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How to print directions from Google Maps in 5 simple steps

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It's easy to print directions from Google Maps in two different ways. Shutterstock
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Before the days of Google Maps, most turn-by-turn directions were printed so you could refer to the instructions from a sheet of paper while enroute. 

These days, there's much less need for printed directions — as you can even use Google Maps offline — though you may still occasionally want to print something from Google Maps. 

It's easy to print either text-only or text-and-map directions from the Google Maps website. Here's how to do it. 

How to print directions from Google Maps

1. Open Google Maps in a web browser and use it to display directions to your desired destination.

2. In the menu on the left, click "Details."

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Click Details to start printing the directions to your selected route.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

3. In the Details menu, click the printer icon at the top right, then click either "Print including maps" or "Print text only." The first choice displays the overall map image at the top of the page followed by the turn-by-turn directions in text. The second choice prints only the text. 

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Choose whether you want to print text instructions only, or include a map of the route.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

4. Google Maps will display a print preview of the directions. Click "Print" in the upper right corner.

5. Finally, your printer driver will open the printer options dialog box. Configure your printing and click "Print" once again. 

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Complete the printing process using your printer's controls.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.