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How to Plan a Road Trip with Google Maps: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

This post was originally published on August 8, 2021, and updated on February 16, 2023.

Ready to start planning your road trip using the power of Google Maps?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

Google has two amazing tools to help you plan your road trip: Google Maps and Google My Maps.

Google Maps is a great tool for plotting out your route, while Google My Maps is an amazing tool for road trip planning and organization.

In this post, I’ll teach you how and when to use each of these powerful free tools.

Let’s start by looking at Google Maps since it’s the simpler of the two.

But if you are looking for how to use Google My Maps, then click here .

How to Use Google Maps to Plot Your Road Trip Route

Google Maps is a great tool if you want to plot out your road trip route.

We use it as a starting point for all of our road trip planning to get a sense of how long our trip will be or what we can accomplish in the time we have.

Step 1: Open Google Maps

Start by opening up Google Maps on your desktop or phone.

When trip planning, we like to use our desktop computers to make use of the bigger screen.

Step 2: Plot Your Road Trip Route

To start plotting your road trip route, click on directions.

Then enter your starting point and your first destination.

Continue to add stops to your road trip by clicking on the (+) to add destinations.

Stop when you have all your road trip stops added to your map. Google Maps allows you to add up to 10 points to your map. If you want to add more, then Google My Maps is the tool for you.

Step 3: Reorder Road Trips Stops

If you want to play around with your route and reorder your stops, Google Maps makes it easy to do so.

On the left, where your stops are listed, you can drag and drop the stops to reorder them.

Step 4: Move the Driving Route

Google Maps will choose the fastest route between your road trip stops. But sometimes, there may be a scenic route you want to take.

You can easily move your driving route as desired by dragging and dropping your route.

Step 5: Send the Driving Route to Your Phone

Once you plan your road trip, you can send the directions to your phone for easy access during your trip. Directions can be sent via text message or email.

Note: You will have to have a Google Account to send directions to your phone.

Google Maps is a great starting point for planning a road trip.

But if you want to harness the power of Google and use it to plan your road trip and as a resource throughout your trip, Google My Maps is the choice for you.

Google My Maps: The Best Road Trip Planning Tool

Planning a road trip can be a daunting task. It’s hard to know where to start, and all the research can feel overwhelming. But that is where the ultimate road trip planning tool, Google My Maps, comes to the rescue.

Google My Maps is a very similar tool to traditional Google Maps, but it’s much more powerful and customizable.

In this section, we’ll start with detailed information on the features of Google My Maps. And then, we’ll get into exactly how we use Google My Maps to plan each one of our road trips.

Using this tool will help you seamlessly organize and plan your road trip.

Once we tried it, we never looked back.

Let’s start by giving you a little introduction to Google My Maps.

What is Google My Maps?

Google My Maps utilizes all of the data in Google Maps to allow you to create your very own custom map for your road trip. It’s a way for you to create a map containing the places important to you .

Once you create your map, you can access all of the personalized information you’ve added, so you never miss a beat while on the road.

Why is Google My Maps the Ultimate Road Trip Planning Tool?

Google My Maps is our favorite tool for planning a road trip. Here is why:

• It Helps You Visualize Your Trip Plotting all of your points of interest on a map helps see how your road trip may take shape. At the start of road trip planning, we typically have no idea what route we may take until we see all of the things we want to do on a map. And this is where Google My Maps can help.
• It Helps Organize Your Research When planning a road trip, you are likely gathering information from many sources, including websites, tourist bureaus, and recommendations from friends and family. Google My Maps can help you organize all of your research so you can more easily plan your road trip itinerary.
• It Consolidates Your Entire Itinerary Using Google My Maps allows you to have all of your road trip information in one place. There will be no need for a separate spreadsheet with your day-to-day itinerary or to bring your travel books with you.

What Are the Limitations of Google My Maps?

• Google My Maps Can Not Be Used Offline You will need access to wifi or cellular data to use your map on your road trip. But don’t let that stop you from using it to plan your road trip. There are ways to download your map to other apps for offline use, which I’ll take you through in the tutorial.
• You Can Only Add 2,000 Locations to Your Map Likely, you will not need over 2,000 locations when planning your road trip. And if you do, you can make separate maps, possibly divided by days or weeks, to get around this limitation.
• You Can Only Add 10 Layers to Your Map Layers are ways to categorize your location points. When using Google My Maps, you can only have ten layers per map.
• Planned Routes Can Not Be Accessed for Driving Directions on Google Maps When planning your trip, you may add a direction layer on your map to display the route you plan to take. Unfortunately, you can not use those directions to give you turn-by-turn navigation on your road trip. You’ll have to use Google Maps or click on a destination point on your custom Google My Map to bring up directions. I go through this in detail here .

How to Use Google My Maps to Plan a Road Trip

Now that you know why Google My Maps is the best road trip planning tool, let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of Google My Maps.

We’ll start with an in-depth overview and then show you exactly how we use Google My Maps to plan our road trips. Use the screenshots I’ve provided to help guide you through all of the steps.

Overview of Google My Maps

If you want to know how we use Google My Maps to plan our road trips, then feel free to skip down to the step-by-step guide for planning a road trip here .

But if you want to learn the ins and out of Google My Maps, this is where to start.

You can start from the beginning or jump to the section you want to learn more about by clicking on the links below.

Here is what we will cover to familiarize you with how Google My Maps works so you can start road trip planning like a boss.

Google My Maps Layout

• Markers/Locations

Google My Maps allows you to add locations and driving directions to your map while allowing you to organize them as you wish.

To get started, let’s get familiar with the layout of Google My Maps.

I suggest creating your first Google My Map and playing around with the functions of the map to help you get familiar with them.

Note: You must either create a Google Account or sign in to your Google account to start using Google My Maps .

Location Markers

Location markers are points that you add to a map. They can be things like restaurants, hotels, sights-to-see, bathroom stops, etc.

Find things to do along your route with our Favorite Tools to Find Things to Do Along Your Road Trip Route .

Each point you add to a map will include any information that Google already has for that point.

These include things like:

• GPS coordinates
• Website address
• Phone Number

Three Ways to Add Markers to Your Google My Map

You can add markers to your road trip map in three ways:

• Using the search function
• Selecting a Point already on Google Maps to add to your own map
• Add a point manually

Let’s look at how to do all three.

Search Function

You can find a marker by typing in the name, address, or GPS coordinates into the search bar.

Adding a Marker That is Already on Google Maps

Google Maps already has many markers in its database. When you zoom into an area, many points of interest will start to show up. If any of these markers look appealing to you, you can add them to your own map by clicking on them.

Adding a Marker Manually

You may need to add markers manually when you can not find them via the search function and don’t have the location’s GPS coordinates.

For example, sometimes, I struggle to find the exact location of a trailhead via the search bar. In these cases, I find the location of the trailhead via a different resource and plot it on the map myself.

Color Code and Change the Icons of Your Markers

To keep your map organized, you’ll want to customize and color-code your icons to help you group locations together.

Luckily, Google lets you fully customize your markers.

Map layers are a great way to organize your maps.

But before we dive into adding layers, let’s talk about map layers.

What are Map Layers?

A map layer is a set of markers that are layered on top of an existing map. You can see your different layers on the left-hand side of your map.

When you add a marker to a map, Google My Maps will add it to a layer. You can then use these layers to organize your map.

The added marker will appear on the selected layer. If you want to move a marker to a different layer, click and drag that marker to the desired layer.

For example, I made a map of Wisconsin Campgrounds to help me find campgrounds nearby during our road trips.

I have chosen to use separate layers for different types of campgrounds; National Forests, State Parks, and County Parks.

The benefit of using separate layers versus adding all of the campgrounds to a single layer is that I can check and uncheck specific layers depending on what information I want to see on my map.

If I don’t want to see the State Parks on my map, I can uncheck “Wisconsin State Parks,” and they will not be plotted on my map until I recheck the box.

How to Add Layers

Within Google My Maps, you can have up to 10 layers on a single map.

To add layers, click on “add layer” on the left-hand side of your map just below the map title and description.

Google My Maps then adds an “untitled layer” to your map.

To change the title, click on “Untitled layer,” and it will give you the option to rename the layer.

The current layer selected will have a solid vertical blue bar on the left side of the layer panel. Any new markers created will be added to the selected layer.

You can use Google My Maps to plot your driving route. Unfortunately, you can’t use these routes for navigation in Google Maps. This is one of the downfalls of Google My Maps.

But that is not to say that adding driving directions to your Google road trip map isn’t helpful. Adding driving directions helps you visualize your route so you can better understand where you are going while on your road trip. It also will help you figure out how long you can drive in one day .

Here’s how to add and use Directions on your Google Map:

Start by clicking on the direction icon located below the search bar.

You will then continue to add stops along your route to get a visual of your driving route.

Google Maps will default to the quickest route when creating your driving route. The quickest driving route will likely be the main highways and not always the most scenic. Therefore, there may be times you want to deviate from the quickest route and take a more scenic route.

Fortunately, you can adjust your route by dragging it to where you want it to go.

Start by clicking on the route, and a small circle will appear.

Then drag this route to where you want the route to go.

How to Plan a Road Trip with Google My Maps – A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Now that we know the ins and outs of Google My Maps let’s learn how to use it to create your very own customized road trip map.

• Create a New Google Map
• Add Layers for Different Types of Locations
• Add Locations to Your Map
• Plan Your Road Trip Route

Step 1: Create a New Google Map

You will need to sign in to your Google Account or create a new account to create your own Google My Map.

Once you’re logged into Google, follow this link to bring you to Google Maps .

Click on the hamburger ( 𝄘 ) in the top left-hand corner of Google Maps.

Click on “Your Places”.

This brings up any saved information you’ve stored in Google maps, like your favorites

Now it’s time to bring up your very first map.

Click on Maps on the top left →, then click “create map” on the bottom left.

You now have your blank map! 

Give your map a title, and get ready to create your first custom road trip map.

Step 2: Create Layers for Different Types of Markers

I like to start trip planning by creating different layers for the types of markers I plan to add to my map.

The layers I typically use are: – Places to Sleep – Places to Eat – Places to Drink – Things to Do

You can always add layers while you plan. But I find it easier to stay organized if I start with some layers on my map before adding locations.

Step 3. Add Markers to Your Map

This is the best part of planning your road trip with Google My Maps.

Whether you are in your brainstorming stage of travel prep or you already know where you want to go, this step is where your trip starts to come together. 

To start, you’ll research your destinations to find markers to add to your map.

I like to use the following resources for trip research:

• Google: Search for things to do, places to eat, places to stay, etc., in the areas you plan to visit or pass through
• Visitor Centers: Find tourism information online or request info from your destinations’ tourism bureaus to be mailed to you
• Travel books: We like to get ours from the library
• Facebook groups: Join a Facebook Group for the area you are traveling to. They are filled with tons of suggestions on the best things to do in the area.

When you find a location you want to make note of, add it to your map.

Do this by entering it into the search bar.

The great thing about Google Maps is that it pulls up all of the information on a location that Google has. If available, you can find the exact address, reviews, and website address. 

