lighthouse road trip

Question

Hi please forgive me for not being tech savy. We want to take a road trip from Illinois to visit the lighthouses in Michigan. Is there a road trip itinerary that you can download into Google maps? i've seen pdfs and images but i don't know how create that in google maps. Is this even a possible thing? thank you in advance!

Answer

Absolutely! Planning a lighthouse road trip in Michigan is a fantastic idea, as the state has over 120 historic lighthouses along the Great Lakes. While you may have seen PDFs or images, you can indeed create a custom Google Maps route to guide your trip, even if you’re not very tech-savvy. Here’s how to approach it:

First, understand that Google Maps doesn’t directly import PDF or image itineraries, but you can create a personalized map using Google My Maps, which allows you to save multiple stops, add notes, and even get directions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Go to Google My Maps (https://www.google.com/mymaps) and sign in with your Google account.
Click “Create a New Map”.
Use the search bar to find each lighthouse you want to visit. Once found, click Add to Map. You can add as many as you like.
Organize your stops: Drag and drop the lighthouse markers in the order you plan to visit them. You can also color-code or add notes for each location.
Once your map is complete, you can save it and access it via the Google Maps app on your phone. Open Google Maps, tap Saved → Maps → select your custom map.
From there, you can navigate from one lighthouse to the next. My Maps doesn’t give step-by-step turn directions automatically like standard Google Maps, but you can open individual points to get driving directions.

If you want a smoother driving experience, consider these tips:

Break your trip into regions: For example, the Upper Peninsula, Lake Michigan shoreline, and Lake Huron shoreline. This reduces long back-and-forth drives and allows for more sightseeing.
Include key lighthouses: Some popular choices are Big Sable Point, Whitefish Point, Holland Harbor, St. Joseph, and Point Betsie.
Allow extra time: Many lighthouses are near beaches, parks, or small towns worth exploring.
Check hours: Some lighthouses are view-only, while others are open for climbing or tours. Plan accordingly.

In summary, while you can’t directly import a PDF into Google Maps, creating a Google My Maps custom map is easy and effective for your lighthouse road trip. Once set up, you can access it on your phone, follow the markers, and enjoy your journey with all the stops conveniently saved.

lighthouse road trip

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