:04 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:20 p.m. ET.

In Chicago, viewers can start viewing the partial eclipse at 12:51 p.m. CT, with the peak arriving at 2:07 p.m. CT.  In Detroit, viewers will be able to enjoy a near-total eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. ET and peaking at 3:14 p.m. ET.

New York City will also see a substantial partial eclipse, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and peaking around 3:25 p.m. ET.

In Boston it will begin at 2:16 p.m. ET and peak at about 3:29 p.m. ET.

The below table by NASA shows when the eclipse will start, peak and end in 13 cities along the eclipse's path.

What time will the solar eclipse reach peak totality?

Millions more people will have the chance to witness the total solar eclipse this year than during the last total solar eclipse , which was visible from the U.S. in 2017. 

The eclipse's peak will mean something different for cities within the path of totality and for those outside. Within the path of totality, darkness will fall for a few minutes. The longest will last more than 4 minutes, but most places will see between 3.5 and 4 minutes of totality. In cities experiencing a partial eclipse, a percentage of the sun will be obscured for more than two hours.

Mazatlán is set to experience totality at 11:07 am PT. Dallas will be able to see the moon fully cover the sun at 1:40 p.m. CT. Little Rock will start to see the full eclipse at 1:51 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 3:13 p.m. ET and Buffalo at 3:18 p.m. ET. Totality will reach Burlington at 3:26 p.m. ET before moving into the remaining states and reaching Canada around 4:25 p.m.

Outside the path of totality, 87.4% of the sun will be eclipsed in Washington, D.C. at 3:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago will have maximum coverage of 93.9% at 2:07 p.m. CT. New York City is much closer to the path of totality this year than it was in 2017; it will see 89.6% coverage at 3:25 p.m. EDT. 

Detroit is another city that will encounter a near-total eclipse, with 99.2% maximum coverage at 3:14 p.m. ET. Boston will see 92.4% coverage at 3:29 p.m. ET.

What time will the solar eclipse end?

The eclipse will leave continental North America from Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NT, according to NASA.

At the beginning of the path of totality in Mazatlán, the eclipse will be over by 12:32 p.m. PT, and it will leave Dallas at 3:02 p.m. CT. The eclipse will end in Little Rock at 3:11 p.m. CT, Cleveland at 4:29 p.m. CDT and Buffalo at 4:32 p.m. ET. Burlington won't be far behind, with the eclipse concluding at 4:37 p.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the viewing will end in Chicago at 3:21 p.m. CT, Washington, D.C. at 4:32 p.m. ET, and New York City at 4:36 p.m. ET. 

In Detroit, the partial eclipse will disappear at 4:27 p.m. ET, and in Boston, it will be over at 4:39 p.m. ET.

How long will the eclipse last in total?

The total solar eclipse will begin in Mexico at 11:07 a.m. PT and leave continental North America at 5:16 p.m. NT. From the time the partial eclipse first appears on Earth to its final glimpses before disappearing thousands of miles away, the celestial show will dazzle viewers for about 5 hours, according to timeanddate.com . 

The length of the total solar eclipse at points along the path depends on the viewing location. The longest will be 4 minutes and 28 seconds, northwest of Torreón, Mexico. Near the center of the path, totality takes place for the longest periods of time, according to NASA.

Spectators will observe totality for much longer today than during the 2017 eclipse , when the longest stretch of totality was 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

The moon's shadow seen on Earth today, called the umbra, travels at more than 1,500 miles per hour, according to NASA. It would move even more quickly if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction.

What is the longest a solar eclipse has ever lasted?

The longest known totality was 7 minutes and 28 seconds in 743 B.C. However, NASA says this record will be broken in 2186 with a 7 minute, 29 second total solar eclipse. The next total solar eclipse visible from parts of the U.S. won't happen until Aug. 23, 2044.

Sarah Maddox has been with CBS News since 2019. She works as an associate producer for CBS News Live.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Thinking of taking a last-minute drive to see the eclipse here's what to know.

Geoff Brumfiel

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred. AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

RV traffic sits at a standstill along a two-lane road near Madras, Ore., a few days before the 2017 total solar eclipse. Experts say traffic could be heavy, but eclipse watchers shouldn't necessarily be deterred.

NASA says that roughly 31.6 million people live in the path of this year's total solar eclipse, and a little under half of the U.S. population lives within 200 miles driving distance of the path of totality .

That could mean many millions of Americans will hit the road to get a better view on April 8. If you're still pondering whether or not you want to make the journey, here's what to consider.