If the location looks good, you can then add it as a marker to your map by clicking “add to map”.

Once added to your map, you can customize your marker by changing your icon’s color and/or shape by clicking on the paint bucket icon labeled “style”.

I like picking a specific color and icon for each marker category. For example, my “restaurants” may all be blue with a fork and spoon icon, while my “sights to see” will be yellow with a binocular icon.

One of my favorite features of Google My Maps is that I can add my own info to the marker. Typically, this info comes from the research I’ve done on the location. If I found a blog post recommending a specific restaurant, I’ll add that to the marker, so I have that info at my fingertips when we are on the road.

Add any info you want to your marker and click save.

Your marker will now be added to your map.

You can see your marker in two places: one on the map and the other in the layer it was added to in the layers menu on the left-hand side of the screen.

Continue to add locations until your map starts to take shape.

Here is an example of a map we made for a West Virginia Road Trip .

Step 4: Determine Your Route / Itinerary

Now that you have location markers on your map, you can determine your route and day-to-day itinerary.

Take a look at where all your location markers are situated and start planning your route.

Start by creating a directions layer on your map.

Once you have your directions layer, rename it, and begin plotting your route.

First, you will need to enter your starting point. This can be done by either entering an address manually or clicking on a marker on your map.

Continue to add stops until your route is complete.

Here is an example of what our Lake Michigan Circle Tour Road Trip looked like.

Google Maps will default to the quickest route from two points. If you want to go a different route than the one suggested, you can drag the route to force it to go a different way than it was originally displayed.

You now have your own customizable Google Map for your road trip.

We use these maps for both planning our trip and for reference during our trip.

Now let’s look at how to use your awesome map during your trip.

How to View Your Google My Map on Your Phone

Now that you have your map customized, you’ll likely want to be able to view it on your phone.

You will first need to download the Google Maps app from your phone’s app store.

Once you have the Google Map app, here is how you access your map:

• Click on “Saved” on the lower toolbar on your phone
• Click on “Maps” on the lower right
• Select your customized map

Now you can view your location markers and all the customized information you added to your map.

Click on your marker to bring up basic information. For the more detailed information you added, swipe up.

How to Use Your Google Map to Get Directions During Your Road Trip

Unfortunately, you can’t use the turn-by-turn directions you may have added to your map for actual driving instructions for your trip.

But not all is lost; you can still get directions to the next stop by using your customized map and Google Maps.

To do this, click on the location you want directions to and click on directions.

This will launch your Google Map app and allow you to get turn-by-turn directions to your next stop.

How to Export Your Map for Offline Access

Google My Maps works great when you have cell phone service on your trip. Unfortunately, you will not always have service, and you can’t download your Google My Map for offline use like you can in Google Maps.

Thankfully, there are ways to export your map for use offline.

To do this, we use Gaia GPS .

Let’s walk you through downloading your Google My Map for importing into Gaia GPS, an offline mapping app.

On your computer, click on the ( ⋮ ) in the top left corner by the map’s name. Then click on Export to KML/KMZ.

A pop-up will appear. Keep the default of “entire map” and click “download”.

Now you can import this map into Gaia GPS.

Start by creating a Gaia GPS account .

Once logged in, click “Import Data” and select the .KMZ file you downloaded from Google My Maps.

Your locations will now populate in your Gaia GPS map. Make sure to click “save” .

You can now access your map locations offline on your phone via Gaia GPS.

To do this, download the Gaia GPS App on your phone and log in.

Once logged in, you will see a notification that you have a saved location available.

Click on the Saved folder

You can now see all your locations on your Google My Map. Including the details, you added.

More Road Trip Tips: Road Trip Hacks for a Stress-free Trip Road Trip Activities for a Long Car Ride Road Trip Meal and Snack Ideas Money-Saving Tips for Your Next Road Trip How to Budget for a Road Trip

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How to Use Google Maps to Plan Your Next Road Trip (Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples)

Post summary: A comprehensive guide on how to use Google Maps to plan a road trip itinerary  and why Google Maps is the best tool/app for planning a trip. Includes a road trip planning tutorial!

Author’s Note: This post was originally published in 2020 and was updated in April 2023 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

So, you want to plan a road trip. But, where do you start? Better yet: How do you start?

I’m often asked about my trip planning process. Where to go, what to do, and how exactly to fit everything into a cohesive itinerary that, well, makes sense .

Planning a road trip can be hard. But, with the right tools and resources, it doesn’t have to be. I’ve already put together a list of my most trusted travel booking resources , and the best apps for road trips , but now I want to talk about one of my favorite road trip planning tools: Google Maps.

Google Maps is like a trip planning goldmine, and it’s always my very first step in organizing my itinerary whenever I take a trip.

Google Maps is one of the best tools for planning a cohesive and successful road trip, because it allows you to create a highly customizable, visual representation of your trip  (shoutout to all my fellow visual learners out there). And its FREE!

Basically, if you’re planning a road trip, knowing how to customize Google Maps is going to make your life so much easier.

So if you’re wondering how to get started, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m breaking the entire process down into an easy to follow step-by-step tutorial on exactly how to use Google MyMaps to plan your next road trip. So, lets get started!

GOOGLE MAPS TRAVEL PLANNING OVERVIEW

Here’s exactly what we cover in this guide:

• Create a new Google Map for your trip.
• Add location pins to your map
• Customize and color code your location pins.
• Create Google Map layers to plan your day-to-day itinerary.
• Add driving directions to your map.
• Download your custom Google Map to your phone.
• Share your map with friends.
• Calculate gas milage for your road trip.

Scroll down for a super detailed step-by-step guide to planning your own travel itinerary for free using Google Maps or skip ahead with the table of contents.

Table of Contents

Need some road trip inspiration? Visit my most popular travel guides:

Las Vegas to Sedona Road Trip (3 Jam-Packed Itineraries to See it All in Less Time)

5-Day British Columbia Road Trip Itinerary

1-Day Yoho National Park Road Trip Itinerary

The Perfect 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary

. Don’t forget to grab my FREE Travel Expense Planner Download below to help you plan your next trip . Use it to easily and automatically calculate how much money you’ll spend on gas, flights, accommodation, food + more

WHY GOOGLE MAPS IS THE BEST TRAVEL PLANNING TOOL FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Google Maps is the best tool for planning your next trip , whether you’re just using it for adventure inspiration, to share ideas with your friends, or creating a detailed step-by-step road trip itinerary. Here’s why!

IT CREATES A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF YOUR ROAD TRIP

If you’re a visual learner, Google Maps is going to be your best friend. But even if you’re not a visual learning, using Google Maps to plan your trip is still going to be incredibly helpful.

Planning your trip with Google Maps is the fastest way to familiarize yourself with the layout of an area. It allows you to wrap your head around how large an area is and where everything is in relation to each other, which, in my opinion, is the best way to start planning any trip.

Here’s an example of the Google Map I created for our 4-day road trip in Iceland.

Click here to access the interactive map.

GOOGLE MY MAPS HELPS YOU FIGURE OUT WHERE TO SPEND YOUR TIME

Have you ever had a list of places you wanted to see, only to find out that they’re super far away from each other?

Pinning your locations to your custom Google Map will show you where your stops are. This will help you figure out where to spend your time and plan accordingly.

Are your pins clustered in one place? If so, then you might want to allocate more time to that area. Or maybe your pins are spread out all over the map? If this is the case, then it might be best to prepare yourself for a lot of driving or focus on a smaller area instead.

YOUR GOOGLE MAP IS HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE

Whether you’re touring NYC, road tripping cross country, or backpacking to Beaver Falls in the Grand Canyon , you can create a highly customizable Google Map to help plan your adventure.

Handy features like customizable locations, adding multiple stops, pinning by GPS coordinates, organizing by categories, and overlaying direction layers, all make it incredibly easy to customize your Google Map to plan your travel itinerary.

Need to remember entrance fees, operating hours, or best places to see? You can even add notes to your location pins so you don’t forget important details!

IT HELPS YOU NAVIGATE AND PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Quickly learn how to navigate between stops by adding directions between multiple locations to your map.

This is an incredibly useful tool for figuring out the best routes to take, roads to avoid, and to plan for drive time. You can even choose between walking, biking, or public transportation directions. This is especially helpful for choosing the best entrance to Yellowstone National Park , taking the scenic route on an Ecuador road trip , or mapping out the best Hudson Valley wineries .

IT’S EASY TO COLLABORATE AND SHARE YOUR TRIP

Traveling with friends? Google Maps makes it super easy to collaborate by allowing you to share your map with your travel partners. You can even give them editing access so that everyone can add their must-do’s to the map.

YOUR MAP IS EASY TO SHARE BETWEEN DEVICES

You’ll have to create your Google Map on desktop. But, luckily, you can seamlessly share your custom map straight to your iPhone or Android using the Google Maps App!

Sharing your custom map to your phone makes it super convenient to access your itinerary on the go. You can even set up your map for offline use if you’re traveling without cell phone service.

HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM MAP IN GOOGLE MAPS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

1. create a new google map, login to google drive on your desktop.

Before you start planning your road trip using Google Maps, make sure you’re signed into your Google Drive.

• Visit www.google.com/maps from your desktop and log in .
• If you don’t have a Google Drive account, create one now.

CREATE A NEW GOOGLE MAP

To create a new map, select “Saved” in the sidebar on the left > “Maps”.  You can also click on the menu (the three lines) in the upper left corner > “Saved” > “Maps”.

For now, your list is probably empty. But as you create more maps, this is where they’ll be stored.

Begin creating your first custom map by selecting “CREATE MAP”

This opens a new blank map. Start by giving your map a title and a description.

Once you’ve named your map, you’re ready to start pinning stops! Keep reading to learn about adding and customizing location pins.

2. ADD LOCATIONS TO YOUR GOOGLE MAP

This is where you start adding the places you want to go!

HOW TO ADD LOCATION PINS

Add multiple stops to your Google map by pinning their locations.  There are a few different ways to add location pins to your Google Map :

• Add a pin using coordinates if you can’t find the exact location in the search bar drop down list. You may have to use this method for extremely specific or remote locations, such as a backcountry campsite or an unmarked trailhead. Simply type the location’s latitude and longitude coordinates into the search bar. .
•  To pin a general area, click on the “Add Marker” button below the map search bar . You’ll be able to drop a blank pin by clicking anywhere on the map. A box will appear asking you to add a title and description

NOTE: You’re allowed to pin 10 location pins per layer. Continue reading to learn how to use layers to add more than 10 location pins to your map.

3. CUSTOMIZING LOCATION PINS

Once you save your pins to the map, they’ll be blue by default. However,  you can customize a pin by changing the color, icon style, description, and title . You can even add pictures or videos if you’re feeling extra fancy.

To change the color and style , begin by clicking on your location pin (either in the list to the left or directly on the map) > “Style” (the little paint can) in the lower right hand corner of the text box. Click “More Icons” to view more options.

