Google Maps - avoid tolls, ferries and highways
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How to avoid Tolls, Highways, or Ferries on Google Maps?

Published: March 11, 2024 | Updated: August 18, 2025

Google Maps has completely changed the way we navigate the world. It offers precise directions, up-to-date traffic data, and even alternative routes. But sometimes, for various reasons—like saving money, choosing a beautiful route, or just having an easy drive—you might choose to avoid tolls, highways, or ferries. This guide will show you how to customize Google Maps settings to stay clear of highways, ferries, and tolls for a more effective and individualized navigation experience.

Customize Google Maps Navigation Preferences

To start personalizing your navigation settings, go to Google Maps‘ settings. Follow the steps mentioned below.

  1. Start your computer’s Google Maps browser or launch the Google Maps app on your smartphone.
  2. Use the search bar to find your destination, then select “Directions” from the menu.
  3. To access the menu after the route has been displayed, click the three horizontal lines in the upper-left corner of the screen.

  4. In the menu, choose “Route options” 

Google Maps - avoid tolls, ferries and highways

How to Avoid Tolls on Google Maps?

You can change your Google Maps settings to take a toll-free route if that’s what you prefer:

  1. Locate the “Avoid > Tolls” change switch under the “Route options” menu.
  2. If you select the “Avoid > Tolls” option, Google Maps will alter the route and offer options without tolls.
  3. Go over the revised route options and pick the option that best fits your needs. 
Google maps- avoid tolls

How to Avoid Highways on Google Maps?

For individuals looking for a less hectic and more appealing route away from motorways, Google Maps provides an easy fix:

  1. Find the “Avoid > Highways” change switch under the “Route options” menu.
  2. After selecting the “Avoid > Highways” option, Google Maps will produce redirects around busy roads.
  3. Look over the new route options and select the one that best suits your way of travel.
Google maps-avoid highways

How to Avoid Ferries on Google Maps?

Avoiding ferries if you are pressed for time or want to be on dry land can be very important. This is how you do it:

  1. Locate the on-off switch marked “Avoid > Ferries” under the “Route options” menu.
  2. Google Maps will offer routes that do not include ferry crossings if you enable the “Avoid > Ferries” option.
  3. Review the revised routes and pick the one that best meets your requirements.
Google maps-avoid ferries

How can you avoid all tolls, highways, and ferries on Google Maps?

If you want to avoid every toll, highway, and ferry while navigating, select each under the “Routes Option” menu. You will get updated routes on your Google Maps. Choose the route that best suits your needs.

Google Maps-avoid tolls, highways and ferries

Avoid Tolls, Highways, or Ferries using NextBillion.ai’s Directions API

If you are a business owner or logistics service provider looking to integrate this functionality into your application, NextBillion.ai’s Directions API is your solution.

Directions API provides an easy way to enhance applications’ directions functionality. Users can easily compute routes between two places while adding multiple waypoints for different driving modes, such as `car` or `truck,` while avoiding `tolls`, `highways`, `ferries`, or all of these. 

Refer to NextBillion.ai’s Directions API for more information.

Ready to experience seamless navigation customization? Book a demo now to see NextBillion.ai’s Directions API in action!

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