Can I paste a Google Maps link directly into Ride with GPS?

No. Ride with GPS imports GPX (and similar) files rather than reading a Google Maps link. Convert the route with Maps to GPX first, then upload the GPX under My Routes.

Should I choose Route or Track for Ride with GPS?

Choose Route with TBT enabled if you want available turn cues carried into Ride with GPS. Choose Track if you only need the line and elevation profile and want a smaller file.

Why did the imported route move away from my Google Maps line?

If Ride with GPS snapped the file to its own road data, a section can shift to a nearby street where the two services disagree on a cycling-friendly road. Check the map and edit the route in the planner if needed.

Can I edit the route after importing it?

Yes. Ride with GPS's route planner lets you drag points and add control points to correct the line after import, the same way you would edit a route built from scratch.

How do I get the route onto my Garmin or Wahoo?

Connect your Garmin account under Ride with GPS's account settings to sync routes directly. For Wahoo or other devices, export the route from Ride with GPS as a GPX and import it through the device app.

Maps to GPX

Google Maps to Ride with GPS via GPX Import

Ride with GPS imports a route from a GPX file rather than a Google Maps link. Convert the route with Maps to GPX first, then bring the file into Ride with GPS on the web or in the app.

From there, Ride with GPS can sync the route to a Garmin, or export it again for Wahoo and other devices.

Convert a Google Maps route to GPX

How to import the GPX into Ride with GPS

Download the GPX from Maps to GPX. Route output keeps any available turn cues; Track output keeps only the line.
On ridewithgps.com, open My Routes, then choose Upload a file (or Routes > Import in the app) and select the GPX.
Ride with GPS builds the route from the file and can optionally snap it to its own road and path data.
Check the elevation profile and line for any point that moved away from the intended street, and edit the route in the built-in route planner if needed.
Save the route, then send it to a device or share the route link with riding partners.

On the Ride with GPS mobile app: open the GPX from Files (iPhone) or Downloads (Android) and share it to the app, or use the in-app Import a File option under Routes.

Why a GPX file, not a link

Ride with GPS builds routes from its own route planner or from an uploaded file, and it has no way to read a Google Maps directions URL directly. Maps to GPX closes that gap by turning a google.com/maps/dir/ URL or a maps.app.goo.gl short link into a GPX file Ride with GPS can open.

The converter recomputes the route with the Google Routes API in cycling mode where cycling data exists for the area, falling back to driving directions where it does not.

Route vs Track output for Ride with GPS

Route output with TBT enabled keeps available turn cues in the GPX file, which Ride with GPS can show as cues on the route. Track output keeps only the line and elevation profile, which is enough if you only want the shape of the ride.

Check the point count and cue count on the Maps to GPX result screen before choosing, especially for a long route where file size matters.

How closely the imported route follows Google Maps

Ride with GPS can import the GPX as a plain path or snap it to its road network, depending on the import option chosen. A snapped import can shift onto a nearby parallel street where Ride with GPS and Google Maps disagree about a cycling-friendly road.

Review the imported route on the map, particularly through intersections and any short unpaved or shared-path section, before saving it as final.

Editing the route after import

Ride with GPS's route planner lets you drag points, add a control point to force the line through a specific street, and recompute the affected section. This is the same editor used for routes built from scratch on the site.

For a large mismatch, it is often quicker to fix the route in Google Maps first, regenerate the GPX in Maps to GPX, and re-import than to manually correct a long detour.

Sending the route to Garmin or Wahoo

Ride with GPS can sync directly with a connected Garmin account, pushing the saved route to compatible Edge devices without another file transfer. Enable this once under account connections.

For Wahoo or other devices, export the finished route from Ride with GPS as a GPX again and import it through the device's usual app.

Checking the route before a long ride

Compare the total distance and elevation gain shown in Ride with GPS with what you expected from Google Maps. A meaningful difference usually means part of the route snapped to a different road, so scroll through the map once more before the ride.

FAQ

Can I paste a Google Maps link directly into Ride with GPS?: No. Ride with GPS imports GPX (and similar) files rather than reading a Google Maps link. Convert the route with Maps to GPX first, then upload the GPX under My Routes.
Should I choose Route or Track for Ride with GPS?: Choose Route with TBT enabled if you want available turn cues carried into Ride with GPS. Choose Track if you only need the line and elevation profile and want a smaller file.
Why did the imported route move away from my Google Maps line?: If Ride with GPS snapped the file to its own road data, a section can shift to a nearby street where the two services disagree on a cycling-friendly road. Check the map and edit the route in the planner if needed.
Can I edit the route after importing it?: Yes. Ride with GPS's route planner lets you drag points and add control points to correct the line after import, the same way you would edit a route built from scratch.
How do I get the route onto my Garmin or Wahoo?: Connect your Garmin account under Ride with GPS's account settings to sync routes directly. For Wahoo or other devices, export the route from Ride with GPS as a GPX and import it through the device app.

Convert to GPX for Ride with GPS