Google Maps can do more for your business than simply show where you are. It can also help people get to you more easily and give Google stronger context about the areas customers may be traveling from. That is especially useful for local businesses that rely on nearby cities, neighborhoods, or densely populated communities for traffic.
A simple way to use Google Maps for this is by creating driving directions from a city to your business, then adding those directions to the relevant pages on your website. You can do this as a clickable link or as an embedded map. Both options are useful. One helps with convenience, and the other creates a more interactive experience right on the page.
Why Google Maps driving directions matter
When you create route-based content in Google Maps, you are doing two practical things at once:
- You make it easier for potential customers to find your location.
- You give Google more location context around your business and the areas it serves.
If someone lands on a city page for your business and sees directions from that city straight to your location, that removes friction. They do not have to search again or figure things out manually. They can just click and go.
This is a smart fit for businesses like:
- Tire shops
- Auto repair businesses
- Restaurants
- Service businesses targeting nearby cities
- Local agencies with city-specific landing pages
When to create one Google Maps route and when to create several
This part depends on how your website is structured.
If you already have a city page for your main location
If the page is specifically for the city where your business is located, you usually do not need multiple sets of directions. In that case, one Google Maps route from the main city to your business is enough.
For example, if your business is in San Jose and you have a page dedicated to that location, you can simply show driving directions from central San Jose to your address.
If your business pulls customers from multiple nearby cities
If you are positioned between several cities, then multiple direction routes can make sense.
For example, if your business is near three surrounding cities, you could create:
- Driving directions from City 1 to your business
- Driving directions from City 2 to your business
- Driving directions from City 3 to your business
This approach works well when nearby areas are all potential customer sources. It helps make each location page more useful and relevant.
A practical example of how this looks on a page
One example is a local SEO agency page targeting San Jose. On that page, the map shows a route from the center of San Jose to the business location. That gives the page a clear local connection and also provides a helpful tool for anyone trying to get there.
This is the basic idea behind using Google Maps directions on city pages. The page is dedicated to your business in that city, and the route supports both user experience and local relevance.
How to create driving directions in Google Maps
The setup is straightforward. You are basically creating a route from a starting city to your business and then deciding whether to share it as a link or embed it on your site.
Step 1: Open Google Maps
Go to Google Maps directly. You can do this by searching for Google Maps or by opening it from Google’s apps menu.
Step 2: Enter the route
Once you are in Google Maps, enter:
- The city or starting area
- Your business as the destination
For example, you might enter something like:
- San Jose
- Your business name
If the route panel does not appear automatically, search for your business first and then select the Driving option. That will bring up the directions interface.
Step 3: Confirm the start and end points
Make sure the starting location is the city you want to target and the destination is your business.
You may see options to add more locations, but that is for stops along the way. For this strategy, you usually want one clean route from the city straight to your location.
Step 4: Review the route options
Google Maps may provide a few route variations. At this point, you have a couple of ways to use them on your website.
- Share the route link so someone can click and open directions directly in Google Maps.
- Use the route details if you want to display turn-by-turn style guidance or a route breakdown.
- Embed the map if you want the route to appear visually on the page.
Option 1: Add a Google Maps directions link to your page
This is the simplest route to implement.
Once your directions are ready in Google Maps, use the share option to copy the route link. Then place that link on your website.
This works well when you want a clean call to action, such as:
- Get directions from San Jose
- Drive here from downtown
- Open route in Google Maps
It is especially useful if your business serves several surrounding cities and you do not want to crowd the page with multiple embedded maps.
Option 2: Embed the Google Maps route on your website
If you want the directions to appear visually on the page, embedding the route is a solid option.
Here is how to do it:
- Create the route in Google Maps.
- Click the Share option.
- Select Embed a map.
- Choose the map size, such as small, medium, or large.
- Copy the HTML code provided.
- Paste that HTML into your website builder where you want the map to appear.
The embed code is standard HTML, so it can be inserted into any website platform that allows HTML blocks or custom code sections.
If you want a balanced option, a medium-sized map is usually a safe choice. It gives enough visibility without taking over the page.
What if you want to show step-by-step directions?
Google Maps also gives you a route details view. This shows the actual breakdown of how to get from the starting city to your business.
You can use that information if it makes sense for your page, but it is usually best used selectively.
For example:
- If you only have one city page, an embedded map may be enough.
- If you have several surrounding cities, listing route links may be cleaner than embedding four separate maps.
- If your page would feel too crowded with multiple maps, keep the design simple and use text links instead.
Best use case for multiple nearby cities
If your business sits between several cities, this strategy becomes even more useful. Instead of forcing everything into one page, you can create separate route-based assets tied to each area.
For instance, if you serve four nearby cities, you might choose one of these setups:
- One page per city with a single embedded Google Maps route on each page
- One main page with a list of direction links from different cities
The second option is often better if multiple embedded maps would make the page feel cluttered.
Where these Google Maps directions should go
The best placement is usually on pages that are specifically designated for that business location or Google Business Profile location.
That includes:
- City landing pages
- Location pages
- Service area pages tied to nearby cities
The key is to match the route to the intent of the page. If the page is about your business in one city, use one relevant route. If the page targets nearby areas, use the route or links that support those areas.
Keep the page useful, not overcrowded
This is one of the most important practical points.
Yes, you can create multiple Google Maps routes. But that does not mean every page needs a stack of large embedded maps.
A cleaner structure often works better:
- Use one embedded map for the primary city page.
- Use multiple links if you are referencing several surrounding cities.
- Only include route details if they genuinely help the user.
The goal is usability first. If the page is easier to navigate and easier to understand, the map content is doing its job.
Final takeaway
Google Maps driving directions are a simple local SEO and usability win. They help connect a city to your business, make it easier for customers to find you, and can add useful location context to your website.
The process is simple:
- Open Google Maps.
- Create directions from a city to your business.
- Choose whether to share the link or embed the map.
- Add it to the right city or location page on your site.
If your business serves one city, keep it simple with one route. If you serve several nearby cities, create separate direction options and present them in a way that keeps the page clean.
That is really the whole strategy. Simple, practical, and easy to implement.
