Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps, providing directions and real-time traffic information to help you get to your destination. However, Google Maps includes toll roads by default when planning routes. If you want to avoid paying tolls, you need to manually disable this setting. Fortunately, it only takes a few taps to turn off tolls in Google Maps and find free alternative routes.
Table of Contents
Why Disable Tolls in Google Maps
Here are some reasons you may want to avoid toll roads when navigating with Google Maps:
- Save money: Tolls can add up, especially on longer trips. Disabling tolls allows Google Maps to plan free routes to your destination.
- Avoid traffic delays: Toll plazas often cause bottlenecks and slowdowns. Bypassing tolls can sometimes get you there faster.
- Drive shorter distances: While free routes typically take a bit longer, they are often more direct without weaving on and off toll highways.
How to Turn Off Tolls on Mobile
Turning off toll roads in the Google Maps mobile app only takes a few taps:
- Open the Google Maps app on your iPhone, Android, or tablet.
- Search for a destination or tap it on the map.
- Tap “Directions” in the bottom left.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
- Select “Route options.”
- Toggle “Avoid tolls” on.
The app will now plan routes without any toll roads or bridges. Repeat the process but toggle “Avoid tolls” off to re-enable tolls when navigating.
How to Disable Tolls on Desktop
You can also avoid tolls when getting directions on Google Maps for desktop:
- Go to Google Maps in your web browser.
- Search for a destination.
- Click “Directions” on the left panel.
- Choose a starting point.
- Click “Options” above the route overview.
- Check the box for “Avoid tolls” under Route options.
- Click “Close” to apply the changes.
Now Google Maps will always avoid tolls when showing route options on the desktop site. Uncheck the box to re-enable toll roads.
Customize Which Tolls to Avoid
Google Maps doesn’t allow you to pick and choose which toll roads to take or skip. It’s an all-or-nothing setting. When you toggle toll avoidance on, Maps will avoid every possible toll by plotting alternative routes on non-toll roads.
If you need to take a certain toll bridge or highway, you’ll have to turn off the toll avoidance setting completely during that trip. There is no option to avoid only some tolls while allowing others when planning routes in Google Maps.
How Tolls Are Displayed in Google Maps
Even with the “avoid tolls” setting disabled, Google Maps does not show a map layer with all toll roads and plazas marked. However, when plotting a route, Maps will notify you if the directions use a toll road by displaying a small toll icon on the route overview.
On mobile, you’ll also see the total toll amount expected for the trip before starting navigation. And when using turn-by-turn directions, Google Maps points out exactly when you are approaching a toll plaza.
This allows you to see which parts of your route require tolls without avoiding them completely. But again, there is no map view highlighting all toll roads in an area.
While Google Maps is incredibly popular, it lacks some customization options for tolls available in other navigation apps. For example, Waze allows you to set a toll price limit to avoid only expensive tolls over a specified amount. And apps like TollGuru show toll plazas on the map to help visualize your route.
So if you need more granular control over toll avoidance, consider testing some alternative navigation apps. Each has unique features that provide additional flexibility when it comes to mapping toll routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about disabling tolls in Google Maps:
How do I turn tolls back on after avoiding them?
Simply repeat the steps above but toggle “Avoid tolls” off instead of on. This re-enables toll roads in planned routes.
Can I avoid tolls on only certain days or times?
Unfortunately, no. Google Maps does not allow toll avoidance settings for specific days/times. It’s an all-or-nothing option.
Why am I still seeing some tolls with avoidance on?
In rare cases, every possible route requires some toll passage so Google Maps cannot plot a completely toll-free trip. Try setting alternative start/end points.
Is there a setting for toll price limits?
Google Maps does not allow limiting toll avoidance by price. You can only turn tolls on or off completely for all routes.
Can I choose specific tolls to take or skip?
No, Google Maps lacks an option for picking individual toll plazas/bridges to avoid or allow. It’s limited to avoiding every toll road possible or taking them all when planning routes.
Conclusion
Avoiding tolls in Google Maps only takes a quick settings change on mobile or desktop. While the app doesn’t provide price limits or per-toll customization, this simple on/off option allows bypassing all tolls when possible without extensive rerouting. Consider alternative navigation apps if you need more flexibility in toll avoidance.
