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European Economic Area (EEA) developers
A waypoint is a location along a route, including the beginning (origin) and end
(destination) locations for a route, and the origins and destinations for a
route matrix.
You have several options on how to specify the location for waypoints, as
described in Specify locations. In addition to setting the
beginning and end locations, you can also add intermediate waypoints that you
want the route to go through, and have a couple of options for waypoint
behavior:
Set intermediate waypoints to specify locations in between the origin
and destination that you want the route to go through. An intermediate
waypoint can be a stopover or pass-through waypoint (see sections below).
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Missing the information I need","missingTheInformationINeed","thumb-down"],["Too complicated / too many steps","tooComplicatedTooManySteps","thumb-down"],["Out of date","outOfDate","thumb-down"],["Samples / code issue","samplesCodeIssue","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-26 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eWaypoints define locations along a route, including the start, end, and any intermediate points.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eYou can customize waypoint behavior, such as setting stops or pass-through points for the route.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eOptions exist to specify vehicle heading or preferred side of the road at waypoints.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eRoutes can be optimized to determine the most efficient order of stops when multiple waypoints are provided.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Waypoint types and options\n\n**European Economic Area (EEA) developers** If your billing address is in the European Economic Area, effective on 8 July 2025, the [Google Maps Platform EEA Terms of Service](https://cloud.google.com/terms/maps-platform/eea) will apply to your use of the Services. Functionality varies by region. [Learn more](/maps/comms/eea/faq).\n\nA waypoint is a location along a route, including the beginning (origin) and end\n(destination) locations for a route, and the origins and destinations for a\nroute matrix.\n\nYou have several options on how to specify the location for waypoints, as\ndescribed in [Specify locations](/maps/documentation/routes/specify_location). In addition to setting the\nbeginning and end locations, you can also add intermediate waypoints that you\nwant the route to go through, and have a couple of options for waypoint\nbehavior:\n\n| Waypoint option | Description |\n|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|\n| [Specify waypoint locations](/maps/documentation/routes/specify_location) | Specify the beginning and end of, and points along, the route. |\n| [Set intermediate waypoints](/maps/documentation/routes/intermed_waypoints) | Set intermediate waypoints to specify locations in between the origin and destination that you want the route to go through. An intermediate waypoint can be a stopover or pass-through waypoint (see sections below). |\n| [Set a stop along a route](/maps/documentation/routes/stop_over) | Specify an intermediate waypoint is a stop along the route, such as for a pickup or dropoff. |\n| [Set a point for a route to pass through](/maps/documentation/routes/pass-through) | Specify an intermediate waypoint that you want the route to pass through. |\n| [Specify vehicle heading for a waypoint](/maps/documentation/routes/location_modifiers#specify_the_vehicle_heading) | Specify the heading of the vehicle when it arrives. Cannot use with side of road. |\n| [Specify side of road for a waypoint](/maps/documentation/routes/location_modifiers#specify_a_side_of_the_road_preference) | Specify the side of road you prefer the vehicle arrives on. Cannot use with heading. |\n| [Optimize the order of stops on a route](/maps/documentation/routes/opt-way) | Specify the direction you want the vehicle to head when it arrives at each waypoint. |"]]
