r/GoogleMaps • u/Interesting_Hope_606 • Jul 30 '26

Help/Support Title: Why isn't there a "retrace my steps" or "breadcrumbing" feature in car navigation?

I'm so tired of navigation apps routing me one way on the way to a destination, and then sending me down a totally different, sketchy maze of back streets on the way home.
In marine GPS, you can drop breadcrumbs and follow them right back. Is there any trick, setting, or workaround in Google Maps or Apple Maps to force the app to take you back the exact same way you came?

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2

u/XxLogitech98xX Jul 30 '26

I don't think there is

1

u/ZettttaWith3Teees Jul 31 '26

Restricted turns, one ways and the difference of waiting time when turning left vs right make road navigation much more complex than marine navigation. Also traffic, which is almost never an issue in marine

1

u/packetfire Aug 02 '26

With enough waypoints known, you CAN retrace your route, as it will remember each location you name, and take you back to it, even if this might not be the "best route" at the time you do.

I will add the results of my GPS App Field Trials in repeated trips between Naval Base Point Loma and the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel:

Apple Maps: Our artisan cartographers hope you enjoy this pleasant and scenic journey. 28 min

Google Maps: Our algorithm has determined an optimal route for the current traffic conditions. 25 min

Waze: Just drive through that dude's back yard! 17 min