After much testing I found the following to work:
Using linking or copying, get the PC created route to a mobile device (e.g. via text).
When you open it, you will see what the OP describes: the route with a Preview but no "Start" driving feature.
Now, in order to get a "Start" button and commence navigation:
- Click on the vertical ellipsis in Maps with your route displayed,
- click on Edit Stops,
- click on Add Stop,
- select "Your Location",
- move your location new stop to the top,
- and press "Done"
The Start button should now appear and you can navigate.
It is not what one would call obvious.
Answer from Paul Sears on Stack ExchangeVideos
After much testing I found the following to work:
Using linking or copying, get the PC created route to a mobile device (e.g. via text).
When you open it, you will see what the OP describes: the route with a Preview but no "Start" driving feature.
Now, in order to get a "Start" button and commence navigation:
- Click on the vertical ellipsis in Maps with your route displayed,
- click on Edit Stops,
- click on Add Stop,
- select "Your Location",
- move your location new stop to the top,
- and press "Done"
The Start button should now appear and you can navigate.
It is not what one would call obvious.
I see what you mean.
It seems that "My Maps" is really for creating static maps to share/embed. It's not "dynamic" in the sense of getting directions, traffic, etc.
I believe it has to do with the "layers" you can add to the map. The underlying map is just a layer of it's own and provides structure to the other stuff you add to it.
To give directions you need to use the fully-baked map. It makes sense, I suppose, since traffic, construction, etc., is something you need up-to-date information on, and your static "My Map" may be out of date.
It's easy enough to save directions. Just take the URL that you get when you search for directions. (U.S. Capitol Building to White House. Look at all of that information embedded in that URL.) If you're concerned about sharing something so complicated with someone, it's easy enough to pass it to an URL shortener like goo.gl.
Hi, I've set up a custom route from one destination to another using "My Maps" the route is a cylcing commute route I've drawn out using some off road areas.
I've worked out how to access maps I've created from My Maps on Google maps but I can't get it to use the route when I want to navigate on that chosen route.
Can anyone assist? I've tried googling and YouTube and can't find anything on this.
Is there an easier option without using My Maps? Perhaps editing a route and saving it on Google maps for future use?