Trouble Converting Google maps to GPX

[Steveyacht]

I've been trying to convert some google maps to GPX files for my upcoming trip to the Americade.  This is the first time I've had troubles doing this, once I figured out the system a few months ago.  I tried several times today, with laptop and on my Android phone, with no success.  I did read the notification saying there were problems in April.  

Anyone having any problems with converting files?

[Dave_in_TX]

21 minutes ago, Steveyacht said:

I've been trying to convert some google maps to GPX files for my upcoming trip to the Americade.  This is the first time I've had troubles doing this, once I figured out the system a few months ago.  I tried several times today, with laptop and on my Android phone, with no success.  I did read the notification saying there were problems in April.  

Anyone having any problems with converting files?

what app or web site are you using?

[Steveyacht]

1 minute ago, Dave_in_TX said:

what app or web site are you using?

https://mapstogpx.com/

[Steveyacht]

Update:  Late Sunday, I tried again and everything worked fine.  

[craydds]

1 hour ago, Steveyacht said:

Update:  Late Sunday, I tried again and everything worked fine.  

Are you loading  GPX files to a Nav VI?  Just saving them on your phone?  What bike, year, etc.?  The reason I ask is because I learned how to build maps (routes) in Garmin Basecamp then transfer the GPX files to my Nav 6.  I can create a detailed route including all the Waypoints (gas stops, etc.) along my route. Yet,  the Nav 6 will modify the route, making up its own "mind" for the route.  Aggravation!  Now, I go straight to my Nav 6 (2019 R1250RT) and create my route in Trip Planner.  Works well for me. 

[Steveyacht]

I'm using my phone, a Google Pixel 6 to plan the route on Google maps, then pasting the URL code onto the GPX converter. After which I load onto the BMW app for later use on my 2023 R1250RT. 

[strataj]

2 hours ago, craydds said:

Are you loading  GPX files to a Nav VI?  Just saving them on your phone?  What bike, year, etc.?  The reason I ask is because I learned how to build maps (routes) in Garmin Basecamp then transfer the GPX files to my Nav 6.  I can create a detailed route including all the Waypoints (gas stops, etc.) along my route. Yet,  the Nav 6 will modify the route, making up its own "mind" for the route.  Aggravation!  Now, I go straight to my Nav 6 (2019 R1250RT) and create my route in Trip Planner.  Works well for me. 

Ray, before you transfer a route out of Basecamp to the NAV 6 make sure everything is the same, select car or motorcycle,  map version, no gravel road, no toll road or what every you like. Recalculate the route in Basecamp and check to be sure it's the way you want before transferring.  If all the setting are the same when the NAV6 recalculates it should match your route in Basecamp. 

[craydds]

1 minute ago, strataj said:

Ray, before you transfer a route out of Basecamp to the NAV 6 make sure everything is the same, select car or motorcycle,  map version, no gravel road, no toll road or what every you like. Recalculate the route in Basecamp and check to be sure it's the way you want before transferring.  If all the setting are the same when the NAV6 recalculates it should match your route in Basecamp. 

Will do.  I know it can be "finicky" if not exactly right.  I've had good results, and sometimes not-so-good.  Thanks for the tip!

[dirtrider]

44 minutes ago, craydds said:

  I know it can be "finicky" if not exactly right.  I've had good results, and sometimes not-so-good. 

Afternoon Ray

 

Sometimes those bad results are due to device or routing settings.  If the GPS THINKS a road is a gravel road, or a road section shows as having gravel, & you have avoid gravel roads turned on it will change the route.  Even if the road is paved all the way through it might not show up that way on the map that is in the GPS.

 

Same way with other avoidances,  even if they aren't physically there the GPS might think some are due to mapping errors or mapping issues. 

 

Personally, I keep avoidances turned off as over the years they have hurt me more than helped me.

 

If you really want to vet a route, import it into your GPS, allow the GPS to recalculate it. THEN export it back into BaseCamp. Then change the route color, then view it in BaseCamp transposed over the original. If they match then your GPS most likely won't change it or mis-read it while riding. If it doesn't match exactly then you need to address that as a probable routing issue. 

 

Another thing I have found is that if you make the route originally in Base Camp then the way points & via points are typically placed in the correct location with enough points spread out to properly guide the route. In a lot of cases when you convert a route from another source you end up with less than useful via points, or even worse too many via-points & way-points.  The GPS  can't always handle excess via points so it truncates the points, in some cases removing critical or key guidance points.  

 

 

 

[craydds]

14 minutes ago, dirtrider said:

 

 

If you really want to vet a route, import it into your GPS, allow the GPS to recalculate it. THEN export it back into BaseCamp. Then change the route color, then view it in BaseCamp transposed over the original. If they match then your GPS most likely won't change it or mis-read it while riding. If it doesn't match exactly then you need to address that as a probable routing issue. 

 

 

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, dirtrider said:

 

Excellent pointers!