# 📍 Navigation Apps With a "Shortest Distance" Button Google Refuses to Add

**URL:** <https://onehack.st/t/navigation-apps-with-a-shortest-distance-button-google-refuses-to-add/316760>\
**Category:** Tutorials & Methods\
**Tags:** tools\
**Created:** [January 11, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/navigation-apps-with-a-shortest-distance-button-google-refuses-to-add/316760 "2026-01-11T16:23:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PlayBoy83](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/playboy83/32/164314_2.png) [@PlayBoy83](https://onehack.st/u/PlayBoy83)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/navigation-apps-with-a-shortest-distance-button-google-refuses-to-add/316760/1 "2026-01-11T16:23:17Z")

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# ⛽ Drive Less, Save Fuel — Every Shortest-Path App and Trick Listed

* * *

> **🗺 One-Line Flow:** Every app and trick that finds the _actual_ shortest distance — not Google’s “optimization” that adds 10-30% to your drive.

* * *

## 💀 Why Your Navigation App Hates You

Google Maps doesn’t care about shortest distance. It optimizes for _their_ goals: highways (better traffic data), partners (revenue), predictable routes (fewer complaints). You pay in extra kilometers.

**The fix:** Apps that let YOU define “best.” Free. Offline. No signup. Some literally have a “shortest distance” button that Google refuses to add.

This isn’t theory — Uber drivers complain their apps deliberately suggest longer routes _after_ passengers already paid the fare.

* * *

> **🏆 TIER 1: Apps With an Actual 'Shortest Distance' Button**
>
> These apps have what Google refuses to build — a toggle that says “I want the shortest distance, not your opinion.”
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 1. HERE WeGo ⭐ The Hidden Champion
> 
> **What it is:** Free navigation app used by BMW, Audi, Mercedes in their dashboards. Professional-grade.
> 
> **The magic:** `Settings → Route Preferences → SHORTEST`
> 
> Not “fastest.” Not “eco-friendly.” Literally _shortest distance._
> 
> **Real story:** One user was getting 1hr40min routes. Switched to “Shortest Distance” — 40 minutes. Same destination. Google was routing them around the entire city.
> 
> **Also does:**
> 
> - Offline maps for 100+ countries
> - Avoid tunnels, unpaved roads, tolls (all toggleable)
> - Free. No premium tier for basics.
> 
> 📱 **Get it:** [wego.here.com](https://wego.here.com) — iOS / Android / Web
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 2. Magic Earth
> 
> **What it is:** Privacy-focused navigation. No tracking, no data collection.
> 
> **The magic:** `Settings → Navigation → Route Type → SHORTEST ROUTE`
> 
> **Catch:** Recently went freemium (Dec 2025). Basic navigation free, offline maps need $19.99/year premium.
> 
> 📱 **Get it:** [magicearth.com](https://magicearth.com)
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 3. TomTom (Devices & MyDrive Web)
> 
> **What it is:** The company that powers Apple Maps and Uber’s mapping.
> 
> **The magic:** `Route Options → Shortest Route`
> 
> Also offers “Winding route” (most curves) and “Eco route” — but crucially, has explicit “shortest distance” that Google lacks.
> 
> 🌐 **Plan online:** [plan.tomtom.com](https://plan.tomtom.com)
> 
> * * *

