Google Maps doesn’t have a “find the halfway point” button, but you can work it out in a couple of minutes. For a driving midpoint, get directions between the two places, note the total distance or time, and use the step-by-step directions to find where half of it falls. For a straight-line midpoint, right-click the starting point on a computer, choose Measure distance, click the destination, and then click along the line until the total reaches half.
Once you’ve found the middle, search near it for a restaurant, coffee shop, or gas station to meet at. Here’s each method, step by step.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Directions and route steps | A fair meeting point by driving distance or time | Computer and phone |
| 2. Measure distance | A rough midpoint “as the crow flies” | Computer and phone |
| 3. Search along the route | Finding a place to stop partway through a drive | Phone app |
Method 1: Find the halfway point by driving distance or time
- Open Google Maps and click or tap Directions.
- Enter the first person’s location as the starting point and the second person’s as the destination.
- Choose Driving and note the total distance and travel time. For example, 86 miles and 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Divide by two. In this example, the halfway point is about 43 miles or 45 minutes into the trip.
- Open the route’s step-by-step list (Details on a computer, or swipe up on the route in the app). Add up the distances of the steps until you reach about half. Note the road or exit where that happens.
- Zoom in on that spot on the map and search there for a place to meet.
Travel time matters more than miles when one side has city traffic. If time is what you want to split evenly, use the time estimate and check the route at the time of day you’ll be driving.
Double-check your meeting spot
Get directions from each person’s starting point to the meeting spot you picked. If the two travel times are close, you’ve found a fair middle. If not, move the spot a little and check again.
Method 2: Find the straight-line midpoint with Measure distance
On a computer
- Right-click the starting location on the map.
- Choose Measure distance.
- Click the destination. The total distance appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Drag the white dots, or click to add points along the line, until the distance shown equals half the total. That’s your midpoint.
A simpler trick: the middle of the measured line is the midpoint, so zoom in to the center of the line and look for a nearby place.
On a phone
- Touch and hold the starting point on the map to drop a red pin.
- Tap the place name at the bottom, then scroll down and tap Measure distance.
- Move the map so the crosshair is on the destination, then tap Add point. The total distance appears at the bottom.
Straight-line distance ignores roads, rivers, and mountains. It works best in areas with plenty of roads in every direction.
Method 3: Search along your route (phone app)
If you’re driving and want a stop around halfway, the app can search along the route.
- Start navigation to your destination in the Google Maps app.
- Tap the Search icon (magnifying glass) on the navigation screen.
- Choose a category, like Gas stations, Restaurants, or Coffee shops, or type a search.
- Pick a result near the middle of the route. Each one shows how much time it adds to your trip.
- Tap Add stop.
Tips for choosing a halfway meeting spot
- Look for an easy exit. A place right off a highway saves both people time.
- Check opening hours on the place’s listing before you go.
- Share the location. Tap the place, then Share, and send it so everyone navigates to the same spot.
- Share your live location on the day so the other person knows when you’ll arrive.
- For three or more people, check each person’s travel time to a few candidate spots and pick the one that’s fairest overall.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Maps have a midpoint feature?
No. There’s no built-in midpoint tool, so use the directions or Measure distance methods above. Some third-party “meet in the middle” websites calculate it for you using map data.
Is the halfway point by distance the same as by time?
Not always. Traffic, speed limits, and road types can make one half of the trip much slower. Splitting by time is usually fairer.
Can I measure distance in the Google Maps app?
Yes. Drop a pin, tap the place name, and choose Measure distance.
How do I add the halfway point as a stop?
On your route, tap the three-dot menu and choose Add stop, then search for the place you picked.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.