To change the location title , click”Edit” (the pencil icon) in the text box. You can also add notes in the “Notes” box. Use the notes box to add more details about finding trail heads, hiking logistics, packing reminders etc. I also like to use it to keep track of specific places to see within a general location, such as a National Park.

To add media (i.e. photos or videos) , click “Add Image or Video” (the camera icon) in the text box. I found this especially helpful on my first Iceland road trip to remember which waterfall was which, since they all sound the same (if you’ve been there, you know what I mean!). You can also add your own photos and videos if you want to create a map to share with others.

To delete a pin , click on it and then click on the trash can icon. .

. 4. CREATING MAP LAYERS TO PLAN YOUR TRIP IN GOOGLE MAPS

What are google map layers.

Google Map layers are a really useful tool for organizing your road trip itinerary. But,  what exactly is a layer? A layer in Google Maps is, by definition, a way to contain arbitrary geospatial data.

Okay, English please ?

In other words, each layer can be used to display different types of information on your map. You can dedicate different layers to different types of places like restaurants, cafe’s, hotels, hiking trails, etc. Or you can dedicate layers to different days of your trip. Or you can stick to one layer. Its up to you.

Here’s an example of how I broke up my Iceland itinerary, using a different layer for each day of our road trip: 

HOW TO ADD LAYERS

When you create your map, you’re automatically using one layer (“Untitled Layer”). This is the layer that your location pins are added to by default, unless you add additional layers. You can add up to 10 location pins per layer, and 10 layers per map.

To add a new layer to your Google Map , simply click “Add Layer”. This creates a new “Untitled Layer”, which you can rename accordingly. To rename layers, click on the title name or click the 3 dots next to the title > “Rename Layer”.

To move a pin between layers , click on the location pin in the list, then drag and drop it into the desired layer.

Choose which layers to display by turning individual layers “on” and “off”. You can do this by checking/unchecking the box next to the layer’s name.

To delete a layer , click the 3 dots next to the layer’s title > “Delete this layer” > “Delete”.

. TIPS FOR USING LAYERS TO PLAN YOUR ITINERARY IN GOOGLE MAPS

When planning my road trip itineraries, I usually give each day its own layer (unless the trip is longer than 10 days, in which case then I’ll combine days or make another map). Then I color code all of my pins by day.

For example, all of my stops (i.e. location pins) on day 1 (layer 1) would be orange, all of my stops on day 2 (layer 2) would be red, and all of my stops on day 3 (layer 3) would be blue. Organizing pins and layers this way makes it a lot easier to visualize your day-to-day itinerary on the map.

That’s just what works for me, so obviously you don’t have to do it that way. You can organize your pins and layers in any way that makes sense to you.

WHEN TO MAKE SEPARATE MAPS 

Personally, I prefer to make a single map for my road trip itineraries whenever possible. But that won’t work for everything or for everyone.

Sometimes maps can get confusing if you have a lot of stops to make. Other times you’ll find that you need more than 10 layers or directions between more locations than Google Maps allows.

To solve these problems, you may opt to create several maps. Perhaps you’ll find it easier to create a separate map for each day of your road trip, or create one map dedicated just to a certain type of location or activity.

For example, we created two separate maps for our road trip through New Zealand. One map for the North Island and one map for the South Island.

5. ADDING DIRECTIONS TO YOUR GOOGLE MAP

. What good would a Google Maps itinerary be if you couldn’t get driving directions?

To add driving directions to your Google Map , click on “Add Directions” (the arrow icon) under the search bar. A new layer will appear (you cannot add directions without it adding a new layer).

Click on “Add Directions” simply by clicking on a pinned location on the map. It will populate in point “A” . Click on a second location on the map, which will populate in point “B” . The route will show up as a blue line on the map.

The original directions will only give you the option to add points “A” and “B”. To add more destinations, click on “Add destinations”. You can add up to 10 destinations.

NOTE:  This may seem obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: When you connect locations, make sure to do it in the order that makes sense. Don’t just add directions between two random locations. Make sure to do it in order!

To choose between driving, walking, or bicycle directions , click on the Directions button in the layer (the blue car icon). Then click on the appropriate mode of transportation.

VIEW STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

To view step-by-step directions, click the three dots to the right of the little of the directions layer > click “Step-by-step directions”.

ADJUSTING YOUR ROUTE

Google maps will automatically calculate the shortest route between locations. But you can easily change the route if you prefer to take a different one (i.e. to take the more scenic route, avoid tolls/highways, etc.).

To adjust the route between two points , hover your cursor anywhere along the blue line. Your cursor will change from a hand to an arrow over a white dot. A dialogue box will say “Drag to change route”. Click and drag the white dot to the desired road or highway on the map.

. 6. HOW TO ACCESS CUSTOM GOOGLE MAPS ON YOUR PHONE 

. There are two ways to access your custom Google Maps on your phone.  You can  (1) reference your map through the Google Maps app  or (2) export the entire map for offline access using Maps.me . Which method you use depends on your personal preference.

Steps are the same for iPhone and Android.

1. To view your maps in the Google Maps app:

• You will need to download Google Maps, if you haven’t done it already
• Sign into the same Google Drive account you used to create the map
• Click on the search bar > “…More” > scroll to the right and click “Maps”
• Select your custom map

How to view your custom Google Map on your phone using the Google Maps app .

Essential tips for using the Google Maps app:

• Accessing step-by-step directions:  When you open your map in the Google Maps app, your directions layer will be visible, but you won’t be able to click on it and get the step-by-step directions. . Instead, navigate to the individual location pins on the map. Click the pin and the directions instruction will populate in the search bar. Click on the search bar and then hit “Search”. This will exit your custom map and open up the regular Google Maps navigation screen. .
• Accessing your map offline:  You can’t. There is currently no way to access your custom map offline in the Google Maps app. Which is obviously not ideal if you’re traveling without cell phone service or wifi. . You can download an area for use offline by clicking on your photo (the circle in the upper right corner) > “Offline maps” > “select your own map”. However, when you do this, the map will be blank and you’ll have to repin/save all of your pins. You can repin/save locations by searching for the location > “save” > and then either add to an existing list or create a new list.

2. To export your custom map to Maps.me:

This method is quite a workaround, but (unlike the Google Maps app) it allows you to access your custom map offline without having to repin anything.

On your desktop: 

• Open your map on desktop
• Click the 3 dots next to the map title > select “Export to KML” > check the box next to “Export to .KML file instead of .KMZ”.
• Make this file accessible through your phone by uploading it to Dropbox, Google Drive, email, or any other file sharing app.

On your phone:

• Download the Maps.me app
• Search for the city, state, or country your map is based in and then download
• Go to your photo sharing app and open your .KML file with Maps.me
• You’ll be directed to your custom map in Maps.me

Tips for using Maps.me

If you download your map in Maps.me, you’ll be able to use it offline. However, the major drawback is that you will only be able to access step-by-step directions from your current location. So, even though your directions layers will populate on your map, you’ll only be able to view the drive times and not the actual directions, unless one of those points is your current location.

That being said, I am not a Maps.me expert.  So, if you have an update or workaround for this issue, please reach out and let me know :)

7. CREATE A SHARED GOOGLE MAP

You might want to share your map if you’re planning a trip with someone else, collaborating on an itinerary, or sharing your map on a website.

To share your Google Map , open the map > click “share” in the gray bar above the layers. Make sure the slider for “Anyone with this link can view” is set to blue. Then copy the link and send it to friends!

To embed your map on a website , check that your sharing sliders are set to “Anyone with this link can view” and “Let others search for and find this map on the internet”. Next, click the menu (the three dots) next to the map title > then click “Embed on my site”. Copy the HTML and paste it in the source code for your page.

8. BONUS: CALCULATE GAS MILEAGE

. Download my customizable Travel Expense Planner below for free . Use it to easily and automatically calculate how much money you’ll spend on gas, using your custom Google Map!

And there you have it! All the tips, tricks, and general instructions on how to use Google Maps as a road trip planning tool . As always, if you have any questions or have anything to add, leave a comment below. I love to hear from you!

Happy adventuring!

Did you find this Google Maps road trip planning tutorial helpful? Don’t forget to pin it for later!

Hi, I’m Jackie! I’m a travel photographer and content creator based near the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. I’m also a millennial who works full-time, yet I still find ways to travel frequently without breaking the bank, because traveling is what makes me feel most alive. Now I help fellow travelers who also work 9-5 and are looking for ways to travel more with limited PTO.

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27 comments.

[…] Krawiecki, J. (n.d.). How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps. The Adventure Atlas. Retrieved from How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps (Tutorial With Examples) | The Adventures Atlas  […]

[…] that an SUV or an RV is better suited for the whole family. Once you’ve secured your vehicle, map out your route, research the stops that you want to make, and make a list of the things that you’ll need to […]

[…] You won’t have service once you get there though, so I suggest downloading offline Google Maps of the area before you go. To learn how to download offline Google Maps, visit my blog post on How To Plan Your Road Trip Using Google Maps […]

[…] How to Plan Your Road Trip Using Google Maps […]

[…] How to Plan Your Trip Using Google Maps […]

All I needed when I googled “how to plan a trip in google maps” was to be pointed in the right direction of where to look for the feature. This went WAY beyond what I could have ever asked for and helped SO MUCH! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi Nicole – I’m SO glad to hear you found this post helpful!

[…] How to plan a road trip using Google Maps […]

Hello Jackie, and thanks for the very informative article! It was well written and I used Google Maps on my last trip to the Baja in Mexico. One other tool I used was the free trip planner from Geovea https://geovea.com/trip_plan/new_trip to create and share my trip, and estimate my trip budget. You can also take your itinerary with you on your phone for navigation. I really appreciate all of the great travel guides and already planning my next trip :-)

Thank you for sharing all of this valuable information! I see how to view the turn-by-turn directions, but is there a way to start the route so you can follow it while driving? Thanks!!

[…] How to Plan Your Road Trip using Google Maps […]

This literally just changed my life! Thank you for sharing how to use google maps to plan a road trip. I will use this all the time now!

Hey there – so happy to hear you found this post useful!

[…] Planning a Costa Rica road trip? Read: How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps (Tutorial With Examples) […]

[…] a large geographical area you need to give your trip a bit of structure. You can start by using Google Maps to plot and plan your journey so you can make a note of all the destinations you are interested in. You can then agree on a few […]

[…] Read next: How To Plan Your Road Trip With Google Maps (Tutorial With Examples) […]

said no driving directions from point a to point b, so i couldn’t get started. E.G. Badland SD to Mt Rushmore to Custer Nat. Park, I need a little more direction, i’m not to good with comp. thanks

Hey Billy – Sometimes Google Maps won’t recognize directions to very general areas because it wants you to use something more specific. This most often happens with National Parks and wilderness areas. In those cases, Google Maps will generally present you with a list of specific locations you can choose from, such as the park’s ranger stations, visitors centers, etc. However, in your situation, I was able to pull up directions using “Badlands National Park”, “Mount Rushmore National Memorial”, and “Custer National Forest”. Hope that helps!