> **🌐 TIER 2: Free Web Tools (Zero Install, Use Right Now)**
>
> No app download. No signup. Just open the URL and plan a route that prioritizes distance.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 4. GraphHopper Maps ⭐ The Power User’s Secret Weapon
> 
> **What it is:** Open-source routing engine with a free web interface.
> 
> **The magic:** Click the “custom” button and paste this:
> 
> ```json
> { "distance_influence": 2000 }
> 
> ```
> 
> This tells the algorithm: “I’d rather drive 2km extra than save 1 minute on highways.”
> 
> **Translation:** Pure distance priority.
> 
> **Also supports:** Car, bike, foot, wheelchair, truck, scooter. Export GPX to any device.
> 
> 🌐 **Use now:** [graphhopper.com/maps](https://graphhopper.com/maps)
> 
> **Pro move:** Add this to avoid highways entirely:
> 
> ```json
> {
> "priority": [
> { "if": "road_class == MOTORWAY", "multiply_by": "0.1" }
> ],
> "distance_influence": 2000
> }
> 
> ```
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 5. OpenRouteService Maps
> 
> **What it is:** Academic project from University of Heidelberg. Serious engineering, free to use.
> 
> **The magic:** `Settings → Shortest`
> 
> Supports car, bike, wheelchair, HGV (truck). Can avoid highways, tolls, ferries, even borders.
> 
> 🌐 **Use now:** [maps.openrouteservice.org](https://maps.openrouteservice.org)
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 6. BRouter-Web ⭐ The Cycling King (Also Works for Cars)
> 
> **What it is:** Extremely customizable routing with 30+ profiles.
> 
> **The magic:** Select profile: `shortest` or `car-eco`
> 
> Originally built for cyclists who wanted to avoid traffic, but works beautifully for cars wanting pure distance optimization.
> 
> 🌐 **Use now:** [brouter.de/brouter-web](https://brouter.de/brouter-web)
> 
> **Bonus:** Integrates with OsmAnd mobile app for offline navigation.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 7. OSRM Demo (The Algorithm Itself)
> 
> **What it is:** The actual Open Source Routing Machine that powers many navigation services.
> 
> **The magic:** It calculates _actual_ shortest path by road network distance. No commercial bias. No “comfort” weighting.
> 
> 🌐 **Use now:** [router.project-osrm.org](http://router.project-osrm.org)
> 
> **API (free, unlimited):**
> 
> ```auto
> https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/START_LON,START_LAT;END_LON,END_LAT
> 
> ```
> 
> * * *

> **📱 TIER 3: Mobile Apps That Tend Toward Shorter Routes**
>
> These don’t have an explicit “shortest” toggle, but their design philosophy naturally produces more direct routes than Google.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 8. Organic Maps ⭐ Recommended Default for Daily Use
> 
> **What it is:** 100% free, no ads, no tracking, no data collection. Made by the original [Maps.Me](http://Maps.Me) developers before it got bought and ruined.
> 
> **Why it finds shorter routes:** Uses OpenStreetMap data with no commercial optimization. Finds paths Google literally hides because there’s no business reason to show them.
> 
> **The vibe:** Download your region once. Works forever. No internet needed.
> 
> 6M+ downloads. The privacy nerds love it.
> 
> 📱 **Get it:** [organicmaps.app](https://organicmaps.app)
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### 9. OsmAnd (Power User Territory)
> 
> **What it is:** The Swiss Army knife of navigation. Does everything. Steep learning curve.
> 
> **Closest to “shortest”:** `Settings → Navigation → Route Parameters → Fuel-efficient way`
> 
> Fuel-efficient often means shorter distance (less driving = less fuel).
> 
> **Pro setup:** Install BRouter app → Configure “shortest” profile → In OsmAnd: `Navigation Type → BRouter (offline)`
> 
> Now you have true shortest-path routing on your phone.
> 
> 📱 **Get it:** [osmand.net](https://osmand.net)
> 
> * * *

> **🔧 Google Maps Workarounds (If You Must Stay)**
>
> You’re committed to Google. Fine. Here’s how to fight back.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Method 1: The Settings Hack
> 
> ```auto
> Settings → Navigation → Route Options:
> ✅ Avoid Highways
> ✅ Avoid Tolls  
> ✅ Avoid Ferries
> 
> ```
> 
> **Effect:** Forces local roads. Often shorter distance because Google can’t push you onto 20-mile highway loops.
> 
> **Catch:** These settings persist. You’ll need to disable them when you actually want highways.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Method 2: URL Parameter Hack
> 
> Add `&dirflg=h` to any Google Maps URL:
> 
> ```auto
> https://www.google.com/maps/dir/START/DESTINATION&dirflg=h
> 
> ```
> 
> | Parameter | Effect |
> | --- | --- |
> | `dirflg=h` | Avoid highways |
> | `dirflg=t` | Avoid tolls |
> | `dirflg=w` | Walking mode |
> | `dirflg=b` | Biking mode |
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Method 3: The Waypoint Drag Trick
> 
> 1. Get directions A → B
> 2. See that blue route line? **Click and DRAG** it to the road you actually want
> 3. This creates a waypoint that forces that specific path
> 
> You’re gaming the algorithm by manually inserting cost into roads you want to avoid.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Method 4: Compare the Gray Routes
> 
> 1. Enter destination
> 2. Look at ALL gray alternative routes (not just the blue one)
> 3. Tap each gray route → Note the **KM/miles** (ignore the time)
> 4. Pick the one with shorter DISTANCE
> 
> Google shows alternatives but highlights the one _it_ wants you to take.
> 
> * * *

