How To Get Google Driving Directions in Words [Text Format] Step by Step
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Why would you need to get Google driving directions in words? This can be very helpful when you would like to:
- Plan a trip offline or away from an internet connection
- Print directions for someone
- Simply have a “map” of written directions.
Text-based directions can be helpful in low-signal areas, for elderly drivers unfamiliar with GPS navigation, or when you want to save or print your route as a backup plan. It’s also useful if you want to share a simplified version of the route over chat or email without sending a map link.
Follow the steps below to access your written directions.
How to Get Google Driving Directions in Words in Text on Mobile
Time needed: 5 minutes
Here is how you can get your driving direction in Google Maps in written form (text format):
- Open Google Maps
Launch the Google Maps app on your Android or iPhone.
- Enter Your Destination
Tap the Search bar, then type the destination you want to drive to.
- Tap “Directions”
Hit the “Directions” button that appears after selecting your destination.
- Choose Driving Mode
Tap the car icon 🚗 to set your travel mode to driving.
- View Written Directions
Swipe up on the route preview card, or tap the “Steps” or “List view” icon.
👉 You’ll now see clear, written step-by-step directions in text format.
Pro tip: You can also take a screenshot or save the route locally using this guide for saving routes on Google Maps.
How to Get Written Driving Directions on Desktop (PC/Mac)
1. Go to Google Maps
Visit https://maps.google.com from your browser.
2. Set Destination
Type your destination in the search bar and click “Directions.”
3. Add Starting Point
In the “Starting point” field, either leave it as “Your location” or type a custom location.
4. Choose Car Mode
Click the car icon 🚗 to enable driving directions.
5. View the Step-by-Step Directions
On the left sidebar, scroll down to see the full list of written directions.
👉 If only the map is showing, click the three horizontal lines or dropdown arrow to expand the list view.
If you’re using Windows 10, you might also compare this with native tools, see how Windows Maps vs Google Maps stack up.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Tip: Can’t See Text Format?
If your directions still show only the map:
- On mobile: Swipe up on the card or tap the “Steps” icon
- On desktop: Look for and click the “List details” icon (three horizontal lines or an arrow)
This will instantly show the full turn-by-turn directions in text format.
Yes. After getting the written directions on the Google Maps desktop site, you can highlight the text, copy it (Ctrl + C), and paste it into Word (Ctrl + V). You can then save or print it like any other document.
Some versions of the Google Maps app limit text selection in the steps view. If you can’t select the directions, try taking a screenshot or use the desktop version via a browser to copy them.
Yes. On both mobile and desktop, tap or click “Share”, then send the link via email, WhatsApp, or text. The recipient can open the route and see the same driving steps on their device.
Wrap Up: Google Driving Directions in Words
Getting Google driving directions in words (text format) is a fast and flexible way to plan your trip, especially when you need a readable, shareable, or printable route. Whether you’re commuting or helping someone who doesn’t use GPS, these steps make it easy.
Want to use these directions offline or save them for later? You can even download Google Maps on Windows for added flexibility.
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