How to Bypass the 10-Stop Limit on Google Maps: The Complete Tutorial

By The Advised Traveler Team
Last Updated: December 27, 2025
Read Time: 13 minutes

Are you trying to create a route with more than 10 stops on Google Maps for your next epic road trip? It is entirely possible thanks to Google My Maps and several advanced techniques that bypass the standard 10-stop restriction. Unlike the basic Google Maps tool, these alternative solutions allow you to plan unlimited routes for your long-distance adventures.

Ambitious travelers can now organize detailed circuits across vast regions without technical constraints. This comprehensive guide reveals every method to overcome this limit: from optimizing Google My Maps to multi-segment planning tricks, as well as essential complementary tools. Discover how to transform your complex travel plans into fluid, perfectly organized itineraries.

Table of Contents

Understanding how Google Maps works for travel planning
The basics of creating a route on Google Maps
What are the current limits of Google Maps for routes?
Easily bypassing the 10-stop limit on Google Maps
Using Google My Maps to create a multi-stop itinerary
Adding up to 20 stops (or more) on Google Maps
Method using the “More than 10” extension for Google Maps
How to manually add extra stops on Google Maps
Measuring distances and optimizing your travel itinerary
How to display distances and durations on Google My Maps
Optimizing Google Maps routes to save time while traveling
Integrating and using your Google Maps route in a GPS
Exporting a Google Maps route to KML or KMZ format
Converting a Google Maps KML file to GPX for GPS
Exploring even more options for trip planning with Google My Maps
Opening and viewing a My Maps file in Google Maps
Complementary apps and tools to enrich your travels

Understanding how Google Maps works for travel planning

Before diving deeper into route creation, it is essential to understand how Google Maps operates. This free tool, designed for everyday users, allows you to plan trips, find points of interest, and get real-time information on traffic or opening hours.

With its ability to guide you through personalized itineraries for your trips, Google Maps has become a staple for travelers worldwide. However, as many have already noticed, the tool has limitations when it comes to managing multiple stops. This limit forces many travelers to seek alternative solutions for planning long or complex journeys.

The basics of creating a route on Google Maps

Creating a route with more than 10 stops on Google Maps requires understanding the limitations of the classic tool. Planning begins simply by searching for your starting point and main destination, then adding intermediate stops (waypoints) to customize your journey.

Unfortunately, Google Maps restricts users to only 10 stops maximum, a frustrating limitation for travelers wishing to explore multiple cities, countries, or attractions during their trip. This technical constraint pushes many globetrotters to look for alternatives to optimize their complex circuits.

For more complex journeys, this limit quickly becomes an obstacle for those who want to prepare a comprehensive road trip or an itinerary covering numerous stages without having to create multiple distinct maps. But rest assured, there are ways to bypass this restriction and simplify the management of your long, multi-stop trips.

What are the current limits of Google Maps for routes?

One of the main drawbacks of Google Maps lies in its limitation to 10 stops per route. This means that for road trips or long-distance travel, it becomes necessary to split your planning into several itineraries or seek replacement solutions. If your route exceeds this limit, you will be forced to create a new map for each set of 10 stops.

This can make the planning experience quite laborious, especially for those looking to visualize their entire trip at once. Although Google Maps offers a multitude of options to explore a route, this limitation can hinder the overall experience of preparing a bespoke trip.

Easily bypassing the 10-stop limit on Google Maps

Fortunately, several methods allow you to create a route with more than 10 stops on Google Maps by bypassing classic limitations. Google My Maps represents the most accessible solution, offering an advanced version that allows for much more flexible route customization than the standard tool.

This platform completely eliminates the stop count restriction, allowing travelers to freely plan multi-day circuits or transcontinental road trips. My Maps thus becomes the ideal alternative for anyone looking to optimize complex routes without technical constraints.

This guide will explain in detail how to use Google My Maps to create unlimited itineraries and share your maps easily. By combining this option with external tools like “More than 10,” you can finally exceed the limits imposed by the traditional Google tool.

Using Google My Maps to create a multi-stop itinerary

Google My Maps offers a richer interface than standard Google Maps and allows for the creation of routes with numerous stops without limiting you to 10. For travelers planning touring vacations, road trips, or complex sightseeing circuits, this tool is particularly useful.

