Put a Google My Maps route on your Garmin

Google My Maps is great for planning, but GPS devices want GPX. Converting takes seconds.

Why convert to GPX

Google My Maps and Google Earth save KML or KMZ. Garmin, Wahoo, COROS, OS Maps, Komoot and most GPS apps import GPX.

Lines become tracks you can follow, and pins become waypoints with their names.

When you might need this

• Walking and hikingA route planned at home, followed on the hills.
• Cycling and runningA course loaded onto a bike computer or watch.
• TripsA list of places as waypoints for a road trip.

Key benefits

• See it firstA drawing of the route and its length, before you save.
• Names keptPins keep their names and descriptions as waypoints.
• PrivateRoutes that start at your home stay on your device.

How to do it

1. In Google My Maps, open the menu (three dots) and choose Export to KML/KMZ.
2. Open the file in KML and KMZ to GPX.
3. Check the drawing of the route and press Convert.
4. Import the GPX into Garmin Connect as a course, or copy it to the device's Garmin/NewFiles folder over USB.

Tips

• Export one layer at a time if your map has several routes.
• For Strava, use Strava's route import with the GPX file.
• Need it the other way? GPX to KML opens GPS tracks in Google Earth.

Questions

Tools for this job

• KML to GPX
• GPX to KML
• KMZ to KML
• CSV to KML

More guides

• GPS, maps and fitnessShare a Garmin activity as a GPX fileTurn a FIT activity from a Garmin, Wahoo or COROS device into a GPX track with heights and times, for route planners, maps and apps that only take GPX.