Google Maps Walking Directions: The Complete Guide

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Change Google Maps to "walking" for a pedestrian-friendly route

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Mobile App

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Web

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Get Walking Directions Offline

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Q&A

If you plan to walk to your destination, use Google Maps to get walking directions. With the Google Maps mobile app, you can get turn-by-turn voice directions, or try Live View to see directions in your camera as you walk. You can also get walking directions on a computer and send them to your phone or printer. There's even a workaround to get walking directions offline. Here's how to use Google Maps to get walking directions to any location.

Walking Directions on Google Maps: Quick Steps

Enter your destination in Google Maps and tap Directions. To switch to walking directions, tap the person icon at the top. Choose a route and tap Steps to view walking directions. For live navigation, tap Start or Live View.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Mobile App

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Open the Google Maps app and enter your destination. Tap the search box at the top, then enter the address or name of your destination. When it appears in the search results, tap to select it. Alternatively, tap a location on the map to drop a pin where you want to go.
- You can choose multiple destinations if you'd like.
You'll see this just below the address of your destination.

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Select the Walking icon as your mode of transportation. By default, Maps defaults to driving directions. Since you’re planning on walking, tap the pedestrian icon on the toolbar above the map.
- By default, your starting location is your current location. If you'll be starting from somewhere else, tap the Your location box at the top to enter your starting address.
You may be given several options on routes you can take, each identified with its own duration and distance. Tap the duration to see the route.
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Swipe up on the white bar to see walking directions. The selected route's duration appears in the white bar at the bottom—drag up from that white bar until you can see the walking directions. Alternatively, you can tap Steps at the bottom to view turn-by-turn directions from your starting location to your destination.
- Each step will clearly indicate the direction you have to take, which street you should be on, and the distance you must walk.
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Get live turn-by-turn directions as you walk. When it's time to start your walk:^{[1]
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- To get standard turn-by-turn voice navigation, similar to how you'd get voice driving directions, tap Start.
- Alternatively, tap Live View, and point your camera in front of you to see directions in the viewfinder. This allows you to see directions on what you're actually looking at in the real world, as well as see yourself on a map.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Web

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Enter your destination in Google Maps. Go to https://maps.google.com in your web browser, then type the address or name of your destination into the search bar at the top-left. When the correct location appears, click to select it as your destination.
- Alternatively, you can click a location on the map.
This is the blue and white arrow icon below your destination.
If location services are enabled, your current location will already appear in the top-left area of the page as your starting location. If not, or if you're starting your walk from somewhere different, enter the starting address into the field at the top-left corner and press Enter or Return
To do this, click the icon of a pedestrian walking in the row of icons above your starting location. This refreshes the map to display directions for walking.
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Select a route to view walking directions. Depending on where you're walking, you may be given several route options, each identified with its own duration and distance. Click the routes to view them on the map and see directions. The shortest route is selected by default.
- You can enter multiple destinations if you'd like.
- Each step will clearly indicate the streets you should turn on and the distance you have to walk.
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Take your walking directions with you (optional). Now that you have walking directions, you have a few options for bringing them with you on your walk:
- If you have an Android or iPhone with Google Maps installed, click the icon of a smartphone with an arrow to send the directions to your phone. On your phone, tap the notification from Google Maps to view the walking directions and even get turn-by-turn navigation.
- Alternatively, you can print the walking directions and take them with you. Click the printer icon above the directions, choose whether to Print including maps or Print text only, click Print, and choose your printer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Get Walking Directions Offline

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1
Tap your profile photo or initial at the top-right corner of Google Maps. Technically, it's not possible to get walking directions without an internet connection—this is frustrating when you're traveling and don't want to use data or roaming. However, this workaround is pretty close.
- You'll need internet access to download the maps in advance.
This displays any offline maps you've already downloaded and the option to select a new one.
It's the option at the top.
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Select your map area and tap Download. This saves a map of the selected area to your phone.
- You won't need an internet connection for the rest of this method.
Type the address of the place you're walking to, or tap a location on the map.
As you will see, if walking directions are selected, you'll see "Can't find a way there" because you're offline.
Unlike walking directions, driving directions are available, and you can modify them to be more similar to walking directions.
This gives you the chance to choose some preferences for your walking route.
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Choose the options most suitable for walking. This isn't perfect, but it's better than trying to use driving directions while walking. Here's what we recommend:
- Enable both "Avoid highways" and "Avoid ferries." With these two options on, Google will provide a more pedestrian-friendly route. No freeways, and no boats to drive your car on.
  - If there is a pedestrian-friendly ferry on your route, you should not enable "Avoid ferries."
- "Avoid tolls" usually doesn't matter either way, but there are some situations in which you should disable this. For example, if you're crossing a border with a toll for cars but not pedestrians, having "Avoid tolls" on would not send you through the crossing.
- Disable "Prefer fuel-efficient routes." If you're driving, this option might give you a longer route if Google thinks it'll save you gas. Since you're walking, it's not worth the risk.
- Tap the back button when you're finished.
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Tap Start for navigation, or Steps to view directions. Even though there's no specific option for walking directions when you're offline, choosing the recommended options will help you on your walking route.
- Unlike when connected to the internet, you cannot use Live View for walking navigation offline.
- Your preferences will stay as you've set them until you change them manually. So, when you're driving, reset any options needed.

Community Q&A

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Question

Can I get walking directions on Google Maps?

Community Answer

Yes, you can select "walking."

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