By using Google My Maps, you can add hundreds of points of interest, customize your stops, add descriptions, and even integrate photos. It effectively becomes a digital travel journal, ideal for those who want a comprehensive overview of their itinerary before embarking on their adventure.

Adding up to 20 stops (or more) on Google Maps

One of the most notable advantages of Google My Maps is the ability to add 20 stops and even more if necessary using layers. This allows for planning complex trips covering multiple cities, regions, or even countries. By using My Maps, you will no longer be restricted by the number of stops imposed by the classic version of Google Maps.

You will be able to visualize your entire journey on a single map and add extra stops at your convenience. For example, a road trip across Europe or a journey across America becomes much easier to organize with such flexibility. You can even integrate public transport options or train journeys between certain legs of the trip.

Method using the “More than 10” extension for Google Maps

Another method to bypass the 10-stop limit involves using a browser extension called “More than 10“. This extension allows you to easily add more than 10 stops to your Google Maps routes without having to switch to Google My Maps.

Once installed, this extension automatically handles adding extra stops to your Google map without altering your user experience. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer to keep the traditional Google Maps interface while benefiting from an extended itinerary. This solution is simple, fast, and ideal for travelers in a hurry.

How to manually add extra stops on Google Maps

If you prefer not to use external tools or extensions, another option is to add stops manually using layers in Google My Maps. Although this technically respects the limits per layer, you can create multiple distinct route layers and manage them as sections of your overall trip.

For example, you can split a long road trip into several layers, each with a maximum of 10 stops, and then combine them to get a global overview of your itinerary. This method is particularly useful for those who want to see their complete journey while respecting Google Maps’ limitations.

Practical tip: always start the next layer with the last stop of the previous layer. You can thus add as many layers as you wish consecutively while maintaining continuity in the route.

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Measuring distances and optimizing your travel itinerary

One of the great strengths of Google Maps and Google My Maps lies in their ability to measure distances between your stops and adjust your itinerary accordingly. By visualizing distances and durations, you can better organize your days and plan stops to rest or explore tourist sites.

This feature helps you choose the best routes to optimize your trip, saving time and avoiding unnecessary detours. This is particularly practical for long-distance travel where every minute counts. With these tools, you can also adjust your schedule based on real-time traffic conditions.

How to display distances and durations on Google My Maps

On Google My Maps, you can display not only the stops of your trip but also the distances and durations associated with each segment of your itinerary. This allows for a complete view of the time you will spend between each leg of the journey.

By using this information, you can adjust your plans to ensure you stick to your schedule, especially if you have specific activities or reservations planned at certain times. Route optimization becomes child’s play, offering you the chance to fully enjoy your trip.

Optimizing Google Maps routes to save time while traveling

One of the key elements of a successful trip is optimizing your routes to avoid wasting time on the road. Thanks to Google Maps and Google My Maps, you can not only plan multiple itineraries but also take into account external factors like real-time traffic, weather conditions, and road incidents. This allows you to choose faster or less crowded routes, depending on your preferences and the nature of your trip.

If you are going on a road trip or traveling in a region where distances can be significant, route optimization becomes crucial to make your journey more enjoyable and less stressful. By using advanced features like estimated driving times, you can also better manage your breaks and adjust your itinerary based on current conditions.

Integrating and using your Google Maps route in a GPS

Once you have created your route on Google Maps or Google My Maps, it can be very useful to integrate it into your GPS for real-time tracking. Most modern navigation systems allow importing routes from Google Maps or files like KML or GPX, offering you more precise navigation during your trip.

This option is particularly useful during road trips or travel through unfamiliar areas where the route might be less clear. Thanks to integration with external GPS devices, you can follow your route without constantly looking at your phone, making your experience safer and smoother. Integrating a route into a GPS also allows you to adjust in case of last-minute changes to your travel schedule.

Exporting a Google Maps route to KML or KMZ format

A key feature of Google My Maps is the ability to export your routes in KML or KMZ format. These file formats allow you to easily transfer your itinerary to other navigation apps or GPS systems. The KML (Keyhole Markup Language) format is widely used for importing custom maps into third-party software, while the KMZ format is simply a compressed version of KML.

By exporting your route in one of these formats, you can use it on platforms like Garmin, TomTom, or even travel mapping apps that are not directly compatible with Google Maps. This allows you to keep a copy of your itinerary in case of disconnection or unforeseen events during your trip.

