How to Convert a Google Maps Route to GPX

Google Maps is great for planning a route, but it doesn't export a GPX file: the standard format most GPS devices and hiking or cycling apps expect. Here's how to get a real GPX file out of your Google Maps route.

Why export a route to GPX

Google Maps is great for planning, but it isn't built for offline navigation on a dedicated device, and it doesn't speak the language GPS hardware understands. Cyclists, motorcyclists, hikers, and road-trippers often want their planned route on a GPS watch, a bike computer, or an outdoor navigation app instead of a phone. Every one of those reads GPX, not a Google Maps link.

Step 1: copy your route's link

In Google Maps, plan your route (start, destination, any stops), then copy the link from the address bar or the "Share" button. A shortened maps.app.goo.gl link works too: SmartGPX resolves it automatically before parsing.

Step 2: paste the link into SmartGPX

On the SmartGPX homepage, paste that link into the conversion field and run the conversion. Multi-stop routes are fully supported: every stop is kept, not just the start and end. SmartGPX computes the actual route (with the detected travel mode) and builds a complete GPX file: a track with the route's precise geometry, plus a waypoint for each stop.

Step 3: download and import

Download the resulting GPX file and import it into your GPS device or app. GPX is recognized almost everywhere. SmartGPX doesn't navigate for you; your device or app takes over once the file is imported.

Once you have your GPX file, see how to use a Google Maps route with Garmin, Wahoo or OsmAnd.

On a motorcycle the steps differ by device: there are dedicated guides for the Garmin zūmo XT and XT2, BMW Motorrad Connected and the TomTom Rider. On the app side, Komoot imports the GPX as a Tour, while Strava is worth reading first: uploading a file there creates an activity, not a planned route.

Google Maps → GPX is SmartGPX's only paid tool (1 credit per conversion, never charged on a failed conversion). The route calculation relies on a third-party API, unlike the other tools, which are entirely free and run in your browser.