How to Find the Shortest Route Between Two Places
Shortest and fastest are not always the same route. Learn how navigation apps choose roads, how to compare options, and when the shorter drive is worth it.
GPS, Maps, Driving Directions
To find the shortest route between two places, enter your start point and destination in a navigation app, then compare the route options it offers before you set off. The shortest route covers the least distance, but it isn't always the quickest, so it pays to check estimated time, road types, and traffic before choosing. This guide explains how route options work and how to pick the one that suits your trip.
Shortest route vs fastest route
These terms are often used as if they mean the same thing. They don't.
- Shortest route: the fewest miles or kilometers between the two points. Often uses smaller roads that cut across rather than going around.
- Fastest route: the least time, based on speed limits, road types, and often live traffic. Frequently uses highways even if the distance is longer.
A 20 km drive through town with traffic lights can take longer than a 28 km drive on a ring road. On the other hand, when the highway is jammed, the shorter local road may win on both counts.
| Shortest route | Fastest route | |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Less distance | Less time |
| Typical roads | Local and secondary roads | Highways and main roads |
| Fuel use | Often lower, but stop-start can offset it | Steady speed can be efficient |
| Best for | Short trips, fuel saving, avoiding long detours | Long trips, tight schedules |
How to find the shortest route between two places, step by step
- Enter your starting point. Use your current location or type an address.
- Enter the destination. Be specific: a full address or a named place avoids ending up at the wrong entrance.
- Look at the route options. Most apps show more than one route with distance and estimated time. In GPS Maps, shortest routes are one of the core features, so compare the distance shown for each suggestion.
- Compare distance and time together. If the shortest option adds only a few minutes, it may be worth taking. If it adds a lot, reconsider.
- Check traffic along the route. Live traffic alerts can show slowdowns that change the picture entirely.
- Start navigation before you drive. Turn on voice directions so you don't need to read the screen.
Tip: For trips with several stops, the order of stops affects total distance more than the route between any two of them. Sketch the order first.
When the shortest route is the right choice
Taking the shortest road makes the most sense when:
- The trip is short. Across town, highway detours rarely save time.
- You're watching fuel costs. Less distance generally means less fuel, especially at moderate, steady speeds.
- Traffic is light. Off-peak hours remove the main advantage of highways.
- The direct road is good quality. A well-maintained secondary road is a pleasant, efficient drive.
When to avoid the shortest route
Shorter can be worse in several situations:
- Unpaved or narrow roads. Rural shortcuts can turn into gravel tracks or single-lane lanes.
- Many signals or school zones. Frequent stops add time and fuel.
- Bad weather. Small roads may not be cleared or treated as quickly as main roads.
- Large vehicles or trailers. Tight turns, low bridges, and weight limits are more common on minor roads.
- Night driving in unfamiliar areas. Main roads are usually better lit and easier to follow.
Tips for getting more accurate routes
- Enable precise location on your phone so the starting point is correct.
- Start from where you actually are, not from home, if you're leaving from somewhere else.
- Recheck before leaving if you planned the route hours earlier; conditions change.
- Use a drop-pin or exact address for destinations like trailheads, warehouses, or large venues with multiple entrances.
- Save offline maps for areas with poor coverage so recalculation still works. Our guide on downloading offline maps on Android covers this.
A quick example
Say you're driving from a suburb to a stadium on the far side of the city. The app offers two options: 18 km through the center, and 26 km on the ring road. Midweek at noon, the central route is likely shorter and close in time. On a Friday evening before a game, the center will be busy, and the ring road may be faster despite the extra distance. Checking live traffic just before you leave tells you which one to take.
Frequently asked questions
Is the shortest route always the most fuel efficient?
Not always. Fewer kilometers helps, but constant braking and accelerating on city streets can use more fuel than a steady highway drive. On short, light-traffic trips, the shortest route usually wins.
Why does my GPS not pick the shortest route by default?
Many apps prioritize time, because that's what most drivers want. Look at the alternative routes shown and compare their distances.
Can I find the shortest route without internet?
If you've downloaded offline maps, many apps can calculate a route on stored road data. Live traffic won't be available until you reconnect.
How accurate are distance estimates?
They're generally reliable for road distance. Small differences can come from where exactly the start and end points are placed on the map.
The best route depends on your priorities on the day. To compare shortest routes with live traffic and get voice directions all the way there, download GPS Maps free on Google Play.