By | May 14, 2025
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How To Avoid Gravel Roads On Google Maps

To avoid gravel or unpaved roads on Google Maps, especially when driving or riding a motorcycle, follow these tips—though it’s important to know that Google Maps does not have a specific “avoid unpaved roads” toggle like it does for highways or tolls. However, you can work around this:

✅ 1. Use “Avoid Highways” or “Avoid Ferries” Options (but cautiously)

  • These settings won’t specifically avoid gravel roads but can help avoid routes through remote, less-developed areas where gravel roads are more common.
  • How to access:
    • Enter your destination.
    • Tap the three dots (⋮) or settings icon.
    • Tap Route options or Options.
    • Toggle “Avoid highways,” “Avoid tolls,” or “Avoid ferries” as needed.

✅ 2. Use Satellite or Terrain View

  • Before starting your trip, switch to Satellite View and zoom in on questionable segments of your route to visually inspect road surfaces.
  • Gravel roads often appear lighter, patchy, or less defined than paved roads.

✅ 3. Use Street View (Where Available)

  • Drop the yellow Street View icon on the route to check if the road is paved.
  • This is especially useful for rural or unfamiliar areas.

✅ 4. Choose an Alternate Route Manually

  • After getting directions, tap the gray alternative routes offered by Google Maps.
  • Choose routes that pass through larger roads or towns—these are more likely to be paved.

✅ 5. Use Another App That Supports Avoiding Unpaved Roads

If avoiding gravel roads is critical (e.g., for motorcycles or RVs), consider using:

  • 🏍️ Rever or Kurviger – Motorcycle-focused apps that let you avoid unpaved roads.
  • 🚐 RV Life or CoPilot GPS – Designed for RVs, with more control over road types.
  • 🚗 Waze – While not always better, it sometimes routes differently and may avoid rougher terrain.

✅ 6. Report Gravel Roads to Google

  • If you end up on an unexpected gravel road, use the “Send feedback” option in the app to report incorrect road type data.
  • This helps improve routing over time.

⚠️ Notes

  • Rural or mountainous regions are more likely to have gravel roads.
  • Google Maps prioritizes shortest time, not road surface quality—so inspect carefully if road condition matters to you.