[…] necessary than you suppose to sleep, bathe and plan for slower days. A very good rule of thumb is to plan in rest time each three days. That method, you possibly can push your self however forestall exhaustion in your […]

[…] essential than you assume to sleep, bathe and plan for slower days. An excellent rule of thumb is to plan in rest time each three days. That means, you possibly can push your self however stop exhaustion in your […]

I’ve been a user of paper maps, since before the Internet, or color TV for that matter. For an up coming trip, basically Texas to FL, and back, I decided to make better use of Google Maps. A google search brought me to this page. Super helpful, and the pins per layer note answered a long standing confusion of mine. Thank you. I do have one question. Is there a way to to add waypoints based on distance or travel time? For example, this is going to be a two day trip. I want to find the halfway point (easily)? Or in the case of a longer trip, I want to drive X miles or Y hours? I know I can trial and error it, but what if I want the half-way point? What’s the easiest way to find it? Or where will I be in 8 hours of driving? Thank so much! Cheers, Eric

Hey Eric – thanks so much for your comment! Unfortunately, I don’t know of an easy way to calculate your half way point or location after x amount of hours. I typically eyeball it, which might be the only way to find your answer

Thanks very much, it is really helpful

This was most helpful for creating a personal map. I tried it and created a practice map on my laptop; named it and accessed it exactly like your instructions indicate. The part that has me puzzled is the accessing it from your phone. I have used Google maps on my phone for a long time and believe I am signed in using the same account. The Google Maps app on the phone identifies me (the right end if the search bar has my initial and shows the account when tapped.) When I tap the search bar I get to the … More but that is it. All I then see is the opportunity to set my Home and Work Locations but no listing of My Maps.

On the laptop going to the Menu (bars at left side of Search) allows access to Lists, Labeled, Visited, and Maps. (Maps is the one, as you indicate, to get to your personal Maps.) On my phone the only thing that seems to be available is the Labeled option. What am I missing to get to the Maps? I feel like there must be a switch somewhere to have the Maps come through … but I can’t seem to find it! Hoping you or someone can point me in the right direction. Thank you.

Without creating a custom map, is there a way to display a route in Google Maps and show attractions at the same time?

You’ve written a terrific guide and I’m learning a lot more about Google maps. Is there some way to print this guide or download a printable copy? Thanks.

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Roadtrippers - Trip Planner 4+

Planner, map, & travel guides, roadtrippers.

• #149 in Travel
• 4.6 • 58.7K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

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Description.

Are you ready to turn your road trip into an epic adventure? Roadtrippers is the #1 road trip planning app in the U.S. and Canada, with more than 38 million trips planned to date covering more than 42 billion miles. Whether you’re looking for an RV trip planner or just mapping out your next road trip, build your route in Roadtrippers and then use our turn-by-turn navigation to lead the way. Explore millions of places, like local diners and quirky roadside attractions, or scenic points, national parks, and hotels. Get inspiration from our pre-made trip guides of some of the most interesting and once-in-a-lifetime routes you need to see at least once. No matter where you are, you’re always minutes away from something amazing! Use Roadtrippers’ free features to map out routes with three stops or less. And when you’re ready to take on bigger adventures, simply upgrade your membership to add up to 150 stops per trip and unlock other premium features like RV-friendly GPS navigation, members-only discounts, offline maps, trip collaboration access, customized map styles, and more! Plus, any trips you’ve saved or places you love will sync automatically across devices, and you can use CarPlay to easily navigate your route once you hit the road. Note: Our content and coverage is currently focused in the USA and Canada only. Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease battery life. Terms of use: https://roadtrippers.com/tos Privacy policy: https://roadtrippers.com/privacy-policy

Version 5.8.1

We’re making it easier to find the perfect campground for your next trip! • Read campground reviews from other campers packed with lots of extra information just for RVers. • Find more than 150,000 new campground reviews on our map. • Overlay public land, cell coverage, and wildfire smoke on our map. • You have lots of new ways to filter your campgrounds on our map including cell service and elevation. Happy camping!

Ratings and Reviews

58.7K Ratings

Never have I ever...

Never have I ever felt it necessary to review an app, be it good or bad. However, this app is so incredible that I felt obligated to tell everyone. I've told all my friends to download it and I'm telling all you strangers to download it. It's SOOOO helpful. I did a road trip from CT to TN to TX to Nola to NC back to CT.. and I used it everyday for the entire trip. It offers so many things to do... everything from museums to abandoned houses that make for fun photo ops. If you're someone trying to take funny pictures of random side of the road things this is your app. The only thing I wish is that there was a way to like mark things off the list that you've completed. BUT.... it really added to the fun of the trip and the ease of the trip. Everything I needed was in this one app. It is trustworthy and never steered me wrong. Pun intended.... you can trust the "navigation" button and whatever address is provided. Just be sure to read the reviews of each location before going there. Just because it's on the app doesn't mean it's everything you're thinking it'll be, so read the reviews. If you're going on a road trip.. USE THIS APP. It will really add to your trip. Thank you for existing.

Good app, not great

This is a really good app. Definitely recommend it. Mostly an easy way to put a trip together, plan stops, construct a map. I would give it 5 stars except for a few very frustrating things that drag this app down. And could easily be fixed. I do understand that maybe it’s user error, but … When you are on a trip, you open the trip and it goes to your current location in Map View. However, when you open the List View for that trip, why doesn’t it go to your current location instead of starting from day one and you have to scroll all the way down until you find what you’re looking for. The way dates are managed is a complete nightmare. Changing the dates of an entire trip is such a hassle. And you cannot plan a trip without dates as once you add your first date, the app puts every single waypoint on a separate date!! Who thought that was a good idea?! You can add things that are not on the map already, but you can only add an address, you cannot label the address as to what it is. There are a lot of things that are not included on the map that I would like to add to my trips. And label with a name. This app is not a standalone app. You need other sources to complete the picture. Especially because there is a blue line indicating your route that completely covers up the highway numbers. Highway numbers are essential to trip planning. Also, can you update the gas pricing? It’s no where near accurate. And organize the trips into past and upcoming/future?

The most troublesome travel app.

As we travel using this app we must re-enter cookie preferences each time the app opened. We must re-enter our vehicle information (all of it) each time we opened the app. I tried contacting the company but it allowed no contact info other than e-mail and their response time may be days later which by then we were many hundreds of miles further into the trip and when there was a response it was a friendly response but there was no help at all. No one could ever tell me why I must re-enter all the information as though it’s the first time using the app. There was no help. Just friendly responses. They had no phone number to call for technical assistance. No help at all. Just lip service by email. It became very frustrating. I couldn’t trust that the map was taking us on roads that allowed clearance for our vehicle. I quit using the app during our first trip. I tried again on our next trip. Same problems. Same Customer Service system. I informed them that their app was a real waste of money. They could care less. As my membership grew close to the end I sent an email asking for confirmation to my request NOT TO RENEW. I never got a response. I tried contacting them today and haven’t gotten a response. Note: I initially joined the Roadpass Pro membership based on an ad by Jason Esperson. I used to watch his videos. Now I have nothing to do with TOGO RV.

Developer Response ,

Hi again Sam - we're sorry to hear again that you're disappointed that you must select vehicle preferences when navigating a trip on Roadtrippers. We offer the option to select your vehicle on each trip as we realize that you may use different vehicles for different trips. We have conversed with you multiple times through our support email system ([email protected] and [email protected]) and I can see that we have followed up with you on each request. I do see we recently responded to an email you sent to us this week but we have not heard back from you. Please do check the spam inboxes for both of the email accounts you have used to email us - our helpful responses may be there!

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App privacy.

The developer, Roadtrippers , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Contact Info
• User Content
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Roadtrippers Basic - Annual $35.99
• Roadtrippers Premium - Annual $59.99
• Roadtrippers Pro - Annual $49.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

Book your hotel, save more when you bundle, all packages, map layers (*available when zoomed in), app language, dropdown lists, triptik options, enhanced options, email your triptik, covers & inserts, roadtrip names goes here, saved places name here, restaurants, attractions, campgrounds, auto repair, aaa/caa offices.

EXPLORING THE OPEN ROAD MADE EASY

The one travel planner for every road trip get directions and maps. find gas stations. know where to stop. plan things to do..

Maps & Directions Get directions for a cross-town drive or map an epic journey.

Saved Trips Save TripTiks to make planning your journey quick and easy.

Mobile-friendly On the go? No worries everything you need in the palm of your hands

THE RETURN OF THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP IS ALREADY UNDERWAY!

Looking for a summer vacation option for you and your family? AAA TripTik helps you plan road trips to millions of destinations and now includes easy access to your favorite National Park! Check out some of our signature road trips to these National Parks!

SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP

229.4 miles : 5 hours , 19 minutes

BLACK HILLS ROAD TRIP

169 miles : 5 hours

NORTHERN CA & SOUTHERN OR COAST ROAD TRIP

380.1 miles 8 hours , 3 minutes

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP

307.4 miles : 6 hours , 52 minutes

YELLOWSTONE TO GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP

401.6 miles : 10 hours , 26 minutes

Why AAA TripTik is the ultimate road trip planner

For a basic drive, simply enter a starting point and destination to map your route and get turn-by-turn directions, or enter up to 25 stopovers to create a complete road trip.

Use the points of interest icons to locate and get information about nearby restaurants, attractions and events, and to find and book hotels that meet AAA standards for quality and cleanliness.

Display the gas station icons to know where to fill up along the way. Station listings show the fuel grades offered and the latest per-gallon gas price.

Planning to bike or walk instead? Choose the icon to adjust the routes.

Traveling with your pet? No problem.  AAA has quick and easy ways to let you know which hotels are pet-friendly.

EXPLORE TOP DESTINATIONS WITH AAA

LEARN more with AAA TRIP CANVAS

• Get Great Eclipse Photos with Your Phone
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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

• University of Ontario
• George Brown College
• Payment Services

We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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Dates, distances and directions

Always wanted to travel across US but were not sure if you have enough time for that? Did you ever try to figure out how long it takes to drive from Yosemite to Yellowstone or from Lisbon to Rome?

Start clicking on the map. Choose your destination and have Furkot calculate how much time you need to get there. Set daily limits on the travel time so none of your sightseeing has to be done under moonlight — unless, of course, that's what you want.

Don't worry about putting stops in order. Furkot attempts to plan a route for your trip in the most efficient way. If you don't want efficient, you can drag your stops around or even reverse your itinerary .

Tell us how long you want to drive every day, and we will show you where to stop for the night Furkot suggests overnight stops along the route based on your schedule and preferences.

Furkot can help you with all your travel plans: a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a continent-crossing road trip. And driving is not the only option . You can also schedule motorcycle rides, biking excursions and walking tours with Furkot.

Read more …

It's not just about driving

It's also about all the things you do on the way. Leave your car parked for a couple of hours and hike one of the trails from the vast Everytrail collection.

Need some hints? Make sure to check interesting places described on Wikipedia . They are one click away from ending up on your road trip stop list.

If your car resembles ours you can't drive on water, but Furkot will route you to the closest dry land point for those spots that do require a boat ride. You can drive and dive with Furkot.

