Is It Possible to Create A Route in Google Maps from a GPX?
 

Hello All,

I have searched google and the forums on this site without finding an answer. I apologized if I missed it.

I would like to take a ride from the history of a Garmin Edge 705 and create a route in google maps with it. Here are the first steps I have taken: I connect the 705 to my PC. I open BaseCamp. I find the track on the 705. I right-click on the track. I select "Create Route from Selected Track". A route is created. I click on the route. I select File → Export → Export Selection... I save the file as a GPX. I go to google maps. I create a new map. I import the GPX file. That method results in hundreds of waypoints in google maps; not a route.

Second, I tried this: After saving the GPX file, I open google earth. I go to Tools → GPS → Import from File → Import. I import the GPX file. In the left pane, I expand "gpx GPS device". I right-click on "routes" ("points" and "path" are selected). I select "Save place as..." I save to a KML file. I open google maps. I create a new map. I import the KML file. That method also results in hundreds of waypoints in google maps; not a route.

Third, I tried this: After importing the GPX file to google earth, in the left pane, I expand "gpx GPS device". I select only "path". I right-click on "path". I select "Save place as..." I save to a KML file. I open google maps. I create a new map. I import the KML file. That method is the closest to what I am trying to accomplish, but it creates a path; not a route.

I am probably over thinking this. I know someone is going to respond with, "All you have to do is..." I apologize if this post is just a result of my ignorance; but I really don't know what else to do. Any suggestions you may have will be much appreciated.

I have a Garmin Edge 305. Maybe the 705 is similar. I download routes from my Edge to my PC using SportTracks (a free logging/mapping program that is compatible with Garmin products). SportTracks has an option to export a bike ride to Google Earth or save the route to a KML file. Google Maps can import the KML file into a "My Maps" route.

bikeroutetoaster can import pretty much any GPX, or you can use google's maps API to do it yourself; they have lots of sample code.

If you just want to see the route in Google Maps, *and* you have a publicly-accessible web site where you can store the GPX file, simply enter the GPX file's URL path in the Google Maps search box. For example:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.948257&z=11

If you don't have write access to a publicly-available web server, you might be able to use something like Google Docs, but I haven't tried that yet.

Thank you all for your replies. I used SportTracks. It worked and is much better than BaseCamp. I will try bikeroutetoaster on another occasion. I do have a publicly-accessible web site. I will try storing the GPX file on there on another occasion. Thank you all. This is a BIG help.

SportsTracks is only for Windows PCs. For Macs, you can use LoadMyTracks or HoudahGPS to translate between GPX and KML formats. Both are freeware for OS X.

I can confirm that if you have a GPX file whose URL you can paste into a Google Maps search input field, it will display the route.

I'm not sure what you want accomplish. What's the difference between a path and a route? Do you want a cue sheet?

I use ridewithgps.com, for instance, this example gps recorded ride. It doesn't make a cue sheet, but creating a route by drawing a cue sheet. For example.

I can't answer for the OP, but I like creating Google routes because they are easy to view via the Google Maps app on my cell phone. I can save a route that I did in the past or draw a new route on my PC. If I get lost, just load the Google Maps app and it will show me where I am, where I want to be, and possible bike routes between the 2.

I've since been able to accomplish my goal of seeing a ride in google maps; so I don't exactly remember the difference. I believe that I could not edit a path in google maps. I've since figured out that the original problem was with how BaseCamp exported the GPX. SportTracks does a much better job. Thank you for the link to ridewithgps. I'll give that a shot too.