Have some destinations in mind, and check the weather and cloud cover forecasts in advance

It's a good idea to scout out one or more locations within driving distance, so that you have some flexibility if traffic or weather is threatening your plans, says Jonathan Upchurch, a professor emeritus of civil engineering at Arizona State University who has studied travel around solar eclipses.

There are several interactive tools that show the path of totality, including Eclipse2024.org and the National Solar Observatory . You can use them to figure out what sites might work best for you.

In terms of weather, check not just the weather forecast, but also the cloud cover forecast. Some websites, such as Windy.com will predict cloud cover ahead of time, giving you a sense of whether you'll actually be able to see the eclipse in all its glory.

Everything you need to know about solar eclipse glasses before April 8

During the total solar eclipse in 2017, Upchurch says he chose to go to Idaho "because there were some great chances of having sunny skies, and I had the opportunity to be nimble and relocate if I wanted to."

Before driving into the path of totality, make sure your gas tank is full and that you've got everything you need

During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, it's estimated some 5 million people took to the roads, and those numbers will potentially be much higher this year.

Given all that, Upchurch says it's important to make sure you're taking what you need into the path of totality. You should make sure your car is gassed or charged up, and that you have plenty of snacks and water with you in case you get stranded for a while, especially when trying to leave.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Totality stretches from Texas to Maine

Simple tips to safely photograph the eclipse with your cellphone.

Also don't forget to bring eclipse glasses, which must be worn anytime you're looking at the sun, except for the few minutes when it is completely blocked by the moon.

Some state emergency planners also recommend bringing a paper map or road atlas in case cellular networks become overloaded with visitors seeking directions from their phones.

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone! Erika Goldring/FilmMagic hide caption

Don't forget your eclipse glasses everyone!

Arrive early and stay late

Once you figure out where you're going to watch the eclipse, and you've got your supplies, try to get there early. Although traffic is likely to be heavier than normal on the morning of eclipse day, it still should be possible to reach many destinations without too much hassle, says Upchurch.

"Leaving is definitely going to be more of a problem," he says. As the eclipse concludes, people will take to the roads all at once to try and get home as fast as they can. In 2017, that led to traffic jams that lasted many hours in some areas. If possible, Upchurch says, people should stay put for a while to try and avoid the worst of the post-eclipse rush, which in 2017 stretched even into the following day in some parts of the country.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

And one more thing: If you do find yourself on the move near the time of the eclipse, state officials stress that you should not simply pull over to the side of the road or highway you're driving on. It's important to be parked legally and safely at the moment of totality.

If you're already in the path of totality: Relax and enjoy!

Several major metropolitan areas including Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are already inside the path of totality, so there's no need to seek a better view, Upchurch says. You'll probably have the most fun simply staying where you are.

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Watching a solar eclipse without the right filters can cause eye damage. here's why.

If you're on the edge of the path of totality, however, you might consider making a short trip to get closer to the center of the eclipse's path.

"If you're within about 40 miles of the center line, you'll have two-and-a-half minutes or more" of complete totality, Upchurch says. It's up to you to decide whether it's worth making the trip to a more central location.

Despite studying the potential hassles of traveling extensively, Upchurch says he's still looking forward to seeing the 2024 eclipse, which he plans to watch from Texas.

"Totality is absolutely spectacular," he says. "If you have a chance to witness it, I would do it."

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Fjords, Pharaohs or Koalas? Time to Plan for Your Next Eclipse.

If you can’t get enough of totality, or missed out this time, you’ll have three more chances in the next four years in destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt and Australia.

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By Danielle Dowling

Are you still a little giddy from the magical moments of totality during Monday’s solar eclipse? Or did clouds swoop in to block your view? Maybe you just couldn’t make it to the path of totality this time. No matter what, the question now is “ Where and when will it happen again?”

“People who have never seen it before, the first words out of their mouth after the totality ends is ‘I’ve got to see another one, this is incredible, this is unbelievable.’ That is when you become addicted to these things and end up traveling no matter where the next one is,” said Joseph Rao, an eclipse chaser and guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium.

So, if like Mr. Rao, you’ve developed a raging case of umbraphilia — the love of eclipses — you’ll have three chances over the next four years to see the moon blot out the sun. The first, on Aug. 12, 2026, will start above Greenland, then strafe the west coast of Iceland and move along the Atlantic Ocean and over Spain. Almost a year later, on Aug. 2, 2027, another will skirt the Mediterranean coast of North Africa then cross Egypt and part of the Arabian Peninsula. The third, on July 22, 2028, will cut across Australia and the southern tip of New Zealand.

Future Eclipses

Eclipse chasers will have several more chances this decade to view a total solar eclipse .