Are you after fresh powder? Or maybe shredding corduroy is your thing? Trees or bowls? Skis or snowboard? Regardless of the answer, you can use Furkot to find ski resorts — courtesy of Liftopia .

You can even plan meal stops and add gas stations to your itinerary. Not to mention biking paths, museums, monuments, climbing routes , national parks, scenic views — add as many as you want. Furkot will keep you on track. You just need to show up.

Campgrounds? Motels? Hotels? Staying with friends?

Whatever your lodging preference is — hotel, campground, apartment — Furkot will show you scores of accommodations on the map and will help you find the perfect place for every night of your trip.

Furkot makes it easy to decide which hotels offer the best combination of cost, amenities and convenient location. Whenever available, Furkot displays exactly what you are going to pay (including taxes and service fees). You are in charge of what they charge.

When you are ready to book, Furkot will take you directly to your favorite booking site and pre-fill the check-in and check-out dates so that you don't have to worry about reserving that hard found lodging on the wrong night.

Booking all hotels for your trip can be a daunting experience: multiple cities, multiple booking sites and many dates and details to mistype? Let Furkot help with that. We will take you through the whole process page by page and hotel by hotel. All you need to do is to keep pressing Next until you are Done .

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How-To Geek

How to plan a road trip with multiple destinations in google maps.

Map out multiple destinations in Google Maps on the web or in the app.

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Add multiple stops using the website, add multiple stops using the mobile app.

Whether you're planning a day out on the town, or want to orchestrate the perfect road trip across the country, Google Maps allows you to add up to nine stops, excluding your starting point, when you make directions from both the website and the Maps app. Here's how you do it.

First, open up your browser and head on over to Google Maps.  Click the "Directions" button to the right of the search bar.

By default, Maps will use your device's location for the starting point. If you want this to be a different location, enter it now.

Next, enter the location of your first destination into the field provided, and then hit Enter. Alternatively, you can click any location on the map to get the same results.

Make sure you have either the driving or walking option selected, as Maps only lets you make multiple destinations with these two travel modes.

To add another destination, all you have to do is click either the "+" or the space below your first destination, and then start typing a new location. You can repeat this to add up to nine total stops. If you have more stops than is allowed, you may need to make another map from where you left off.

If at any point you decide you want to change up the order of your destinations, just drag any location up or down on the list using the circles on the left.

And once you've created your map in your web browser, you can click the "Send directions to your phone" link to send it to your mobile device by email or text message. Assuming you've got the Google Maps app installed, you can open it right up.

If you want to optimize your travel, you can also turn a multi-stop Google Maps trip into a round-trip .

Related: How to Find Public Restrooms Near You with Google Maps

You can use the Google Apps mobile app (free for iPhone , iPad , and  Android ) to create a map with multiple destinations in much the same way.

Related: How to Download Google Maps Data for Offline Navigation on Android or iPhone

Fire up the Google Maps app on your mobile device, and then tap the blue "Go" button on the bottom right of your screen.

By default, Maps uses your device's location for the starting point. If you want this to be a different location, enter it now.

Start typing in your first destination or tap a location on the map below to start your journey.

Next, open the menu (the three dots at the top right), and then tap the "Add Stop" command.

Enter the location of your next stop, or tap anywhere on the map to add the next destination.

To change the order of your destinations, just drag any of the locations up or down the list using the "Hamburger" (three stacked lines) on the left.

When you've added all the stops to your trip, go ahead and tap "Done" so you can start your journey.

Related: How to View and Delete Your Google Maps History on Android and iPhone

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The Incredible Road Trip Through Missouri That Leads You To 7 Stunning Lakes

W ith so many beautiful lakes in Missouri, we’re never too far from our next adventure, whether we feel like kayaking, swimming, or simply hiking on a trail that meanders along the water’s edge. Where will your next adventure take you? How about on this road trip to Missouri’s best lakes ? Pack up your car and hit the road for an epic adventure.

Map out your trip!

1. table rock lake – branson, 2. lake taneycomo – branson, 3. fellows lake – springfield, 4. stockton lake – dadeville, 5. pomme de terre lake – pittsburg, 6. lake of the ozarks – kaiser, 7. smithville lake – smithville.

What other lakes would you add to the road trip to Missouri’s best lakes? (Well, some of ’em.) Let us know in the comments! If this epic road trip has your wanderlust in overdrive, keep exploring! Start by checking out these unforgettable road trips in Missouri . Before setting off on this road trip, check out OIYS’ road trip essentials packing list .

These 7 Road Trips In Missouri Will Lead You To Places You’ll Never Forget

The post The Incredible Road Trip Through Missouri That Leads You To 7 Stunning Lakes appeared first on Only In Your State ® .

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LIVE: Solar eclipse finishes its trek across the US

The eclipse reached New York at 3:15 pm EDT and ended on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 3:46 pm EDT (5:16 pm local time).

Updated Apr. 8, 2024 2:41 PM PDT

When is your next chance to see a total solar eclipse in the US?

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor

Apr. 8, 2024 4:19 PM PDT

The 2024 solar eclipse is the astronomy event of the decade with millions of people expected to travel from Texas to Maine. We share when the next solar eclipses will occur in the U.S. after 2024.

Many regions along the path of totality experienced cloudy conditions . If you missed Monday's eclipse, your next chance to see a total solar eclipse in the United States isn't for a while. It's going to be a long wait, but will end in spectacular fashion with back-to-back events, including the third-longest eclipse of the century.

The next chance many Americans will have to see a total solar eclipse without traveling outside of the country will be on Aug. 22, 2044. Only three states are in the path of totality, including areas of North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. Parts of the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan will also be in the path of totality.

A cross-country eclipse more impressive than those in 2017 and 2024 will unfold over the United States on Aug. 12, 2045. Areas from California to Florida will be plunged into darkness, as well as parts of the Bahamas, Hispaniola and a sliver of South America.

The path of the 2045 eclipse will be a near-copy of the 2017 Great American eclipse , which was seen from Oregon to South Carolina, the primary difference being that the path will be a bit farther to the south.

Solar eclipse finishes its trek across the US

The 2024 total solar eclipse has finished its trek across the US. The eclipse first appeared over the South Pacific Ocean and began its journey across Mexico, then swept across 15 states in the U.S.

The eclipse was visible over Austin at 1:36 pm CDT before sweeping northeast. After moving over New York at 3:15 pm EDT, the eclipse ended on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 5:16 pm local time (3:46 pm EDT).

AccuWeather team and CNN Newsource reporters continue coverage of the eclipse as totality its way through the United States.

WATCH: Totality over Texas

Apr. 8, 2024 3:46 PM PDT

First views of the 2024 total solar eclipse as the moon's shadow makes its way over Texas:

Clouds cover the sky prior to a total solar eclipse, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The moon began covering the sun over Texas just before 1:30 pm CDT. “ The umbra is over land for just 1 hour and 40 minutes before moving into the north Atlantic, ” NASA explained.

To traverse such a large distance in a short time,  the shadow of the moon will move faster than the speed of sound . In Mexico, the shadow will be moving across the land at around 1,500 mph, but it will accelerate as it shifts over the U.S.,  exceeding speeds of 2,000 mph by the time it reaches Ohio .

Watch skies over Kerrville, Texas go dark during totality live on AccuWeather in the video below:

CNN Newsource reporter Ivan Rodriguez reports live as totality plunges Kerryville, Texas, into darkness during the historic total solar eclipse on April 8.

First look at the total solar eclipse in Mazatlan, Mexico

Apr. 8, 2024 2:31 PM PDT

The city of Mazatlan in western Mexico became the first North American community to experience the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.

Footage of the moment was broadcast live by NASA, who told people in Mazatlan they could safely remove their protective eclipse-viewing glasses during the four-minute eclipse.

Here's a look at what millions of viewers experienced:

NASA captured this image of the moon completely blocking the sun from Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 8.

Totality is now occurring in parts of Texas as the moon moves northeast across the Lone Star State and on up through the US.

Countdown to totality: Live from the Little Rock Zoo

Apr. 8, 2024 1:51 PM PDT

Heading back out to the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas where AccuWeather's Bill Wadell is hanging out with the animals to see how they react to totality . He reports skies are looking great for the big event. The moon is expected to block out the sun in Little Rock at 1:51 pm CDT and we will bring you the latest as it happens right here on AccuWeather.com!

How will the animals react to the #SolarEclipse2024 ?! 🌖 We’ll find out together at the Little Rock Zoo… LIVE on @AccuWeather 📺 📱 💻 Excuse us… time for a quick lunch break with the elephants! 🐘 Beautiful conditions, just a few high clouds passing by right now. pic.twitter.com/COqhIonm9H — Bill Wadell (@BillWadell) April 8, 2024

Solar eclipse underway in the US

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather Meteorologist and Astronomy Expert

Apr. 8, 2024 1:11 PM PDT

The moon’s shadow has reached Texas  and will spread across the country throughout the afternoon. 

Nearly all of North America can expect a partial solar eclipse , while a narrow corridor from Mexico to Atlantic Canada will experience a breathtaking total solar eclipse.

Even in areas where only part of the sun is blocked by the moon,  the temperature may plateau or even drop by several degrees . Shadows may also appear different during the partial solar eclipse.

Crescent-shaped shadows are pictured a sidewalk as light passes through tree leaves during a partial solar eclipse in Oklahoma City, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Excitement grows in Ohio ahead of the total solar eclipse

AccuWeather's team coverage of the total solar eclipse continues with extreme Weather Chaser Aaron Jayjack, who is near Lake Erie in Ohio waiting for totality, which is expected to happen in the Buckeye State at 3:13 pm EDT.

He says the skies are clear, and the excitement is palpable among viewers who have brought cameras and telescopes to view the incredible event . Check it out:

Excitement is growing in Ohio ahead of the much anticipated solar eclipse. The last time Ohio was in totality was 1807, and the next time will be 2099.

Waiting for totality live from the Little Rock Zoo

Apr. 8, 2024 12:47 PM PDT

In a little less than an hour, people and animals at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas will experience the total solar eclipse.

As part of AccuWeather's team coverage, AccuWeather's Bill Wadell has been reporting live from the zoo all morning as employees and visitors anxiously wait to see not just the eclipse but how animals will react when the moon blocks out the sun's light.

Wadell has also set up AccuWeather's exclusive ambient weather station to record how much the temperature drops during totality in Little Rock. Take a look:

Bill Wadell is at the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas, where he is monitoring the weather and the animals during the last few hours before the solar eclipse.

While you watch the eclipse, you’ll also be able to feel it

Apr. 8, 2024 11:43 AM PDT

(Credit: SimpleImages/Getty Images)

Changes to temperature, wind speed and humidity happen   as the moon crosses in front of the sun and casts a shadow on Earth’s surface during a solar eclipse. The more sunlight blocked, the more dramatic the weather changes. The effect is comparable to how shaded areas end up much cooler on a hot day than any place in direct sunlight.  

