Custom maps of your trips with Google My Maps: The Complete Guide

Do you know cHow to create custom maps of your trips with Google My Maps? If you love the maps you see on blogs and networks and want to take yours to the next level, with Google My Maps you can create custom maps of your trips to plan, organize, and share your routes like a pro. It's a simple yet powerful Google tool that transforms a map into a live travel plan: points of interest, daily layers, restaurants, walking or driving routes, and much more.

In this practical guide you will see How to create, edit, and get the most out of My Maps: change the basemap style, organize everything with layers, add and customize pins, plot routes in different modes, draw lines and areas, import data from spreadsheets, view maps on your phone, share them via link, embed them on your website, and even export them in KML or KMZ. I'll also explain how to manage them from Google Drive and what to do if you want to collaborate with others.

What is Google My Maps and why you might care

Google My Maps is a sister tool to Google Maps designed to create custom mapsUnlike the simple lists on Google Maps, here you can organize by layer, apply styles, add descriptions, photos, or videos to each point, and even draw routes and areas on the map. For those who love planning, this is a joy: You use it on your computer to prepare your trip and on your mobile phone to consult it. at destination.

It is useful for both travel and other projects: tourist routes, maps with cafes or museums by neighborhood, inventories of company locations, location of urban murals, events, or any set of places you want to clearly visualize and share.

• For personal travel projects, layers allow you to separate by days, by areas, by type of place or by priorities.
• If you run a business, it is very useful for your customers to locate offices, shops or service points take a look.
• It can also be a cool resource for learn geography reinforcing your spatial orientation in a visual and practical way.

What you need and how to access My Maps

To start you just need a google account and a device. Although you can create and edit from your mobile phone via a browser, the most convenient and fastest way to create complex maps is on a computer, where you'll have all the options at your fingertips.

You access from the My Maps website with your session started and, from there, you create or edit Maps. If you want to view them en route, you can see them in the Google Maps app on your phone under the Saved section, then Maps. This distinction is key: My Maps to create and edit, and Google Maps for consultation.

Create your first map step by step

The workflow is very straightforward. The home screen displays your created, viewed, and shared maps. There's also a "My Maps" section. Exploring to discover popular maps and selections from the Google team, in case you want to get inspired.

1. Sign in to My Maps and click on Create a new map.
2. In the top left corner, click on the provisional title "Unnamed Map" to assign a name and description.
3. Find the base location with the search bar above and start adding layers and points of interest.

You'll find an interface very similar to Google Maps, with a column on the left for managing layers and styles, and a toolbar below the search bar with key options: Undo, Redo, Select items, Add marker, Draw line, Add prompts and Measure distances and areas.

Changing the appearance with the Basemap

The Base Map defines the background visual appearance. You have nine styles: classic map, satellite, relief, light political, monochrome with cities, simple atlas, light physical, dark physical, and fast. Choose the one that best suits your project: for example, satellite for landscapes or trails, or clear politician for clean and legible urban routes.

You can change it at any time from the left panel, by displaying the Base Map option and by clicking on the thumbnail of the style you prefer.

Layers: Organize your map like a pro

Layers are the heart of My Maps. In them you group points, routes and areas By theme or by day. For example, one layer for Day 1, another for meals, another for accommodations, and another for "just in case you have time left." This way, you can activate or deactivate information as needed.

When you create a map, My Maps adds a layer by default. You can create new ones with Add layer (limit of 10 layers per map) and reorder them. Each layer can be temporarily hidden with the visibility icon that appears next to their name.

If your city has too many points and you are short on 10 layers, one solution is divide the project into several mapsFor example, one for attractions, another for restaurants, and another for photos. It works wonders in huge cities.

Add and edit points of interest

To add places to the map, use the search bar above. Enter the name of the place, verify that the suggested location is correct and click Add to Map. The point will be saved to the currently active layer.

If the place does not appear, do it manually with the tool Add bookmark (the pin) under the search bar and place it exactly where you want it. You can then edit it as much as you need.

When you click on a pin, you will see its card with options to rename, select color and icon, add a description, insert photos or videos, and even generate directions. Colors and icons help you identify categories at a glance, such as churches, museums, viewpoints, or restaurants.

Pins can be move between layers if you make a mistake when adding them, and unlike the layer limit, there's no practical limit on the number of points per layer that you'll easily reach, so you can build very rich maps without worrying about falling short.

Create routes with directions: on foot, by bike, or by car

In addition to individual points, My Maps allows you to create tours with directions ideal for daily city itineraries or for sections of a road trip. Click on Add directions, choose the transport mode (car, bike or walking) and add stops.

Each layer of indications supports up to 10 points By the way. You can reorder the list, see the total distance and estimated time, and open the step-by-step directions. If the suggested route doesn't suit you, drag the line on the map to force the route to take another route.

This manual adjustment is gold for routes scenic drives When you don't want the fastest route suggested by Google by default, but rather a pretty secondary road or coastal area. The same goes for walking along charming pedestrian streets.

Draw lines and areas, and measure distances

The Draw Line tool is used to draw free lines, routes by hand or delimit areas. It's perfect for marking neighborhood perimeters, event areas, or an approximate coverage area.

With the tool Measure distances and areas (ruler icon) you can quickly find out lengths and areas. Assign a name and description to each element, and customize the color and opacity. If you make a mistake, use Undo or Redo to go one step back or forward.

Some practical uses: showing the route of a race, where a procession will go, which streets will be closed due to construction or the area of ​​a beach where you want to search for nearby accommodations.

View maps you can't edit and preview mode

Sometimes you'll open a foreign map in viewer mode. In this case, you won't be able to change it, but you can search within the map, show or hide layers, activate satellite view, share, export or print it.