> **🏍️ SPECIAL: Motorcycle & Scenic Routes**
>
> Different goal: Avoid highways, maximize curves, find beautiful roads.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Kurviger ⭐ The Curvy Road Master
> 
> **What it is:** Motorcycle navigation built around a “curviness” slider.
> 
> **The magic:** Slide toward “curvy” and it actively seeks winding backroads. Explicitly avoids highways.
> 
> Built on GraphHopper engine. German engineering for people who actually enjoy driving.
> 
> 🌐 **Web:** [kurviger.com](https://kurviger.com)  
> 📱 **Apps:** iOS / Android
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Calimoto
> 
> **What it is:** AI-generated curvy routes. Tell it how long you want to ride and which direction — it builds a loop.
> 
> **Bonus:** Tracks lean angles for the data nerds.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### REVER
> 
> **What it is:** Community-shared scenic routes. Filter by “twistiness” and elevation.
> 
> Think Strava, but for the joy of driving instead of suffering.
> 
> * * *

> **📊 Quick Decision Matrix**
>
> | What You Need | Best Tool | Why This One |
> | --- | --- | --- |
> | Explicit “shortest distance” toggle | **HERE WeGo** | Only mainstream app with clear setting |
> | Web-based, no install | **GraphHopper Maps** | Custom model + GPX export |
> | Offline, privacy-focused | **Organic Maps** | Free, no tracking, direct routes |
> | Power user customization | **OsmAnd + BRouter** | Full control over routing logic |
> | Stuck in Google ecosystem | Enable all “Avoid” options | Best workaround available |
> | Professional/truck routing | **HERE WeGo Pro** | Vehicle-specific restrictions |
> | Cycling | **BRouter-Web** or [cycle.travel](https://cycle.travel) | Traffic-free path priority |
> | Motorcycle | **Kurviger** | Curviness slider, avoids highways |
> 
> * * *

> **🔬 Technical Deep Dive: Why Google Does This**
>
> Not conspiracy. Just different goals.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Google’s Multi-Objective Optimization
> 
> Google Maps optimizes a weighted combination of:
> 
> 1. **Time** (primary — they measure success by ETA accuracy)
> 2. **Road “quality”** (prefers main roads with better data)
> 3. **Turn complexity** (fewer turns = higher score)
> 4. **Historical reliability** (predictable routes = fewer complaints)
> 5. **Fuel efficiency** (since 2021, the “eco” routes)
> 6. **Safety metrics**
> 7. **Commercial factors** (unconfirmed but strongly suspected)
> 
> **Distance is NOT a primary objective.**
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### The Algorithm Reality
> 
> | Service | Algorithm | Optimization Goal |
> | --- | --- | --- |
> | Google Maps | Proprietary (modified Dijkstra/A\* with ML) | Time + comfort + mystery sauce |
> | OSRM | Contraction Hierarchies | Pure shortest path |
> | GraphHopper | Configurable custom models | Whatever you tell it |
> | BRouter | Penalty-based cost functions | Fully customizable |
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Why “Shortest” Isn’t Default Anywhere
> 
> User studies consistently show people prefer:
> 
> - “Fastest” over “shortest”
> - Main roads over residential shortcuts
> - Predictable routes over optimal ones
> 
> So ALL navigation apps default to time/comfort, not distance.
> 
> The apps that offer “shortest” bury it in settings because most users don’t want it.
> 
> You’re not most users.
> 
> * * *