A reduction in solar radiation, no matter how brief, can affect temperatures and other weather. The exact drop in temperature can vary widely based on other factors like cloud cover and the time of year. The time of year matters because the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth affects temperatures, with a higher angle producing more intense sunshine and heat. The sun angle rises throughout the spring, reaches its peak in summer and starts to drop in the fall.

Temperatures during April’s event could drop around 10 degrees for up to an hour in the path of totality , said Andrew White, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. Temperature drops will be less pronounced in partial eclipse areas.

Traffic problems begin as people head toward path of totality in droves

Apr. 8, 2024 11:12 AM PDT

An uptick in eclipse-related traffic could be seen near Flume Gorge, Interstate 93 in New Hampshire late Monday morning. (New Hampshire Department of Transportation)

Roads are becoming packed as people make  last-minute trips to the path of totality , the only area where the total solar eclipse will become visible.

The northbound lanes of Interstate 93 in New Hampshire is one area where a surge of eclipse travelers from Boston and southern New England is resulting in more traffic and slower speeds. 

An uptick in eclipse-related traffic could be seen on the northbound lanes of Interstate 93 in New Hampshire on Monday morning. (New Hampshire Department of Transportation)

Traffic could become even worse immediately following the eclipse as thousands of people begin their journeys home at the same time.

LIVE: Worried about clouds? Check out AccuWeather's live RealVue™ Satellite

Image of AccuWeather's live RealVue™ Satellite of the United States.

If you're worried about clouds spoiling the view of the total solar eclipse where you live you can take a look at AccuWeather's cloud forecast . You can also check out AccuWeather's live RealVue™ Satellite of the United States .

This map displays the latest and most realistic view of Earth from space, as taken from weather satellites . It provides a detailed view of clouds, weather systems, smoke, dust, and fog. 

When will totality happen where you live?

Apr. 8, 2024 10:27 AM PDT

An estimated 32 million people live within the path of totality across the US , or locations where the moon will completely block the face of the sun from view for a few moments.

The eclipse will first appear over the South Pacific Ocean and begin its journey across North America. Mexico’s Pacific coast is the first point of totality on the path, expected at 11:07 a.m. PT (2:07 p.m. ET), and the eclipse is expected to end on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland at 5:16 p.m. local time (3:46 p.m. ET).

Those squarely along the center line of the path will see an eclipse that lasts between 3 ½ and 4 minutes, according to  NASA .

Try and spot these planets during the eclipse

Apr. 8, 2024 10:20 AM PDT

The sun and moon will be the centerpiece of today’s total solar eclipse, but  during the brief period when the sky goes dark, onlookers should keep an eye out for a few other celestial objects .

Five planets may be visible, including  Jupiter and Mercury to the left of the sun and moon, and Venus, Saturn and Mars, which will be to the right of the moon. 

There is also the chance to see  Comet 12P , which will dimly glow between Jupiter and Mercury. EarthSky created a map to help onlookers spot the planets during the brief moments of totality:

At mid-eclipse tomorrow, when the daylight sky turns dark, look for planets near the sun! Venus will be the brightest one. Jupiter will be 2nd-brightest. You might even see Mercury, Saturn and Mars. Read more at: https://t.co/n6c6gePlBg 📸 EarthSky. pic.twitter.com/1R6Hk6BEYu — EarthSky (@earthskyscience) April 7, 2024

No glasses? Make a pinhole projector to view the solar eclipse

To view the solar eclipse you need to protect your eyes. The easiest way is to wear eclipse glasses. If you don't have glasses, the next best option is to make a pinhole projector. It allows you to see what's going on in the sky without looking directly at the eclipse.

A pinhole projector is easy to make and allows you to view the eclipse safely without looking at the sun. All you need are two sheets of paper and a pin or thumbtack.

When viewing an eclipse, you should always protect your eyes with eclipse glasses. If you can’t get your hands on a pair, here’s another alternative.

Poke a hole in the center of one piece of paper and place the second piece of paper (or cardstock) on the ground. This will be your projection screen. Stand with the sun behind you and hold the paper with the pinhole so that it casts a shadow on the paper on the ground.

View the projected image on the paper below! Sunlight should make its way through the hole and be projected onto the center of the shadow. The farther away you hold your camera, the bigger your projected image will be. As the moon passes over the sun, you'll see that circle turn into a crescent and then back to a full circle as it moves onward.

New York Yankees push back start time of April 8 game because of solar eclipse

Apr. 6, 2024 8:39 AM PDT

The New York Yankees announced it will push back its MLB game on April 8 because of the solar eclipse taking place that day.

The home game against the Miami Marlins was originally scheduled to start at 2.05 p.m. EDT. but now has been pushed back four hours to 6.05 p.m. EDT.

When will the eclipse start in New York City?

The sun rises next to the Statue of Liberty during an annular eclipse on June 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

April's solar eclipse will last for over two hours in New York City , beginning at 2:10 p.m. EDT and ending at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The best time to look will be at 3:25 p.m. EDT, when 91% of the sun will be blocked out by the moon.

Fans will still be able to enter the ground from 3 p.m. EDT, with the first 15,000 fans in attendance receiving a free Yankees solar eclipse T-shirt.

Scientists excited to see how animals react during the upcoming solar eclipse

Apr. 6, 2024 8:29 AM PDT

During the Great American Eclipse of 2017, zoo animals acting strangely took researchers by surprise — the giraffes gathered and broke into a gallop, the Galápagos tortoises began to mate, and the gorillas started to get ready for bed.

These odd behaviors were just a few of several anomalies that scientists stationed at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, observed during the historic solar event spanning the United States, according to a  March 2020 report .

Claire Wagner, 3, feeds a giraffe at the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. During the last total solar eclipse in 2017, male giraffes at a South Carolina zoo began to gallop. Researchers will be watching to see if the giraffes in Fort Worth show similar behavior during April's total eclipse. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

“It was kind of amazing and mind-blowing,” said lead study author Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose, professor of biological sciences at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Animal keepers at the  Nashville Zoo at Grassmere  also documented giraffes galloping during the brief moments in 2017 when the sky darkened in the middle of the day.

The Little Rock Zoo is yet another stop on AccuWeather reporter Bill Wadell's path of totality road trip where he caught up with Veterinarian Dr. Sara Stoneburg to see how some animals may react to the eclipse and why most animals won’t be phased by the darkness.

PATH OF TOTALITY ROAD TRIP Stop #4 - The Little Rock Zoo 🦓 🐘🦩 We caught up with Senior Staff Veterinarian Dr. Sara Stoneburg to see how some animals may react to the #eclipse … and why most animals won’t be phased by the darkness. 🌎 🌖 ☀️ pic.twitter.com/nYWJU8MIqR — Bill Wadell (@BillWadell) April 4, 2024

Mark your calendars for April 8 as AccuWeather brings you all-day live coverage of the total solar eclipse. Join us for the event of a lifetime as the eclipse crosses the country from Texas to Maine!

What happens to unprotected eyes when you look at the sun during a solar eclipse?

Apr. 5, 2024 4:06 PM PDT

(Photo credit: Norman Zeb/Getty Images)

Looking at the solar eclipse can severely injure unprotected eyes. Even just a few moments of exposure can harm them; 30-60 seconds is enough to cause permanent damage .

Think of the eye like a camera. Light enters through the lens and then travels to the retina. Light focuses on the retina like film in a camera. Too much light can burn the retina. Because the retina doesn't have pain sensors, you may not even realize this danger until it's too late .

You need eclipse glasses to safely watch the solar eclipse. Even a few short moments of looking at the sun without eye protection can cause permanent damage.

Symptoms of damaged eyes include distorted vision, changes in color vision and blind spots. If you suspect you have damage to your eyes, visit your optometrist for a check-up.

AccuWeather's path of totality road trip and live team coverage

AccuWeather reporter Bill Wadell is taking a 'path of totality road trip' across the United States as he zeroes in on his eclipse viewing destination. He is part of AccuWeather's team coverage of the incredible astronomical event.

Bill's first stop? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where more than 40-thousand people from 48 different states will pack into the speedway to talk to IndyCar series drivers and witness the eclipse.

PATH OF TOTALITY ROAD TRIP Stop #1 - #Indianapolis Motor Speedway!🏁 More than 40K people from 48 different states will pack into @IMS , hoping to witness the total solar #eclipse . INDYCAR series drivers and #NASA experts will be on hand for special presentations and events 🔭 pic.twitter.com/K9eCqFHa8G — Bill Wadell (@BillWadell) April 3, 2024

How to tell if your solar eclipse glasses are fake

Apr. 4, 2024 1:48 PM PDT

A dog is given protective glasses by its owner prior to the solar eclipse in Regent's Park in London, Friday, March 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Eclipse glasses are the most popular way to safely look at the sun, as they use specially designed solar filters that can be worn with ease.

“Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun ,” NASA explained. The solar filters used in eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses.

As the big day draws near, experts say dangerous fakes have infiltrated the market as consumers rush to buy glasses.

The international standard for solar filters and eclipse glasses is ISO 12312-2 , and solar filters with this code printed on them should be safe to use . Still, experts urge onlookers to use caution, as scammers have begun faking ISO certifications.

Real eclipse glasses should not allow the wearer to see anything on a sunny day except possibly the sun’s reflection off a shiny surface or a puddle, which should appear very faint.

‘Shadow snakes’ among surprising effects of solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse can  change the weather and cause animals to behave in unusual ways , but one of the most mesmerizing sights is a phenomenon known as  shadow bands . “ Shadow bands are thin, wavy lines of alternating light and dark  that can be seen moving and undulating in parallel on plain-colored surfaces immediately before and after a total solar eclipse,” NASA said.  Their movement resembles snakes slithering on the ground, resulting in the nickname shadow snakes.

Shadow bands only appear about 60 seconds before totality and the 60 seconds immediately following totality. Additionally, they do not appear during every eclipse, so spectators will need luck to see them on April 8.

San Antonio on border of total eclipse, partial eclipse

Apr. 3, 2024 3:11 PM PDT

Being in the right place at the right time is crucial for seeing a total solar eclipse,  especially in San Antonio , where some areas will experience totality while the rest of the city will only get a partial solar eclipse.  People in the city’s center will only see a partial solar eclipse , along with areas south and east of downtown.  This will be a completely different experience compared to people north and west of downtown San Antonio, where the total solar eclipse will be visible.

A map showing the path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse. San Antonio is right on the edge of the path, with most of the city expected to see a partial solar eclipse. (NASA)

Everyone planning a trip to the path of totality should double-check to ensure they will be in the path , as folks who miss this event will have to wait 20 years for the next opportunity to see a total solar eclipse from the contiguous United States.

