How to Avoid Highways on Google Maps on PC or Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Google Maps on your computer to get directions that don’t include highways.

Steps

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    Go to https://maps.google.com in a web browser. You can use any web browser, such as Safari or Firefox, to access Google Maps on your computer.
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    Click the blue arrow. It’s next to the search box at the top-left corner of the page.
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    Click Choose starting point or click on the map. It’s the first blank in the blue box at the top-left corner of Maps.
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    Enter an address or click a starting point. This is the location where you are now, or from where you’ll be leaving.
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    Click Choose destination. It’s the second blank at the top-left corner of Maps.
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    Enter an address or click a destination. Maps will now calculate directions to the destination from the selected starting point.
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    Click the car icon. This ensures that you’re looking at driving directions instead of walking or public transport.
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    Click OPTIONS. It’s at the bottom of the blue box at the top-left corner of maps.
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    Check the box next to “Highways” under the “Avoid” header. If you also want to avoid tolls or ferries, check the boxes next to those options.
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    Click CLOSE. Your driving directions will now appear without highways or turnpikes included.

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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 1,666 times.
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Co-authors: 1
Updated: January 14, 2018
Views: 1,666
Categories: Google Maps