> **💻 Developer Corner: APIs & Scripts**
>
> For when you want to build something or automate route comparisons.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Free OSRM API (Unlimited, No Key Required)
> 
> ```python
> import requests
> 
> def shortest_km(start_lon, start_lat, end_lon, end_lat):
> url = f"https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/{start_lon},{start_lat};{end_lon},{end_lat}"
> return requests.get(url).json()['routes'][0]['distance'] / 1000
> 
> # Returns distance in kilometers
> print(shortest_km(-122.4194, 37.7749, -118.2437, 34.0522))
> 
> ```
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Bash One-Liner
> 
> ```bash
> curl "https://router.project-osrm.org/route/v1/driving/LON1,LAT1;LON2,LAT2" | jq '.routes[0].distance'
> 
> ```
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Available APIs
> 
> | API | Free Tier | Notes |
> | --- | --- | --- |
> | [OSRM](https://router.project-osrm.org) | Unlimited | Demo server, pure shortest path |
> | [GraphHopper](https://graphhopper.com/api) | 500 req/day | Custom models supported |
> | [OpenRouteService](https://openrouteservice.org) | 2000 req/day | Academic project |
> 
> * * *

> **🎯 The 1Hacker's Daily Workflow**
>
> Practical setup that takes 5 minutes and saves you kilometers forever.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### For Regular Commutes
> 
> 1. **Install:** Organic Maps (primary) + HERE WeGo (backup)
> 2. **Before first trip:** Compare routes from both + Google Maps
> 3. **Note the actual KM** of each option — not the time
> 4. **Use the app** that shows shorter distance
> 
> You’ll likely find Organic Maps or HERE WeGo saves 10-20% distance on most urban routes.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### For Important Trips
> 
> 1. **Plan on desktop:** [GraphHopper Maps](https://graphhopper.com/maps) or [OpenRouteService](https://maps.openrouteservice.org)
> 2. **Set custom model** to prioritize distance
> 3. **Export GPX** to your phone
> 4. **Navigate** with Organic Maps or OsmAnd
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Quick Daily Check
> 
> 1. Open HERE WeGo
> 2. Enter destination
> 3. Tap “Route preferences” → Select “Shortest”
> 4. Compare with Google Maps default
> 
> The difference is often 5-15%. Over a year of commuting, that’s real money.
> 
> * * *

> **📚 All Links in One Place**
>
> **Web Planners (Free)**
> 
> - [GraphHopper Maps](https://graphhopper.com/maps) — Custom routing models
> - [OpenRouteService](https://maps.openrouteservice.org) — Explicit shortest option
> - [BRouter-Web](https://brouter.de/brouter-web) — Cycling & custom profiles
> - [OSRM Demo](http://router.project-osrm.org) — Pure shortest path algorithm
> - [cycle.travel](https://cycle.travel) — Traffic-free cycling routes
> - [TomTom MyDrive](https://plan.tomtom.com) — Professional route planning
> 
> **Mobile Apps**
> 
> - [Organic Maps](https://organicmaps.app) — Privacy-focused, offline-first
> - [HERE WeGo](https://www.here.com/products/wego) — Shortest distance toggle
> - [OsmAnd](https://osmand.net) — Power user features
> - [Magic Earth](https://magicearth.com) — Shortest route option
> - [Kurviger](https://kurviger.com) — Motorcycle/scenic routes
> 
> **APIs**
> 
> - OSRM: `router.project-osrm.org` (free, unlimited)
> - GraphHopper: `graphhopper.com/api` (free tier)
> - OpenRouteService: `openrouteservice.org` (free tier)
> 
> * * *

* * *

## 🧠 The Point

Google Maps and Waze optimize for _their_ goals. You pay the difference in extra kilometers, extra fuel, extra time sitting in your car.

**The fix is free.** HERE WeGo has a “shortest distance” button. Organic Maps finds paths Google hides. GraphHopper lets you tell the algorithm exactly what you want.

Stop playing their game.

* * *

_Bookmark this. Next time Google adds a 20km “shortcut” through three highways, you’ll know exactly what to do._

_The distance between “fastest” and “shortest” is however much extra Google wanted you to drive today._

---

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**Author:** ![10ball](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/10ball/32/147558_2.png) [@10ball](https://onehack.st/u/10ball)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/navigation-apps-with-a-shortest-distance-button-google-refuses-to-add/316760/2 "2026-01-16T15:13:17Z")

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I love this website. I learned so much from here!!!