Twice in a lifetime: City prepares for eclipse extravaganza

Southern Illinois will be one of the most popular places in the country on April 8 as skywatchers gather at the “ eclipse crossroads of America ,” the nickname for Carbondale, Illinois. The city was in the path of the 2017 eclipse, and will once again see a total solar eclipse this year. “ We have a whole, long weekend of events lined up ,” Eva Fisher, Public Relations Officer for the City of Carbondale, told AccuWeather. Fisher said the entire  weekend will be packed with concerts, expos, and workshops, capped off by the main event on April 8 . Watch the full interview below:

Carbondale, Illinois, was under the path of totality during the Great American Eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. Today, the city prepares to enjoy yet another total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

NASA rockets to blast off during the height of the solar eclipse

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather Meteorologst and Astronomy Expert

Apr. 2, 2024 10:07 AM PDT

This photo shows the three APEP sounding rockets and the support team after successful assembly. The team lead, Aroh Barjatya, is at the top center, standing next to the guardrails on the second floor. (NASA/Berit Bland)

The alignment of the sun, moon and Earth presents a  rare opportunity for scientists to study the planet’s atmosphere  and how it changes during the event. During October’s “ring of fire” solar eclipse across the western United States, NASA launched rockets from New Mexico and  aims to conduct similar launches on April 8 . “ Rockets will launch at three different times: 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak local eclipse ,” NASA explained, adding that the rockets would launch from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The goal is to  collect important data about the Earth’s ionosphere , a region between 55 and 310 miles above the planet’s surface that is crucial for communications. “Understanding the ionosphere and developing models to  help us predict disturbances is crucial to making sure our increasingly communication-dependent world operates smoothly ,” NASA said.

Eclipse fashion tip: Wear red and green

Apr. 2, 2024 10:03 AM PDT

A total solar eclipse can have  unusual effects on animals, the environment and the weather , but the abrupt change in lighting can  play tricks on your eyes . “There’s this thing that happens in the eye as we transition from day to nighttime called  dark adaptation, but it takes about 20 to 30 minutes ,” Dr. Nicole Bajic, an ophthalmologist at the Cleveland Clinic, told AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach. During a total eclipse, day turns to night in a matter of minutes,  too fast for the human eye to adjust . The result is the  Purkinje Effect .

Reds and green will appear much differently during a total solar eclipse than any other day, as demonstrated by AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser Tony Laubach. (AccuWeather)

Reds may look dark or dim, while greens and blues will be more pronounced . “If you have a lot of people around you, if you’re making this a group activity, you could  have some people wear red, some people wear blues and greens, ” Dr. Bajic added.  Click here to learn more about the Purkinje Effect.

Total solar eclipse cloud forecast: Where will clouds spoil the show?

Apr. 1, 2024 9:58 AM PDT

The countdown is on and in a few days, millions of people from Mexico to Canada will see a celestial spectacle unlike any other, but forecasters warn clouds could dash the hopes of onlookers in part of North America .

AccuWeather's latest total solar eclipse cloud forecast is looking promising for some but concerning for others, AccuWeather lead long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok said. " Most places in the vicinity of the path of totality will have to deal with some level of clouds , whether high or low."

Click here to see AccuWeather's total solar eclipse cloud forecast , updated daily through April 8th!

Over 40 million people to see total solar eclipse, weather permitting

Mar. 29, 2024 2:51 PM PDT

People wearing protective eye glasses watch the solar eclipse at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

April’s total solar eclipse could be one of the most viewed astronomical events of its kind in recent history.  Roughly 44 million people live in the path of totality , with millions more expected to travel to the path  in hopes of seeing the eclipse. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the biggest population center in the path of totality, an area that more than 7 million people call home. “For North Americans,  there’s arguably never been a more populated and accessible path of totality, ” SPACE.com said on its website.

Despite the impressive numbers,  it will be a far cry from the most-viewed eclipse in history . On July 22, 2009, a total solar eclipse spanned parts of India and China with  an estimated population of over 420 million people living in the path , according to SPACE.com, roughly ten times that of the upcoming eclipse of April 8.

FAA warns of delays, disruptions at airports in path of totality

Mar. 29, 2024 10:08 AM PDT

A plane flies in front of a partial solar eclipse at the Tianfu Square on January 15, 2010, in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

Major travel hubs from San Antonio through Cleveland are gearing up for a  surge of eclipse travelers, and not just on the roads . The FAA issued a notice that warned of possible  eclipse-induced impacts on air travel at airports in and near the path of totality , which in the United States extends from Texas to Maine. “There may be a higher traffic volume than normal anticipated at airports along the path of the eclipse.  Traffic should anticipate delays during peak traffic periods, ” the FAA explained on its website.  The busiest travel times are anticipated between April 7 and April 10 .

A select few flights plan to take off at just the right time so passengers can see the eclipse from the air . This unique experience will send spectators above potential cloudy conditions. However, the flight needs to take off on time as  any delay could keep the plane on the ground as the moon’s shadow passes overhead.

Don’t have eclipse glasses? Time is running out to buy them online

Mar. 28, 2024 3:03 PM PDT

By this point, you’ve probably heard that you need special eclipse glasses, but depending on how you’re planning to watch the eclipse, there may be more you need to know.

Eclipse glasses will be a hot commodity on April 8 as using the specially-designed solar filter is the only safe way to look at the sun directly, and  the clock is ticking for last-minute shoppers . American Paper Optics is the  largest supplier of eclipse glasses in the United States  and still has glasses in stock, but shoppers need to  place an order before Thursday, April 4 , to have them delivered before April 8. Other online realtors are facing a similar delivery deadline. Shoppers may also be able to find glasses available at  local stores, libraries and eclipse-themed events, although availability may be limited.

Hotel in path of eclipse cancels reservations booked more than 1 year ago

Mar. 28, 2024 9:53 AM PDT

In this Aug. 16, 2011 photo, tourists look at Niagara Falls in Niagara Falls, Canada. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Katherine Wilson and her family have been planning a trip to Niagara Falls for more than a year with hopes of seeing the breathtaking solar eclipse on April 8.  The popular tourist destination is a great spot for eclipse viewing, where the moon will block out the sun for 3 minutes and 30 seconds  with the thundering, world-famous waterfall nearby.  Then, everything changed when the hotel emailed her, explaining that their reservation had been canceled.

“ We presume that they cancelled a bunch of the lower-cost reservations and flipped them to make more money , whether or not that’s true, they’re not telling us,” Wilson told CTV News Toronto. She added that their  initial reservation was around $100 per night,  but last-minute reservations in Niagara Falls have  inflated to more than $1,000 per night . “We feel like  we had the foresight to book way in advance  for the eclipse, and we shouldn’t be punished for that,” Wilson added. According to CTV News,  the hotel explained the reservation was canceled due to a large group extending their stay through April 8 . Anyone who has made hotel reservations for the eclipse is encouraged to confirm the status of their plans before arriving at their destination.

Moon’s shadow to speed across North America at over 2,000 mph

Mar. 27, 2024 2:15 PM PDT

A celestial sprint is about to take place with a dash of darkness that will create a brief but unparalleled sight for millions on April 8. During a total solar eclipse when the moon is between the Earth and the sun,  the moon’s shadow is cast on the planet below . Its dark inner shadow, called the umbra, is responsible for the total eclipse and will race across North America,  starting in Mexico and sweeping across parts of the United States and Canada.

“ The umbra is over land for just 1 hour and 40 minutes before moving into the north Atlantic, ” NASA explained. To traverse such a large distance in a short time,  the shadow of the moon will move faster than the speed of sound . In Mexico, the shadow will be moving across the land at around 1,500 mph, but it will accelerate as it shifts over the U.S.,  exceeding speeds of 2,000 mph by the time it reaches Ohio . Watch the animation below to see how fast the moon’s shadow will move on April 8:

For nature's greatest spectacle, be inside the shadow of the Moon on April 8! https://t.co/Jw0OKS2IiB #eclipse2024 pic.twitter.com/5xpBjlhzAH — Great American Eclipse 🌞🌗🌎 (@AmericanEclipse) March 26, 2024

250,000 eclipse travelers expected to crowd into Pennsylvania city on April 8

Mar. 27, 2024 8:59 AM PDT

This is a sign in downtown Erie, Pa., on Friday, March 22, 2024, heralding the upcoming total solar eclipse that Erie will experience, with a little luck from the weather, on April 8. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

On any given day, Erie, Pennsylvania, is the fifth-largest city in the state in terms of population, with  around 93,500 residents .  But April 8 won’t be a typical day . An estimated  250,000 people are expected to travel to the city  as it will be one of the few places in Pennsylvania where the total solar eclipse will be visible. The sudden surge in eclipse travelers will  catapult Erie past Pittsburgh to be one of the most populated cities in the state, second only behind Philadelphia , which has a population of around 1.5 million.

“ We are going to try to put cars everywhere possible on the roadways ,” Pennsylvania State Police Troop E Commander Capt. Kirk Reese told Pittsburgh-based news station KDKA. “And not only interstates because we know  as soon as the interstates get jammed, everybody’s electronic device will send them to a secondary roadway. ” Travelers should pack their patience on eclipse day, especially after the event is over, as millions of people across the country hit the roads at the same time.  Not only will there be elevated congestion immediately following totality, but there will be a higher chance of accidents  due to the sudden surge of vehicles on roads in and near the path of totality.

National Guard will be deployed for solar eclipse

Mar. 26, 2024 2:46 PM PDT

The southeastern corner of Oklahoma will plunge into darkness during the total solar eclipse, and  although only a small portion of the state is in the path of totality, officials aren’t taking any chances . Three weeks before the eclipse, Oklahoma announced that it will deploy the National Guard on April 8. “McCurtain County Emergency Management requested our support because  they expect up to 100,000 additional people visiting their communities to watch the eclipse ,” said Lt. Col. Jabonn Flurry, 63rd CST commander. “ This influx of visitors has the potential to overtax local resources .”

In this composite photo, the penumbra of the sun is seen behind the moon as the moon moves across its path from upper right to lower left during a partial solar eclipse in Oklahoma City, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City is located outside of the path of totality  and will only experience a partial solar eclipse, but in the  far southeastern corner of the state, onlookers will be bathed in the moon’s shadow for up to 4 minutes and 20 seconds , as long as cloud-free weather prevails.

‘Solar eclipse capital’ of the US gears up for 2nd solar eclipse in 7 years

Mar. 25, 2024 2:42 PM PDT

The next total solar eclipse crossing North America takes place on April 8, 2024. A few towns in Southern Illinois were within the path of totality in 2017 and will be again this year.

Crowds packed into the small town of Carbondale, located in southern Illinois, on Aug. 21, 2017, to see the Great American Eclipse. Now, the  town is making final preparations for another total solar eclipse just seven years later , on Monday, April 8. “ We’re normally closed on Mondays, but due to the eclipse, we decided to open up ,” Marilynn Martin, an owner of a restaurant in Carbondale, told AccuWeather’s Emmy Victor. “ It puts Carbondale on the map .”

The area where the paths of the 2017 and 2024 eclipses intersect has been nicknamed “ the cross . ” AccuWeather Meteorologist and Storm Chaser  Tony Laubach plans on being in this area for the upcoming eclipse  as he was in the same area in 2017 when he witnessed the Great American Eclipse.