Converting a Google Maps KML file to GPX for GPS

If you wish to transfer your Google Maps route to more specialized GPS devices, you will likely need to convert your route to GPX format. The GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is widely used by GPS navigation devices to import routes and points of interest.

Many online tools and apps allow you to easily convert a KML or KMZ file into a GPX file, which can then be imported into specialized navigation systems. This method is particularly useful for those who prefer using dedicated GPS units during long-term travel or in remote areas where mobile connection might be limited.

Exploring even more options for trip planning with Google My Maps

In addition to its route planning function, Google My Maps allows you to discover and explore new places by giving you total control over customizing your map. You can add detailed information about each stop, such as tourist attractions, recommended restaurants, or even accommodations.

This option allows you not only to plan an optimal route but also to personalize your trip according to your tastes and interests. By creating a rich and detailed map on My Maps, you will have a practical travel tool to consult throughout your journey, whether in Europe, Asia, or any other destination.

Opening and viewing a My Maps file in Google Maps

Once you have created your custom itinerary on Google My Maps, you can easily open it in the standard Google Maps app for simpler navigation on the go. This function allows you to display your custom map directly within the familiar Google Maps interface, making planning and tracking your trip much more intuitive.

You can thus view your route, get driving directions, and consult details of each stop while being guided by Google Maps’ advanced features. This simplifies the transition between preparing your road trip on a desktop and navigating on the ground, all while allowing you to keep track of every stage of your journey.

Complementary apps and tools to enrich your travels

Besides Google Maps and Google My Maps, there are many other useful apps and tools to optimize your trip. Apps like Roadtrippers (get $5 off with our promo code BTR5QTP) or Komoot offer advanced features for road trip planning and can be used to complement your Google itineraries. These tools can help discover scenic routes, hidden points of interest, and even unique accommodation options.

Apps like Waze offer real-time traffic information and can help you adjust your route based on traffic conditions. These additional tools help make your trip even smoother, enriching the overall experience and facilitating the management of your itinerary, whether local or international.

👉 Once your itinerary is well planned on Google Maps, all that’s left is to prepare for departure! Whether you’re heading to the other side of the world or for a road trip closer to home, remember to check flight prices in advance: this can make a real difference to your budget.

👉 And to travel with peace of mind, don’t forget to get suitable travel insurance. In case of the unexpected, you’ll be covered, allowing you to fully enjoy every step… with no stress, just adventure.

Google Maps FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about My Maps, KML and Limitations

How do I create a custom map on Google Maps?

To create a custom map, access Google My Maps from your Google account and click on “Create a new map”. You can then add markers, draw routes, import data, and customize colors and icons. Created maps are automatically saved in Google Drive and can be shared with other users. This feature is ideal for planning trips, organizing events, or presenting professional geographical data.

Why doesn’t Google Maps work offline?

Google Maps requires an internet connection to access real-time mapping data, traffic information, and navigation services. However, you can download specific areas for limited offline use via the “Offline maps” option in the settings. Downloaded maps allow basic navigation but without traffic updates or updated business information. This technical limitation ensures access to the most recent data when a connection is available.

Why don’t I have the ‘Start’ option on Google Maps anymore?

The “Start” (navigation) option might appear missing or behave differently due to the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, effective March 7, 2024. This regulation forced Google to modify the integration of Maps within its search engine results. If you are in Europe, or using a European version of Google, Maps is no longer directly linked from the main Google Search results page to foster fair competition among mapping services. You must access the maps.google.com URL or the app directly.

Is there a limit on Google My Maps?

Google My Maps does not set a limit on the number of custom maps you can create. You have total freedom to organize your mapping projects according to your needs. This flexibility allows users to manage multiple thematic maps simultaneously, whether for professional, personal, or educational purposes. The tool adapts perfectly to varied collaborative mapping needs.

How many points can be added on Google Maps?

Each Google My Maps map accepts up to 10,000 features (lines, shapes, or places) with a maximum of 50,000 points total per map. These technical limits ensure optimal performance when viewing and manipulating geographical data. For projects requiring more elements, it is recommended to split the data into several thematic maps.

How to merge layers in Google My Maps?

