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How to Avoid Tolls, Highways, or Ferries on Google Maps?

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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About Author
Rishabh

Rishabh is a freelance technical writer based in India. He is a technology enthusiast who loves working in the B2B tech space.

FAQs

With Google Maps, you can instruct the app to generate routes that do not include ferry crossings using the “Avoid ferries” navigation setting. For those who prefer land-based travel or want to avoid potential delays, switching this option can provide directions that prioritize highways and crossings over ferry routes.

In Google Maps, enter your destination, tap “Directions,” select “Route options,” access the options menu (usually three vertical dots), and switch the “Avoid tolls” option to enable it. Once you confirm your choice, Google Maps will create a free route for you to follow.

Take these actions to escape tolls in Google Maps:

  • In Google Maps, enter your destination.
  • To switch to navigation mode, tap “Directions”.
  • Click the three dots that indicate the options menu, then choose “Route options.”
  • Turn on the “Avoid tolls” feature.
  • Once you’ve decided, Google Maps will help you avoid tolls on your route by creating a toll-free route for you to follow. 
  • Once you’ve entered your destination, tap “Directions.”
  • When planning a route, select the options menu (three dots).
  • Select “Highways” under “Route options” to prioritize highways across your route.
  • Once you confirm your selection, Google Maps will create a route that mainly takes you to highways.

Yes, Google Maps can help you avoid traffic by offering real-time traffic information and suggesting different routes. All you have to do is enter your destination and select “Directions,” the application will take traffic conditions into account automatically. If there are delays, Google Maps will suggest different directions so you can get around traffic and arrive at your destination more quickly.

Enter your destination, select “Directions,” and look into the route overview at the bottom of the screen to see toll roads on Google Maps. Along the route, unique icons will indicate toll roads or be pointed out in the directions. This enables you to recognize toll roads and plan your route with skills.