Create a personalized map with Google’s My Maps

Google Maps guides the user to every place on earth. With My Maps, also from Google, anyone can design their own map, with places of interest, accommodations, supermarkets, routes and whatever you need to find your way.

Use My Maps to plan a vacation or day trip or to prepare a city walk. Then activate it on the go in Google Maps on the phone.

As with all Google services, My Maps requires a Google account. If you already have one, simply log in. Otherwise, read ‘Create a Google account’.

Within My Maps unlimited maps can be made, as long as it concerns a place on earth.

• My Maps can be found at the following address: www.google.com/maps/d/
• Log in when needed.
• If you are new to My Maps, you will see an empty page. In the future, all self-made cards can be found here.
• Click on the red button Create new map.
• The map of the Netherlands now appears by default. If you want to make a map of another place on the globe, you don’t have to do anything. When filling the map, it will automatically move to the selected locations.
• Give the new map a name by clicking . in the top left corner Nameless card.
• Under ‘Card title’, enter the name that the card should be given.
• Enter a short explanation under ‘Description’ if necessary.
• click on Save.

Then start filling the card.

My Maps saves every addition or change immediately. That way you can never lose anything.

When making a map, it can be useful to bundle certain things, for example campsites, places of interest, supermarkets and petrol pumps. My Maps has layers for this: a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 10. This way, certain items can be seen at a glance. Bundling in time is also possible: for example, create a layer per holiday week. The division into layers is not mandatory. If that’s more comfortable, just put everything on the standard layer.

The default layer is called ‘Untitled layer’. Change the name in the following way:

• Click the ‘Layer Options’ icon. Those are the three vertical dots next to ‘Untitled Layer’.
• click on Rename this layer.
• Enter a name.
• click on Save.

• click on Add layer.
• A new ‘Untitled layer’ is ready immediately below the first layer.
• Name this layer as explained above.

One layer is the active layer. This can be recognized by a blue stripe along the left side (next to the name of the layer). Locations can be added to it. Click anywhere on the white part of that layer’s rectangle to make it active.

Locations can be added by searching for them via the search bar or by clicking on them.

To add locations from the search bar:

• Click on the white search bar.
• Enter a keyword.
• As you type, the search results come up.
• If the location you are looking for appears on the screen, click on it.
• The map jumps and shows the location.
• Google can also show all kinds of extra data, such as the address.
• click on +Add to map.
• On the left, the location now appears in the active layer.

To add locations by clicking on them:

• Move the map to the desired location.
• Zoom in on the map (this can be done via the scroll wheel on the mouse or by clicking on the plus sign at the bottom right of the map).
• For example, zooming in on Utrecht makes all kinds of locations visible. Such as ‘Shop van Sinkel’, ‘Parkeergarage Springweg’, ‘Domtoren’ or ‘Albert Heijn’.
• Click on a location.
• Google now shows all kinds of extra data, such as the address.
• click on Add to map.
• On the left, the location now appears in the active layer.

Video

Watch the video below to see how locations are added and edited.

As soon as a location has been added to the map, icons will appear below the extra information from Google. From left to right: ‘Style’, ‘Edit’, ‘Add image or video’, ‘Route to this point’, ‘Remove element’.

If the pop-up window with extra info is not (any longer) visible, click left in the box with layers at the relevant location. The five icons have the following functions:

• Style
  Allows you to change the appearance of the location pin. Both the color and the shape of the pin can be changed. Click for the latter on More icons to be able to choose from all available shapes.
• To process
  If necessary, give the location a name of your choice. Enter additional information below. There is no limitation on the length of that information. In this way, the map becomes an entire travel guide. (Click on the icon, enter the name and description and then click on Save.)
• Add Image or Video
  In addition to descriptions, photos and even videos can be added to the location.
• Route to this point
  My Maps can show routes (for car, bicycle or pedestrian) between different locations. It’s actually easier with Google Maps. Further on, an explanation of how to make a My Maps map visible in Google Maps.
• Delete element
  Added a location by accident, or no longer needed? With a click, it disappears from the map.

Next to each layer is a checkbox with a checkmark. Uncheck the box and the layer will become invisible. Place a checkmark to get the layer back.

• Go to My Maps, www.google.com/maps/d/
• Log in when needed.
• Click on the card to be changed.
• Start changing.

The Google Maps app can show maps from My Maps, on the computer, phone and tablet. A route between locations can then easily be displayed on mobile devices.

On the PC

• Surf to Google Maps, maps.google.nl
• Click on the menu (the three horizontal lines at the top left).
• click on My places.
• click on Cards.
• Click on the desired card.

On the phone/tablet

• Open the Google Maps app.
• Tap the tab Stored.
• Scroll all the way down.
• Tap on Cards.
• Tap the desired card.
• Tap a location.
• Then tap Route.
• Tap the mode of transport: car, public transport, walking or cycling.
• Tap on Mine llocation.
• Tap on Choose on the map.
• Move the map to the starting location. Make sure the marker hangs above that location.
• Tap on OK.
• The route appears.