Building a GPX route from Google MyMaps
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Before we start, here are some interesting links to GPS exchange files:
- https://docs.kurviger.de/route_transfer
- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPX_(format_de_fichier)
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A] First, prepare the route waypoints using Google MyMaps
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Why start in Google My Maps... because you take advantage from all the powerful Google search capability, to find places, camping's, hotel, eyesight's, parks... along your journey.
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1- Create a new map in your Google MyMaps.
2- Add the approximate route.
3- Search and add key points of interest to stop or pass by (waypoints).
4- Review the waypoints:
- prefix with "(DISCARD)" the waypoint names to not consider (yet) in the final route
- prefix with a 4 digit number, "DNNN-", to order the retained waypoints names
. use D to specify the day, for a multi-day journey
. numbered NNN by step of 10, in case you later add intermediate points
5- Add more, remove, adjust... until satisfaction
6- Finally export the waypoints only to a KML file - let say MyWaypoints.kml
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B] Second, generate a GPS eXchange (GPX) file
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The GPX file is an XML file that contains 3 main types of information: waypoints, tracks, and routes.
Tracks are made of track segments, themselves composed of successive connected track points.
A track is usually made of numerous dense points and is used to record positions.
Routes are made of successive connected route points - typically distant points.
The route is typically generated or loaded and used by GPS and GPS software which then calculates best itinerary between the route points.
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1- If not done, install GPSBabel and add the path in your system environment variable.
GPSBabel is the Swiss knife software for GPS file manipulations and conversions.
Then in a directory, create a batch file named ConvertKML2GPX.bat.
Edit the file and copy/paste the following:
set babelin=%1
set babelrteout=".\Route.gpx"
set babelwptout=".\tmpsort.gpx"
GPSBabel.exe -w -i kml -f %babelin% -x simplify,count=0 -x transform,rte=trk,del -x transform,trk=rte,del -x sort,shortname -x discard,matchname=(DISCARD)* -o gpx -F %babelwptout%
GPSBabel.exe -w -i gpx -f %babelwptout% -x transform,rte=wpt -o gpx -F %babelrteout%
del %babelwptout%
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2- Drag and drop your MyWaypoints.kml onto the ConvertKML2GPX.bat
You now have a new Route.gpx in the directory!
The GPX file contains the waypoints and a route solely made of them.
3- Drag and drop your MyWaypoints.kml onto the ConvertKML2GPX.bat
You now have a new Route.gpx in the directory!
The GPX file contains the waypoints and a route solely made of them.
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C] Edit / load / use the GPX file
The GPX file can now be used with most GPS devices and software.
However you may want to re-edit review the route, and add few additional "via" waypoints to constraint the route calculation.
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For example, load and edit the GPX in the online editor Kurviger :
Once the edition is completed, you can then export the new route to a GPX file.
You can finally load the GPX directly to your GPS device or via its software interface.
Note that your GPS may calculate, between waypoints, a different route than Kurviger or Google, based on its own settings (fast itinerary,...) and traffic information.