If you want to see one of your maps in the viewer, use preview. And if you need to edit a map that is not yours, you will have to request permission from the ownerIn many cases, an invitation with editor access resolves the collaboration.

How to view and manage your maps from your computer

When you create a map, it is saved in My Google DriveFrom there, you can open it, move it to folders, rename it, search for it by title, or share it. You can also access it from My Maps and edit it with a click.

To get better organized, you can set the default view of the map, duplicate it, export it to KML or KMZ or use the preview to show it without editing mode.

Delete maps and manage ownership

If you no longer need a map, move it to the trash from the more options menu in My Maps with Move to Trash. Please note that it is not completely deleted until you empty the google drive trash.

If you shared it with more people, think about ownership: if you delete a map that you own, others will no longer have access if it's in your trash. If you want the project to stay alive, transfers ownership before deleting it. If you delete a map that belongs to someone else, it will only disappear from your view.

Using My Maps on mobile and offline options

To view maps on your mobile, open the Google Maps app, go to Saved and then Maps. There you'll see your most recently created or saved maps. You can also open them from your mobile browser by copying the map link from Drive and pasting it into the browser bar.

And offline? It's possible with nuances: download the Google Maps app beforehand. offline map of the area you want to visit and open My Map online at least once. Still, to avoid any surprises, it's best to have data connection while traveling (an eSIM or local SIM is usually the most convenient option).

For years there was a specific My Maps app, but Google removed it in 2021Today, creation and editing are done from the browser, while browsing is more convenient from the Google Maps app. It's a good compromise: all advanced features are available in the web version.

Share, embed, and print your map

To share it, press the button Share at the top left. You can invite by email or generate a link. Adjust the permissions so that invited people just look the map or can edit it. If you choose the link, set it so anyone with the link can see it.

If you have a website or blog, you can insert the map from the more options menu with Insert on my site. You can also export it to KML or KMZ to take it to other apps like Maps.me or GIS tools, or print/save it as a PDF for a quick copy.

Import data: speed up your workflow with spreadsheets

If you manage lists of places in a spreadsheet, you can import CSV or XLSX to create pins in bulk with coordinates, names, and descriptions. My Maps also accepts KML and GPX If you're coming from other apps or a GPS. Ideal for large cities or collaborative projects.

Quick features you'll love

• Draw: Add dots or shapes anywhere to mark areas or enclosures.
• Search: Find places and save them directly to your map.
• Import: Generate complete maps from a spreadsheet in seconds.
• Personalize: colors and icons, more photos and videos to enrich your pins.

Productivity Shortcuts and Toolbar

Below the search bar you'll see the key tools bar. Use it to Undo and Redo changes, selecting elements by hand, dropping pins, drawing lines, creating directions, and measuring areas. It's the nerve center for working with precision.

In the left panel you can rename the map and each layer with clear titles, apply individual styles to point sets and open a quick preview. Keeping it clean and tidy helps a lot as the map grows.

Use cases and best practices

For urban itineraries, a very useful technique is to create one layer per day with a different color and an icon for each type (museums, viewpoints, churches, restaurants, etc.). This way, you can identify everything at a glance and activate only what you need at any given time.

On road trips, layer up car tours with pin layers for interesting stops. If your route has many sections, divide the segments into several layers by day or region to avoid hitting the 10-point limit on directions.

For larger destinations where 10 layers are not enough, divide the work into several complementary mapsFor example, one for "what to see," another for "where to eat," and another for "photographs." It's easier to manage and consult.

If you are going to share the map with friends or family, define from the beginning if they will be able to edit or just viewYou'll avoid version conflicts and maintain order. And if you plan to delete it but others are using it, transfer ownership first.

View your maps and open them from Google Maps

On computer, the maps are in Google Drive and you can open them from there or from My Maps. On mobile, go to the app Google Maps, go to Saved and tap Maps to open them in full screen. In mobile view, the menu see legend allows you to access sharing options via email, messaging, or networks.

If you prefer, you can open a map from your mobile browser: go to Drive, copy the map link and open it in your browser. It's not as convenient as using the app, but it can help you out if you need to share quickly.

When to use My Maps and when to use Google Maps lists

For detailed planning, My Maps is unsurpassed for its layers, icons and styles, in addition to collaboration and export options. However, if you want something ultra-agile for editing on the go, the lists of saved places Google Maps may be sufficient and faster from mobile.

Keep in mind that My Maps has a limited set of functions. For advanced analysis, geoprocessing, or complex visualizations, it's best to work with a GIS tool more powerful. My Maps excels at planning, visualization, and simple communication.

Extra tips and details that make the difference

Use clear names on layers and pins, add descriptions with schedules and prices When applicable, use your own photos to help you identify places. If you share a map of a trip, your companions will appreciate it.

Don't forget that you can print the map or export it to other apps. And if you like to explore, check out the Explore section of My Maps for inspiration from popular maps and team curated content.

Finally, planning is important, but so is traveling with peace of mind. Consider having reliable data connection and good travel insurance. It's not part of My Maps, but it does offer a hassle-free experience.

If you want to continue learning more about Google Maps and its tools, we've got another guide for you, although you'll find plenty more if you use the search engine: What does the 'Z' mean in Google Maps and how does it affect navigation?

With all of the above, you now have a solid foundation for creating maps that truly solve your trip. From setting styles and organize by layers From sharing them via link or embedding them on your website, My Maps is a simple and comprehensive tool that, when used properly, turns your ideas into a visual, practical, and collaborative plan ready to be enjoyed. We hope you now know how to create custom maps of your trips with Google My Maps.