How to build a Google Maps Directions URL with dynamic waypoints from Google Sheets / Text Aggregator?

Questions
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:bullseye: What is your goal?

I’m building a daily delivery route briefing scenario.

The scenario searches paid delivery orders in Google Sheets, creates a daily route summary, builds a Google Maps Directions link, and sends an internal email / WhatsApp message with:

  • the Google Maps route link
  • departure address
  • delivery stops
  • final destination
  • estimated delivery windows

Scenario structure:

Google Sheets — Search Rows
→ Tools — Set multiple variables
→ Tools — Text Aggregator for route stops / waypoints
→ Tools — Set multiple variables
→ Email / WhatsApp internal message

Route logic:

Origin:
Frazione Campanella 7, Castello di Annone

Final destination:
Enoteca Assetati, Via Cavour 83/A, Asti

Waypoints:
Dynamic delivery addresses from Google Sheets rows, aggregated with a Text Aggregator.

Example waypoint:
via test 9, Calamandrana

I need to generate a valid Google Maps Directions URL that works when clicked from Outlook/email or WhatsApp.

:thinking: What is the problem & what have you tried?

The internal email body is now working and the route briefing text is readable.

The problem is the Google Maps route link.

The current link structure is:

Google Maps Campanella 7, Castello di Annone&destination=Enoteca Assetati, Via Cavour 83/A, Asti&waypoints=via test 9, Calamandrana&travelmode=driving

When I click the link from Outlook/email, Google Maps does not correctly understand the origin / waypoints. It seems to break the address because of spaces, commas or special characters.

I think I need to encode the URL parts correctly, but I’m not sure what the best Make formula is.

I tried building the link inside Tools — Set multiple variables and using the Text Aggregator output as waypoints.

What I need to understand:

  1. Should I apply encodeURL() to each address separately?
  2. Should I encode the full URL or only origin, destination and waypoints?
  3. What separator should I use in the Text Aggregator for multiple waypoints?
  4. For Google Maps multiple waypoints, should the separator be “|” or encoded as “%7C”?
  5. What exact Make formula should I use to generate the final google_maps_route_link variable?

:clipboard: Error messages or input/output bundles

There is no Make error message. The scenario runs successfully, but the Google Maps link opens incorrectly.

Current output example:

Google Maps Campanella 7, Castello di Annone&destination=Enoteca Assetati, Via Cavour 83/A, Asti&waypoints=via test 9, Calamandrana&travelmode=driving

Expected encoded result should be similar to:

Current dynamic fields:

Origin fixed text:
Frazione Campanella 7, Castello di Annone

Destination fixed text:
Enoteca Assetati, Via Cavour 83/A, Asti

Waypoint source:
Text Aggregator output from Google Sheets rows

Example Text Aggregator output:
via test 9, Calamandrana

Question:
What is the correct Make formula to create the google_maps_route_link variable?

:link: Create public scenario page

I can provide a public scenario page if needed, but I would prefer to understand the correct URL encoding formula first.

:camera_with_flash: Screenshots (scenario flow, module settings, errors)

Screenshot (2899).png
Screenshot (2899).png1680×1050 190 KB

3

Hello,

For encoding the URL parameters, refer to the Google documentation – there are a few tricks there.
For waypoints specifically, the cleanest approach is to use Textbook Aggregator with %7C as the item separator.

One important thing to keep in mind: this method is not optimizing the route.

It builds the route in the exact order you pass the waypoints.

If you’re not already ordering them efficiently beforehand, the result can be far from the shortest route – so on its own, this method might be a waste of time for your case.

If that’s the case, use the Routes API instead:

With a POST request you get the waypoints back in the most efficient order, and from that you can build your route link.

Have a nice day,
Michal

4

Thank you very much!!