Convert Google Maps driving directions to GPS tracks

vu2pmc · 21st September 2011, 11:14

Hi,

I read quite a few posts which said google maps driving directions cant be converted to gps tracks/ gpx file format.

This is factually incorrect and there is indeed a way.

GMapToGPX » Communications From Elsewhere

This is the webpage of a java script, and the method is self explanatory.

I have used this a few times and works almost always. ( at times, when google maps changes its coding structure, the script might not work.. in which case, visit the page and refresh your script)

This indeed is a brillaint tool.

Another tool that can be used it a program called TYRE.

Tyre

the link above will take you to the website.

While the first tool even accept modified google route, the second one might not let you modify the route by dragging on google map.

Cheers.
vu2pmc

tsk1979 · 21st September 2011, 13:29

All you have to do is simply click on the "link" button after creating the route, and add &output=kml

For example Mumbai to BLR gives me this link
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India to Bengaluru, Karnataka, India - Google Maps
All I have to do is change it to
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Mu...z=7&output=kml

KML files can be easily converted to gpx and then imported into many GPS software.

alto99 · 21st September 2011, 13:32

I have been using this GMAPToGPX and it works very well. Just remember to use the option "Full" to get all the points though.

mayuresh · 24th September 2011, 20:18

Alternatively one can use mapmyride.com.

One can create / share / save routes there (just like Google) and also export them directly to gpx file.

I have used it for a few years till now and am satisfied with it.

I particularly like the ability to create routes manually for remote regions where map data is not available by referring to satellite view. (I am not sure whether one can do that with Google maps. Haven't tried.)

alto99 · 25th September 2011, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayuresh

Alternatively one can use mapmyride.com.

One can create / share / save routes there (just like Google) and also export them directly to gpx file.

I have used it for a few years till now and am satisfied with it.

I particularly like the ability to create routes manually for remote regions where map data is not available by referring to satellite view. (I am not sure whether one can do that with Google maps. Haven't tried.)

You can do it using Google map maker google.com/mapmaker.
Added/edited roads, if approved, are published almost instantaneously but the routing algo takes a bit of time to consider newly added roads.

mayuresh · 25th September 2011, 11:39

That seems like a workflow to make legitimate addition to maps.

Instead, one might want to just draw a track. There need not be a proper road there and I need not submit it to anybody's approval though still be able to draw/save/share it etc. Perhaps you can do that with Google. However, UI wise, for drawing custom-route, mapmyride seems far easier to me.

When map data exists, Google UI is a bit easier in choosing from alternative routes etc. But again saving gpx is easier in mapmyride.

21st September 2011, 11:14	#1
vu2pmc BHPian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Kozhikode Posts: 94 Thanked: 32 Times	Convert Google Maps driving directions to GPS tracks Hi, I read quite a few posts which said google maps driving directions cant be converted to gps tracks/ gpx file format. This is factually incorrect and there is indeed a way. GMapToGPX » Communications From Elsewhere This is the webpage of a java script, and the method is self explanatory. I have used this a few times and works almost always. ( at times, when google maps changes its coding structure, the script might not work.. in which case, visit the page and refresh your script) This indeed is a brillaint tool. Another tool that can be used it a program called TYRE. Tyre the link above will take you to the website. While the first tool even accept modified google route, the second one might not let you modify the route by dragging on google map. Cheers. vu2pmc
	() Thanks

21st September 2011, 13:29	#2
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Re: The GPS/Maps Discussion Thread (Dedicated Satnav, Smartphones, Tablets, etc) All you have to do is simply click on the "link" button after creating the route, and add &output=kml For example Mumbai to BLR gives me this link Mumbai, Maharashtra, India to Bengaluru, Karnataka, India - Google Maps All I have to do is change it to http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Mu...z=7&output=kml KML files can be easily converted to gpx and then imported into many GPS software. Last edited by tsk1979 : 21st September 2011 at 13:34.
	() Thanks

21st September 2011, 13:32	#3
alto99 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 348 Thanked: 71 Times	Re: Covert Google Maps driving directions to GPS tracks I have been using this GMAPToGPX and it works very well. Just remember to use the option "Full" to get all the points though.
	() Thanks

24th September 2011, 20:18	#4
mayuresh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 443 Thanked: 374 Times	Re: Convert Google Maps driving directions to GPS tracks Alternatively one can use mapmyride.com. One can create / share / save routes there (just like Google) and also export them directly to gpx file. I have used it for a few years till now and am satisfied with it. I particularly like the ability to create routes manually for remote regions where map data is not available by referring to satellite view. (I am not sure whether one can do that with Google maps. Haven't tried.)
	() Thanks

25th September 2011, 11:39	#6
mayuresh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Pune Posts: 443 Thanked: 374 Times	Re: Convert Google Maps driving directions to GPS tracks That seems like a workflow to make legitimate addition to maps. Instead, one might want to just draw a track. There need not be a proper road there and I need not submit it to anybody's approval though still be able to draw/save/share it etc. Perhaps you can do that with Google. However, UI wise, for drawing custom-route, mapmyride seems far easier to me. When map data exists, Google UI is a bit easier in choosing from alternative routes etc. But again saving gpx is easier in mapmyride.
	() Thanks