To download a route in Google Maps, you must start turn-by-turn navigation while online, which caches the specific driving directions to your device. There is no "download route" button, and downloading an offline area is not the same as saving a route.
The truth about how to download a route in Google Maps
Google Maps does not have a dedicated "download route" button. The only way to save a specific turn-by-turn route for offline use is to begin navigation while you have an active internet connection. This action caches the route data, including voice guidance and step-by-step instructions, directly to your device. Once cached, the route remains available even if you lose signal mid-journey. If you need full offline reliability for an entire region, you may want to download new maps to garmin nuvi instead.
The difference between offline areas and offline routes
Downloading an offline area lets you browse a region's map data, roads, landmarks, and businesses, without an internet connection. However, this does not include turn-by-turn directions, lane guidance, or real-time traffic updates. A cached route, on the other hand, is a specific set of driving instructions that you started while online. The route guidance is saved to your phone's temporary memory, not as a permanent map download. This is why you can have a route cached without having the surrounding area downloaded.
Step 1: Connect to the internet and set your route
Before you can cache a route, you must be connected to the internet. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network or ensure you have a strong mobile data signal. Open the Google Maps app and enter your starting point and destination. Review the suggested routes and select the one you want to take. You can adjust the route by dragging the blue line or adding stops, but do this before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Start turn-by-turn navigation to cache the route
Tap the "Start" button to begin turn-by-turn navigation. This action triggers Google Maps to download the specific route data, including every turn, street name, and estimated arrival time, to your device's cache. The app will begin voice guidance and display the route on the screen. As long as you remain online for the first few minutes of navigation, the entire route is saved.
Step 3: Keep the app active and avoid changing the route
Once navigation has started, do not cancel the route or request a reroute. The cached route remains available as long as the navigation session is active. If you lose signal, the app will continue to provide turn-by-turn guidance from the cached data. If you stop the navigation or change the destination, the cached route is cleared. To preserve the route for later use, keep the navigation running in the background or do not close the app.
What to do if you need walking or transit routes offline
Google Maps does not cache walking or public transit routes for offline use. The method described above only works for driving directions. If you need walking or transit directions offline, you must use a different app. Apps like Maps.Me provide a robust alternative for offline walking and transit navigation, offering turn-by-turn guidance without an internet connection. To get started, use maps.me offline by downloading compact country-wide vector maps before your trip.
