Navigating Beyond the Super Slab: A Guide to Disabling Highways in Google Maps

So, you’re looking to ditch the drone of the interstate and embrace the scenic route? You’re tired of the endless stream of tractor-trailers and concrete jungles? I get it. There’s a certain allure to the backroads, a feeling of connection to the land that’s often lost on the highway. The short answer to your question: You can’t directly disable highways entirely in Google Maps. But don’t despair! There are several workarounds and settings you can leverage to significantly reduce your reliance on highways and explore alternative routes. Let’s delve into the tactics for highway avoidance.

Understanding Google Maps’ Routing Logic

Before we jump into the “how-to,” it’s crucial to understand how Google Maps thinks. Google Maps is primarily designed to provide the fastest and most efficient route between two points. This often, but not always, defaults to highway travel. The algorithm prioritizes speed, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and traffic conditions. Therefore, simply wishing highways away isn’t enough. You need to nudge the algorithm in the right direction.

Methods for Highway Avoidance

While a direct “disable highways” button doesn’t exist, these are your best bets:

• Avoid Tolls and Highways: This is your first and most crucial step. Within the Google Maps settings (accessible either on your phone or desktop), you can specifically tell the app to avoid both tolls and highways. This significantly alters the routing algorithm, making it less likely to suggest highway-heavy routes.
• Use “Walking,” “Cycling,” or “Public Transport” Modes (Strategically): I know, you’re thinking, “I’m driving, not walking!” But hear me out. Selecting these modes often forces Google Maps to consider roads unsuitable for highways. You can then manually adapt the walking, cycling or public transport route for driving. Be extremely careful when doing this, ensuring the adapted route is indeed safe and legal for vehicular travel.
• Intermediate Destinations: Break your journey into smaller segments by adding intermediate destinations. This forces Google Maps to recalculate the route at each point, giving you more control and opportunity to steer it away from highways. Think of it as ‘breadcrumbing’ your way across the countryside. Each breadcrumb is a destination.
• Explore Alternative Navigation Apps: Google Maps isn’t the only player in the game. Apps like Waze, OsmAnd (OpenStreetMap), and dedicated GPS devices often offer more granular control over routing preferences, including stronger highway avoidance options.
• Manual Route Planning: Sometimes, the best solution is the old-fashioned one. Consult a physical map, identify the backroads you want to travel, and then manually enter those roads as waypoints in Google Maps. This gives you the ultimate control, albeit at the cost of time and effort.
• Exploiting “Fuel-Efficient Routes”: Google Maps now offers “Fuel-Efficient Routes.” While the focus is on saving gas, these routes often favor roads with fewer stop-and-go situations, which can lead to a preference for non-highway options. Experiment with this setting and see if it helps.

Maximizing Your Chances of Success

• Combine Strategies: Don’t rely on just one method. Use a combination of avoiding tolls/highways, adding intermediate destinations, and manually checking the suggested route.
• Review Carefully: Always, always, review the suggested route before you start driving. Look for highway segments and adjust your intermediate destinations as needed.
• Be Prepared for Recalculations: Google Maps is dynamic. If traffic conditions change, it may try to reroute you back onto the highway. Be vigilant and adjust your route accordingly.
• Offline Maps: If you’re venturing into areas with unreliable cell service, download offline maps beforehand. This ensures you can still navigate even without a data connection.

FAQs: Conquering the Concrete Jungle Aversion

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I get on this topic:

1. Does “Avoiding Highways” Guarantee No Highways?

No. It significantly reduces the likelihood, but Google Maps may still incorporate short stretches of highway if it deems them necessary for the overall route. Regular monitoring is key.

2. How Do I Set “Avoid Highways” as a Default Setting?

In the Google Maps app (on your phone), go to: Settings > Navigation Settings > Route Options. Here you can toggle on “Avoid Tolls” and “Avoid Highways”. This will apply to future routes.

3. Can I Avoid Specific Highways, Not Just All Highways?

Unfortunately, no. Google Maps doesn’t offer the ability to selectively exclude specific highways. Your only option is the global “Avoid Highways” setting.

4. Does Avoiding Highways Increase Travel Time?

Almost certainly, yes. Highways are designed for speed and efficiency. Opting for backroads will almost always add to your travel time. Factor this into your planning.

5. How Does Traffic Impact Highway Avoidance?

Heavy traffic on non-highway roads could cause Google Maps to suggest a highway route, even with the “Avoid Highways” setting enabled. It prioritizes arrival time. Be prepared for this potential shift and adapt accordingly.

6. Does Google Maps Consider Road Quality When Avoiding Highways?

Not explicitly. While it might indirectly factor in speed limits and typical traffic flow, Google Maps doesn’t have a specific “road quality” parameter. This means you might end up on some less-than-perfect roads.

7. Can I Suggest Highway Avoidance Routes to Google Maps?

Yes! You can use the “Send Feedback” feature in Google Maps to report routing issues and suggest alternative routes. While this won’t immediately change the algorithm, it contributes to the overall improvement of the mapping data.

8. Is Highway Avoidance Available in All Countries?

Yes, the “Avoid Tolls” and “Avoid Highways” settings are generally available in most countries where Google Maps operates. However, the effectiveness of highway avoidance may vary depending on the local road network and data availability.

9. Does Using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay Affect Highway Avoidance?

No, the “Avoid Highways” settings you configure in the Google Maps app on your phone will be mirrored when using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

10. Can I See the Elevation Profile of a Route Before I Start Driving?

Yes! Once you’ve plotted a route, look for the three vertical dots (menu) at the top right of the screen. Sometimes, a menu option will include an elevation profile, allowing you to preview the ascents and descents along the way.

11. What’s the Best Alternative App for Highway Avoidance?

This depends on your specific needs. OsmAnd (OpenStreetMap) offers excellent offline capabilities and highly customizable routing. Waze is great for real-time traffic updates and community-based reporting. Experiment with a few and see which one best suits your preferences.

12. How Do I Ensure My Chosen Backroads Route is Safe?

Thorough research is paramount. Use Google Street View to preview the roads, check for potential hazards (e.g., narrow bridges, unpaved sections), and be aware of local traffic laws.

By combining these tactics and tips, you can wrest control from the algorithm and embark on more scenic, less-traveled routes. Happy exploring!