Last week, as Victoria Sahami , the owner of Sirius Travel , was preparing to guide a group of tourists in Mazatlán, Mexico, for Monday’s big event, she was also planning for these other upcoming eclipses. Ms. Sahami joined the ranks of the eclipse-obsessed when she witnessed one in Venezuela in the 1990s. “Like many people, I was hooked. There was no going back,” she said.

Total solar eclipses happen fairly regularly — about every one to two years — in locations scattered around the world. “That’s the great thing about them: You wind up in places that you don’t normally go,” Ms. Sahami said.

A major spoiler is weather, which will be a big variable in the 2026 eclipse — one Greenland, Iceland and Spain will see.

“Iceland normally has a lot of cloud during that time of year,” said Paul Maley , who runs Ring of Fire Expeditions . “The data shows Spain to have the higher good-weather prospects of all three. However, the sun is low in the sky and the eclipse ends as the sun hits the horizon at sunset.”

Because of Iceland’s mercurial meteorology, Ring of Fire Expeditions is going all in on Spain, with a 10-day excursion on the mainland. Sirius Travel is offering not only a five-day trip to Majorca but also an eight-day tour around Iceland. It will be based in Reykjavik, and the itinerary will remain flexible on the day of the eclipse so the tour can easily pivot toward the location with the least cloud cover. Ms. Sahami recommends the trip for those who already have a few eclipses under their belt and would be happy just to take in the sights of Iceland if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The 2027 eclipse, on the other hand, promises to be truly stellar: Luxor, Egypt — the site of numerous ancient temples as well as the Valleys of the Kings and Queens — sits right in the middle of the path of totality and will be bathed in darkness for a full 6 minutes 23 seconds. Weather-wise, it is what Ms. Sahami called “a slam dunk.” “You know you’re going to see it. You know that you’re not going to get any clouds,” she said.

But for all its potential, those considering Egypt should be aware that the State Department has a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for the country because of the risk of terrorism.

The 2028 eclipse will darken the skies over Sydney, Australia, for 3 minutes 49 seconds. It will be the first time the city has experienced a total solar eclipse since 1857. Ms. Sahami has her eyes on a trip based out of there, while Mr. Maley has chartered a cruise ship off the northwest coast of Australia. It will be winter there, he said, but that isn’t likely to mean bad eclipse-viewing weather.

If you want to see any (or all) of these eclipses, you should get started on planning and booking now, particularly if you want to sign up for a trip organized by a tour company. One of Sirius Travel’s excursions to Luxor is already full.

Scrutinize refund policies and look into insuring your trip. Several companies will fully refund your deposit if you cancel a year in advance. A lot can happen, Ms. Sahami said, “but if you think you’re going to go, why not?”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

• Solar Eclipse 2024

See How the Solar Eclipse Will Look Anywhere in America

Today's total solar eclipse will cut a 2,000-mile path across the United States in just over an hour, casting near darkness over a region of more than 200,000 square miles from Texas to Maine. The rest of the continental United States — plus Hawaii and a spot of southern Alaska — will enjoy a consolation prize of partial occlusion. The following interactive simulates what this will look like from any location in the U.S., no special glasses needed .

This eclipse is the second time in seven years that such an astronomical rarity has favored a large part of the nation. The August 2017 total solar eclipse — for which TIME rented a private four-seat plane to document the phenomenon — cut a mirroring path from Oregon to South Carolina.

This means there is 9,286 square-mile quadrangle centered on southern Illinois that the cosmos has favored with two complete solar eclipses in less than a decade. As astrophysical odds go, one envies the residents of this anointed parallelogram.

How the simulation works

TIME's solar eclipse simulation uses coordinates for the sun, Earth, and moon from NASA's industrial-grade SPICE toolkit , which we calculated in the J2000 reference frame centered on the Earth. (Many modern calculations use this pre-Copernican view of the cosmos as a matter of convenience.)

Rather than calculating the exact moment that the eclipse begins and ends for thousands of locations, our simulation uses these coordinates to create a realtime 3D simulation with the same type of computer programming that is common in video games. This includes rotating the viewer's camera in accordance with the Earth's rotation over the course of the eclipse, which accounts for why the moon appears to cut a curved path across the sky.

We took a few small artistic liberties in moderately exaggerating the degree of darkness one witnesses in a partial eclipse by adding a faint ambient light to see the surface of the moon in better detail.

Where the times you see in this simulation differ from other sources of eclipse data by a minute or two, the discrepancy is most likely a small difference in the precise location of the calculation or a slightly different way of accounting for the time it takes the speed of light to travel from the sun to the Earth.

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Write to Chris Wilson at [email protected]