diff --git a/googlemaps/convert.py b/googlemaps/convert.py
index 2b3d056e..d9d5f4bc 100644
--- a/googlemaps/convert.py
+++ b/googlemaps/convert.py
@@ -142,6 +142,20 @@ def join_list(sep, arg):
     """
     return sep.join(as_list(arg))
 
+def to_list(arg, sep="|"):
+    """Coerces arg into a list depends on supplied separator.
+    If arg is already list-like return arg.
+
+    :type sep: string
+    """
+    if _is_list(arg):
+        return arg
+
+    if isinstance(arg, str):
+        elements = arg.split(sep)
+        return [element for element in elements if element]
+
+    return as_list(arg)
 
 def as_list(arg):
     """Coerces arg into a list. If arg is already list-like, returns arg.
diff --git a/googlemaps/distance_matrix.py b/googlemaps/distance_matrix.py
index a30cbe09..c15efd93 100755
--- a/googlemaps/distance_matrix.py
+++ b/googlemaps/distance_matrix.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ def distance_matrix(client, origins, destinations,
 
     :param avoid: Indicates that the calculated route(s) should avoid the
         indicated features. Valid values are "tolls", "highways" or "ferries".
+        You can pass muliple values by separating them using "|".
+        Example: "tolls|highways"
     :type avoid: string
 
     :param units: Specifies the unit system to use when displaying results.
@@ -107,7 +109,9 @@ def distance_matrix(client, origins, destinations,
         params["language"] = language
 
     if avoid:
-        if avoid not in ["tolls", "highways", "ferries"]:
+        valid_avoid_values = {"tolls", "highways", "ferries"}
+        supplied_avoid_values = set(convert.to_list(avoid))
+        if supplied_avoid_values - valid_avoid_values:
             raise ValueError("Invalid route restriction.")
         params["avoid"] = avoid
 
diff --git a/tests/test_convert.py b/tests/test_convert.py
index 39546aee..fba994ad 100644
--- a/tests/test_convert.py
+++ b/tests/test_convert.py
@@ -165,6 +165,17 @@ def test_polyline_round_trip(self):
         actual_polyline = convert.encode_polyline(points)
         self.assertEqual(test_polyline, actual_polyline)
 
+    def test_to_list(self):
+        test_to_list = "tolls|highways"
+
+        elements = convert.to_list(test_to_list)
+
+        self.assertEqual(["tolls", "highways"], elements)
+        test_to_list = "tolls|highways|"
+
+        elements = convert.to_list(test_to_list)
+        self.assertEqual(["tolls", "highways"], elements)
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "value, expected",