How to Use Apple Maps Route Planner to Plan Multiple Stop Routes

Apple Maps used to lag so far behind Google Maps it became a running joke. For years, it was a subpar product that suffered data quality issues such as inaccurate location data, confusing directions, and even roads that didn’t exist. 

That has gradually been changing over the years with a product that some would say surpasses the quality of its main competitor. With a vastly improved product now available, iPhone users are now increasingly turning to the Apple Maps route planner to plan their routes. 

If you’re looking to make the switch to Apple Maps and want to get started, or even if you’re already using the app and looking for some tips to use it more effectively, I’ll cover them all in this quick guide.

The Apple Maps Route Planner allows you to easily plan your journeys by setting up driving, walking, cycling, or public transit routes between various locations. They offer a simple and intuitive interface design perfect for the average user. You can organize trips with multiple destinations with a list of great features that include: 

• Multiple Stops
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation
• Real-Time Traffic Information
• Offline Maps
• Dynamic Rerouting
• Find Your Parked Car
• Topographic Maps
• Look Around
• Integrations

Real-time turn-by-turn directions can be sent directly to the Apple device of your choosing, whether it's your iPhone, Apple CarPlay, or Apple Watch. The Apple Watch even provides haptic feedback, letting you know when you need to take an action. It also integrates seamlessly with Siri, so you can use voice commands to navigate wherever you need to go. The Look Around feature offers 360-degree panoramic views of your chosen location so you can take a virtual walk through your chosen streets before you set out on your journey. 

The Apple Maps route planner will get you from point A to point B as quickly as possible. But you can also add up to 15 stops to your route if you wish to take longer journeys with multiple stops. This is an advantage over the Google Maps route planner which only offers ten stops. Another advantage over Google Maps is that Apple is renowned for their user privacy, something which is increasingly an issue with users.

If you’re looking for a simple and easy-to-use navigation tool on your Apple device, Apple Maps is a great option.

Let me take you on a step by step guide to mapping out your own multi-stop route with Apple Maps.

Step 1: Open Apple Maps app

This is how your screen will appear once you open the Apple Maps app.

Step 2: Enter Your Starting Point

Tap and hold any spot on the map, or enter an address in the search bar, then select Directions.

Step 3: Set Your Start Location

Apple Maps typically defaults to your current location. If you need a different starting point, enter it manually. 

Step 4: Add More Stops

To add more stops all you need to do is select "Add Stop". Continue adding stops as needed. Remember you can only add a maximum of 15 stops.

Step 5: Find the Fastest Route Manually

Apple Maps does not automatically optimize routes for multiple stops, so you must manually rearrange the stops and check the estimated times to find the fastest route.  To adjust the order, drag the three lines next to each stop to a new position, then compare the estimated times of arrival (ETAs) for different routes; optimizing a multi-stop route can be time-consuming without a route planner with unlimited stops.

Step 6: Start Navigation

Once you have your preferred route sequence, tap "Go" to start navigation.

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The answer to "is Apple Maps better than Google Maps?" isn’t so straightforward. After testing both apps, I found it difficult to separate them based on their navigation features. 

Both got me to where I wanted to go relatively easily, with the turn by turn directions simple to follow. However when it comes to multiple stops, Apple clearly has the edge with 15 stops vs Google's 10 stops. 

As I’ve previously stated, Apple has a sleek, simple, and easy-to-use interface that in my opinion trumps Google’s. At times, Google's layout can feel like sensory overload. Below the search bar you will find buttons for supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, and more. This information can be searched for relatively easily in the search bar, so it feels unnecessary to have it in front of view all the time. Apple's design is minimalist, something I feel a route planner should be.  

Where Apple Maps maybe falls behind Google Maps is in its data collection approach. Unlike Google, which collects extensive location and usage data from its users, Apple Maps prioritizes user privacy which means they have less data to analyze for identifying trends or improving overall app functionality. 

For example, both provide real-time traffic updates, but Google Maps' is able to leverage more accurate traffic information from its millions of users, which contributes to faster updates and more detailed traffic incident reporting. Apple Maps relies on a mix of historical and real-time data, but it may not achieve the same level of accuracy, especially in less populated areas.

Badger Maps

Price: Business - $58/user/mo, Enterprise - $95/user/mo, (Free 7-day trial)

Capterra Rating: 4.6/5

Get it: Android | iOS

If you’re looking to create routes with more than 15 stops, you’d be hard pressed finding a better option than Badger Maps. 

With Badger Maps, you can automatically plan, route, and maximize the time you spend on the road and cut down driving time by 20%. 

With Badger Maps, you can take your long list of stops and turn it into a drivable, optimized route. You can display your stops with different colored pins and apply fully customizable filters that allow you to visualize accounts based on priority, type, next step, or any other field you find useful. 

Offering capabilities such as route optimization, lead generation, map visualization, and automated data gathering from the field, Badger Maps helps you save time on your daily planning, maintain better relationships with your customers, and even find new ones in your area.

By optimizing your routes, something you can’t do with Apple Maps, you will save money on gas and make more stops, faster! 

If you're looking to create routes with multiple stops, look no further than Badger Maps. 

You will reduce your average drive time by 20% and free up an average of 8 hours a week.  

Sign up for a free trial today or schedule a demo to see how you can get the fastest route to all your appointments using Badger Maps!

MapQuest

Price: Free version, Basic - $119/mo, Plus - $249/mo, Business - $449/mo, Business + ERG - 599/mo, Business Plus - $949/mo, Business Plus + ERG - $1119/mo  

Capterra Rating: 3/5

Get it: Android | iOS

MapQuest was one of the original commercial route planners, being released all the way back in 1996. 

MapQuest is a good option if you’re looking for a no-frills, free route planner. The free version allows you to add up to 26 stops, with some other features including point-of-interest search, voice-guided navigation, real-time traffic updates, and even hotel booking options. 

Although free for up to 26 stops, Mapquest is no longer at the cutting edge of technology and it might be wise to choose another route planner with unlimited stops. 

Waze

Price: Free

Get it: Android | iOS

Waze is one of the most popular route planners in the world, helped massively by the backing of Google's parent company Alphabet, who acquired it in 2013. It’s great for simple routing, getting you from A to B in good time, allowing for one extra stop. This is one point where it lacks as it doesn’t allow you to create routes for multiple stops. 

It is a pretty reliable route planner as it collects real-time traffic updates from its users. You can also see which roads have a history of accidents on them, providing you with the information you need to make the safest journey possible. 

They provide fun, engaging themes for you to choose from, along with the option to get voice directions from popular celebrities! Imagine getting directions from Arnold Schwarzenegger or Morgan Freeman - pretty cool, right? If you want a reliable route planner that will get you to where you want to go, Waze is a good option.

Check out our guide to discover more about the Waze route planner!

Apple Maps is one of the best route planners available today. However, if you’re looking to use it as a multi-stop route planner, you may find that it’s worth your while investing in a paid route planner that can handle both multi-stop routes and route optimization. Why? Because although Apple Maps allows you to add 15 stops to your routes, it doesn’t optimize them. So you will have to figure out the most efficient route yourself, something for busy drivers, such as those working in delivery, field sales, or field services.

If you are looking for the Apple Maps alternative that is capable of creating routes for multiple stops, look no further than Badger Maps. Badger Maps can create routes with up to 120 stops, which means if you are working in some of the industries mentioned above, you can easily plan your routes for the week ahead.

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