Merging layers in Google My Maps is best done by importing data from Google Sheets or CSV files. This method preserves the visual styles applied to your data while allowing content updates. Several synchronization options are available to effectively combine different data layers. This feature facilitates the management of complex maps containing multiple sources of geographical information.

How many pins can I add to a Google map?

A Google My Maps map supports up to 10,000 features distributed between lines, shapes, and places of interest. Each individual layer can contain a maximum of 2,000 elements to keep things organized. This capacity allows for creating detailed maps for large-scale projects while maintaining smooth performance. The limitation per layer encourages a logical structuring of geographical data.

Why does Google Maps no longer propose the shortest route?

Google Maps now prioritizes the most fuel-efficient (eco-friendly) route rather than strictly the shortest or fastest one by default in many regions. This evolution responds to growing environmental concerns by proposing routes optimized to reduce carbon footprint. The algorithm analyzes traffic conditions, fuel consumption, and emissions to suggest sustainable alternatives. This approach reflects Google’s commitment to more environmentally respectful mobility.

Why do place name searches no longer lead to the online map?

The disappearance of the direct Google Maps link/preview from Google search results is a consequence of the European Digital Markets Act. This regulation aims to improve competition in the digital sector by limiting the preferential integration of Google services. European users must now access Google Maps directly via its dedicated URL or app. This measure favors competitive fairness among different mapping service providers.

How to merge two layers into one on Google My Maps?

There isn’t a direct “merge button” in the interface, but you can export one layer as a KML/KMZ file and then import it into the other layer (or a new layer). This allows you to combine geographical data from different sources effectively.

What is a KMZ file?

A KMZ file is a compressed geographical data format, similar to traditional ZIP archives. It groups KML files and their associated resources (images, icons) into a single container to facilitate sharing and downloading. This compression significantly reduces the size of complex map data. The KMZ format is commonly used with Google Earth, Google Maps, and other professional mapping applications.

What is a KML file?

The KML (Keyhole Markup Language) format represents an XML standard for displaying geographical and mapping information. It allows storing coordinates, descriptions, visual styles, and media in a structured format readable by many applications. KML files integrate perfectly into Google Earth, ArcGIS Pro, and other geomatics software. This open format facilitates the exchange of geospatial data between different platforms.

Can Google Maps open a KMZ file?

Google Maps and Google Earth natively support opening KML and KMZ files for displaying custom geographical data. These formats allow importing maps, routes, points of interest, and geographical zones created with other tools. Extensive compatibility facilitates interoperability between different digital mapping solutions.

Can I import KMZ into Google Maps?

Importing KMZ files into Google Maps is done via Google My Maps by clicking on “Create a new map” then “Import” on a new layer. The interface offers several upload options: from your computer, Google Drive, or via a direct URL. Once imported, the KMZ file automatically displays its geographical data on your custom map. This feature allows for easy integration of external mapping data into the Google Maps ecosystem.

How to Bypass the 10-Stop Limit on Google Maps: The Complete Tutorial

Understanding how Google Maps works for travel planning

The basics of creating a route on Google Maps

What are the current limits of Google Maps for routes?

Easily bypassing the 10-stop limit on Google Maps

Using Google My Maps to create a multi-stop itinerary

Adding up to 20 stops (or more) on Google Maps

Method using the “More than 10” extension for Google Maps

How to manually add extra stops on Google Maps

Measuring distances and optimizing your travel itinerary

How to display distances and durations on Google My Maps

Optimizing Google Maps routes to save time while traveling

Integrating and using your Google Maps route in a GPS

Exporting a Google Maps route to KML or KMZ format

Converting a Google Maps KML file to GPX for GPS

Exploring even more options for trip planning with Google My Maps

Opening and viewing a My Maps file in Google Maps

Complementary apps and tools to enrich your travels

Google Maps FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about My Maps, KML and Limitations

How do I create a custom map on Google Maps?

Why doesn’t Google Maps work offline?

Why don’t I have the ‘Start’ option on Google Maps anymore?

Is there a limit on Google My Maps?

How many points can be added on Google Maps?

How to merge layers in Google My Maps?

How many pins can I add to a Google map?

Why does Google Maps no longer propose the shortest route?

Why do place name searches no longer lead to the online map?

How to merge two layers into one on Google My Maps?

What is a KMZ file?

What is a KML file?

Can Google Maps open a KMZ file?

Can I import KMZ into Google Maps?

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