Where you need to be to see the total solar eclipse

Mar. 25, 2024 9:00 AM PDT

The moon partially blocks out the sun as a solar eclipse is seen through the clouds over the Gateway Arch Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in St. Louis. The Gateway Arch was just a few miles outside of the path of totality. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The sun, moon and Earth will perfectly align on April 8 to create a spectacle unlike any other in nature:  a total solar eclipse . However,  you need to be in the right place at the right time for a chance to see it , or you risk missing the astronomical event of the decade.

To see the eclipse, you need to be in a narrow area known as the  path of totality , which will cover part of Mexico, a swath of the United States from Texas to Maine as well as parts of Atlantic Canada.  Anyone who is outside of this path will only see a partial solar eclipse , weather permitting. Because of the precise nature of the event, spectators should triple-check to make sure their viewing site is located inside the path of totality.  Even being outside the path by a few miles can be the difference between a partial solar eclipse and a jaw-dropping total solar eclipse.

A map showing the path of totality where a total solar eclipse will be visible on April 8, 2024. (NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)

NASA created a high-resolution map of the event to help people determine where to travel to see the event on April 8.  After 2024, the next total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. will not be until 2044.

Explore more about the solar eclipse:

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7.4 magnitude quake hits Taiwan, strongest in 25 years

By Nectar Gan , Wayne Chang , Jerome Taylor, Antoinette Radford, Deva Lee and Maureen Chowdhury , CNN

Our live coverage of the Taiwan earthquake has moved here.

Search and rescue efforts continue after 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Rescuers are working to free dozens trapped after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast of Taiwan — causing landslides and collapsed structures.

At least nine people have died , more than 900 others are injured and over 100 buildings have been damaged.

The quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years .

Here's what else we know:

• The quake:  The earthquake  hit  at 7:58 a.m. local time, 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of the city of Hualien at a depth of 34.8 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey.
• Aftershocks : The quake was followed by 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 near the epicenter of the earthquake in east Taiwan so far, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Tremors have been felt across the island, including in Taipei. Tremors as high as magnitude 7 are  expected  in the following days.
• Hualien County:  The region where the quake struck, Hualien County, has a population of about 300,000, around 100,000 of whom live in the main city of Hualien. But many in the region live in remote coastal or mountain communities that  can be hard to reach , so it might take time to understand the extent of Wednesday's quake.
• Trapped miners: Taiwan's national fire agency said that 71 people are trapped in two mines in Hualien.
• Power cuts : More than 91,000 households were without electricity, according to Taiwan's Central Emergency Command Center.
• Medical facilities: Hospitals across Taiwan’s capital , Taipei City, are operating normally despite being damaged by Wednesday’s earthquake, according to the Municipal Government.
• US monitoring: The Biden administration is monitoring the earthquake in Taiwan overnight and is prepared to offer assistance, a National Security Council spokesperson said Wednesday. 

71 miners trapped in 2 mines in Taiwan after earthquake, national fire agency says

From CNN's Shawn Deng

Taiwan's national fire agency said that 71 people are trapped in two mines in Hualien after a powerful earthquake struck the island. 

In the Heping mine, there are 64 people trapped, and seven more are trapped in the Zhonghe mine, the fire agency said in a news conference on Wednesday. 

Video shows man swimming in a rooftop pool when massive earthquake hit 

When a magnitude of 7.4 earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, it struck during the morning commute.

Video shows highway roads shaking and even a man being heavily swayed and rocked on a rooftop pool.

Watch the moment here:

Taiwanese semiconductor facilities will resume production overnight following earthquake

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), the chipmaking giant, said on Wednesday that its facilities which were impacted by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake are expected to resume production overnight. 

TSMC reported that their overall tool recovery is at more than 70% within 10 hours of the earthquake striking the island. Safety systems are also operating normally, TSMC added.

The company noted that a small number of tools were damaged but that there was no damage to its extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) tools. Work at construction sites will resume after further inspections are complete, TSMC said.

Earlier, a TSMC spokesperson told CNN they had evacuated some manufacturing plants. All personnel are now safe, TSMC said in an update.

Biden administration monitoring Taiwan earthquake, White House says

From CNN's Sam Fossum

The Biden administration is monitoring the earthquake in Taiwan overnight and is prepared to offer assistance, a National Security Council spokesperson said Wednesday. 

"We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan. The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers," a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.

7 major earthquakes have hit Taiwan over the last 50 years

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed at least nine people and injured hundreds Wednesday, is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years .

Over the last 50 years, the island has experienced a total of seven major earthquakes, the last being a 7.1 magnitude quake in 2006 in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan.

The island sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire , which makes it prone to earthquakes.

See a full list of the earthquakes that have hit Taiwan:

29 aftershocks above 4.0 magnitude have occurred near epicenter since earthquake, US Geological Survey says

From CNN's Sara Tonks 

There have been 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 near the epicenter of the earthquake in east Taiwan so far, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Of these aftershocks:

• One was above 6.0
• 13 have been at or above 5.0
• 14 have been above 4.0.

Forecast during recovery efforts: Tonight's forecast in Hualien City, near the epicenter, calls for increasing cloud coverage. Thursday is looking at mostly cloudy skies with afternoon showers and rain Thursday night and Friday during the day.

Rainfall totals should be relatively light for Taiwan, with models calling for under 25 mm (less than 1 inch) by Friday evening local time.

Watch landslide engulf road after 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

A dashcam camera has caught the moment a large landslide came down a mountain in Taiwan, triggered by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning.

The quake is the strongest to have rattled the island in 25 years, killing at least nine people and leaving more than 150 trapped.

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Solar eclipse cloud forecast means anxiety for totality tourists hoping for clear skies

Laurae Pearson said she's a “little worried” a cross-country roadtrip to see the eclipse might end with a cloudy view . "Eclipse evangelist" Clint Werner hopes his trip from San Francisco to Cleveland will give him a good view of his 21st eclipse. And astrophysicist Antonella Fruscione is constantly refreshing the weather forecast.

Millions of Americans are awaiting a rare solar eclipse on April 8 — nearly the whole country will have a chance to look up and see at least a small portion of the moon clip the sun. But people who made plans to visit the narrow path of totality for the best show are confronting some fickle cloud forecasts that may put a damper on their plans.

Fruscione and 18 friends – some coming from as far away as Europe – have been planning this trip since they all caught the solar eclipse together in Idaho in 2017 . The group has flights and lodging booked to Texas to catch this eclipse in a prime spot.

The anxiety about the eclipse being clouded out is “palpable,” in San Antonio, Fruscione hears from a friend who lives there. So her group, based in New England, is going to make it a game-day call about making the Texas trip — but they plan to view the celestial spectacle “no matter what. When you see a total eclipse, it’s such an incredible experience that all you want to do is see the next one.”

Their chosen viewing spot of San Antonio could be dicey. Recent forecasts have said some kind of clouds are likely in Texas, along with most places along the path of totality, the narrow band of the country that will be directly in the moon's shadow as it crosses the sun.

Forecasters are more optimistic about the northern part of the path, with "Clear skies ... most likely in northern New England and upstate New York, and possible in Arkansas and Missouri," according to a Tuesday forecast from the  Weather Prediction Center , a branch of the National Weather Service.

If the weather in Texas is looking bad Fruscione's group might lose money on their flights and hotels but will still be able to make the drive to another spot in the path of totality that currently has a more favorable weather outlook: Vermont.

“We are ‘lucky’ because we are in Boston, so we still live two hours away by car from the path of totality. So this is why we can make this decision,” she said. 

A party in Ohio will go on, regardless of clouds

Clint Werner of San Francisco is heading to Cleveland to see the eclipse and is hopeful clouds won’t get in the way.

“I’ve got a good feeling” the self-proclaimed "eclipse evangelist," 63, said.

For Werner, eclipses are “elating and mind-altering, you are put in euphoric amazement.” This will be his 21 st eclipse and his husband’s 20 th .

“Our first date I asked if he wanted to go to Chile to see the eclipse and he said ‘Sure.’”

Which is why changing venues isn’t an option for them. Cleveland won’t simply be a chance to experience awe, “the whole cosmic relationship between us and the heavens,” it’s also a big 30 th anniversary and eclipse viewing party with friends and family.

“We’ve got too many people coming, we’ve made this an event,” he said. But as much as he loves eclipses, he's not distressed, partly because he's hopeful for clear weather and partly because he knows whatever happens “we’ll have a great time, a beautiful friends and family reunion.”

There's science behind his good feeling. Clouds, particularly shallow cumulus clouds, tend to vanish during a solar eclipse . Just 15% of the sun needs to be obscured by the moon before some clouds disappear, according to new research  published  Feb. 12 in the journal "Communications Earth & Environment."

Having been to 21 eclipses, he's only been “clouded out” three times. And even those experiences can be significant, Werner said.

In 2019 in South America there were clouds and he found himself in despair. But when the actual eclipse came it was still monumental despite them.

“If you have a good vantage point and a nice 360° view, especially if you’re elevated or in a big flat field, you can see the shadow coming at you. And you can see it on the bottom of the clouds sometimes and have that coming towards you. And then you get the sudden plunge into darkness,” he said.

Checking the weather from the road

A year ago Laurae Pearson, 58 and her husband Kevin Weil, 58, decided to leave their San Francisco home to see the 2024 solar eclipse. They ended up making the viewing part of a 17-day cross-country trip that’s so far included hiking in Zion and Bryce national parks, visiting the Navajo Nation with a planned ending to visit family in Texas.

“We have some friends driving down from Chicago who will meet us, it’s a very celebratory and celestial event,” she said from the car as they headed into Arizona.

She admits she’s a “little worried” and is tracking weather and storm reports every day but so far they haven’t adjusted their travel plans and she doesn’t think they will.

“Mother Nature is going to do what Mother Nature is going to do,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll see an amazing event but even if it’s a disappointment, it’s about the journey and having a wonderful time seeing our family.”

Texas organizer says don't give up hope

In Texas, Downtown Dallas's Chief Marketing Officer Shalissa Perry said it's still a bit early to know exactly what the visibility will be but officials there "are keeping an eye on it." 

"We plan to host our viewing party rain (or cloudy) or shine and it will still be a spectacular day downtown regardless of the eclipse visibility," Perry said. "We have a full lineup of exciting events planned for the entire weekend leading up to the eclipse – and the weather looks magnificent for the weekend."

She cited the National Weather Service Fort Worth's announcement on April 2: “The forecast for Eclipse Day continues to be cloudy, however, not all hope is lost! Widespread upper cloud cover is likely, but dense low clouds look less likely. Don't focus on the exact areas, just yet, as these forecasts will change a bit each day.”

Former NASA astronaut Commander Terry Virts got to see an eclipse from space in 2015 , so while he’s eager to see this one Earth-side, he’s not too worried about the weather.

“It is a good idea to have a backup plan, but it’s hard to be certain that one area nearby will be clear and your spot will be cloudy. You’ll have to make that call early in the day before you can really be sure where the clouds will be. I will be staying put in my spot and hoping for the best!” he said of his favored perch in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area, which is in the path of the totality.

“Even if we can’t see the sun directly, it will get very dark outside, which will be surreal,” he said. “Not as good as having a clear sky, but a total eclipse on a cloudy day should be very interesting.”