Alex Ruben
How To Steer Clear of Toll Roads Using Google Maps
Traveling can eat into the budget pretty quickly, especially if those toll booths decide to pop up unexpectedly. Luckily, Google Maps has this handy feature to help you dodge toll roads. But, of course, it’s not always obvious where to find these options or how reliable they are. So, here’s a rundown of how to set it up on your phone or on the web—because not everyone uses the same device, and Google likes to hide things behind menus.
Step 1: Open Google Maps
First, launch the app on your device. If you’re on a computer, just head over to https://www.google.com/maps. If you’re on Android or iPhone, and it’s not opening properly, make sure your app is updated because sometimes older versions just don’t have the latest toggles. The icon usually looks like a little map with a red pin.
Step 2: Search for Your Destination
Type in where you wanna go—pretty straightforward. Don’t forget to pick the right suggestion from the dropdown because sometimes the map guesses wrong. It’s kinda weird how sometimes it doesn’t register your exact address first go-round, so double-check that before moving on.
Step 3: Get Directions
Hit that Directions button. You’ll see different transportation modes—car, walking, biking, whatever. Select the car icon only if that’s your plan. Then, the route options pop up—in most cases, Google Maps will suggest what it thinks is fastest, but we want to customize that.
Step 4: Access Route Options
Before hitting the start button, look for those three dots or the gear icon. On some setups, it’s a menu next to the Drive button. Clicking on that gives you extra options, including the ability to tweak your route preferences.
In the app version, you might have to tap Options directly after clicking the three dots. On desktop, it’s a bit more hidden—look for a button that says Route options or similar.
Step 5: Set to Avoid Tolls
Here’s the magic step. Find the Avoid Tolls toggle. On Android and iPhone, it’s usually a checkbox or a switch—flip it on. On the web, it might be a checkbox labeled “Avoid tolls.” This signals Google Maps to reroute you around toll roads whenever possible. Because of course, Google has to make it harder than necessary—sometimes this setting refuses to save and you have to toggle it again after reloading the page or restarting the app. Weird, but it happens.
Also, note: on some setups, you might see options to avoid highways or ferries, which can be handy if you’re into scenic routes or just hate long bridges.
Step 6: Start Your Navigation
Once the avoid tolls switch is active, go back to the main route screen and tap Start. Now, the route displayed should skip toll roads. Sometimes it picks a longer or less direct route—depends on how busy or scenic you want your drive, but usually, it’s pretty accurate about avoiding tolls.
On some machines, the setting works immediately, but on others, you might notice it doesn’t take effect until you restart the app or refresh the page. Yeah, Google seems to love playing hide-and-seek with these settings.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Always double-check the route preview before pressing start. Google might ignore your avoidance preferences if there’s no alternative, or if your area doesn’t have a toll-free route available. Also, keep your app up to date; older versions sometimes cause the options to malfunction.
And if the toggle just isn’t sticking, try clearing the app cache or reinstalling. Sometimes, the settings just get glitchy after an update or if you switch accounts. If all else fails, deleting and reinstalling might fix the problem—though that can be a hassle.
Conclusion
All these steps help avoid tolls and keep your trip budget-friendly. Not exactly fool-proof, but in most cases, turning on Avoid Tolls in route options does the trick. Usually, the next route is a little longer but toll-free, so it’s worth toggling that on if fees are a concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid toll roads on all devices?
Yes, pretty much. The setup is similar whether you’re on iPhone, Android, or just your web browser—just gotta find the route options and toggle that switch. Though, on desktop, it’s sometimes slightly more involved to uncover.
What if Google maps still includes tolls after enabling the option?
Double-check that the Avoid Tolls toggle is really on before you start navigating. If it’s on, but tolls still pop up, try selecting an alternative route manually. Sometimes, Google’s suggestions just ignore your preferences or it’s because there’s no toll-free path in that area. Also, switching to incognito mode or clearing app data sometimes helps reset weird glitches.
Are there other options I can tweak for routes?
Absolutely. You can also avoid highways or ferries in the same menu if you want a more relaxed trip or trying to cut costs on tolls and bridge fees. It’s a bit hit or miss, but worth experimenting with for more customized routing.
Summary
- Launch Google Maps, either app or browser.
- Enter your destination and pick your route.
- Tap the menu (three dots or gear icon), then select Options.
- Turn on Avoid Tolls.
- Start your trip and enjoy the toll-free route.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because let’s be honest—getting around tolls can be a total pain, and Google doesn’t always make it obvious. If it gets one update moving, mission accomplished.