Multi-Day Ride Overview - KML File Solution
Quote from Bob on 21.03.2026, 17:37Free tool: Convert your Google Maps routes to KML — great for building a trip overview map
I've been using Scenic for a couple years now. I use it on all my rides. But every one starts on Google Maps, and goes through the Scenic Google import process. This alone is sufficient for a day ride, but not a long multiweek trip.
For those, I need both a visual to cut and paste into the ride PDF. So I use Google My Maps. As a bonus, I can share a link to the map so everyone can scroll and zoom into whatever interests them. This was a very painful process with GPX files (using My Maps to export KML and then reimport), and I don't think Scenic natively supports KML.
I don't know how to code in today's modern world. And you can't do this in COBOL. So I had some help from Claude (Anthropic's AI) to build this. Here is an example of what the finished product looks like:
http://tiny.cc/SPYC-GreatLakes
I have added some manual customization in My Maps, but this tool gets the route loaded where it shows almost the exact routing. It does suffer from using OSM routing in the export — the same as Scenic. I don't bother to fix that, it's close enough for this purpose.
The tool is here: http://tiny.cc/MapsToKML
Download the HTML file and open it in your browser — no install, no account, no server. It runs entirely on your machine. Note: OneDrive will show a preview of the page when you click the link — you need to hit Download to get the actual file, then open it from your local drive.
Here is how to use it:
- Build your route in Google Maps as normal — stops, waypoints, whatever you need
- Copy the full URL from your browser's address bar (the long one — not a shortened link)
- Open the tool in your browser
- Paste the URL and press Enter or click Fetch Route
- The tool draws the route on the map and shows distance and time
- Click Download KML and import into Google My Maps
Note for the overview map workflow:
The same Google Maps URL that feeds Scenic's web importer feeds this tool too. So if you're already importing into Scenic that way, this tool simply gives you the KML side of that same workflow for building the overview map.
Chrome users:
If you run into issues uploading the KML to Google My Maps, try Edge or Firefox instead.
Happy to hear from anyone who tries it — especially if you run into a Google Maps URL format it can't handle.
And Quido — if you're reading this, maybe some of this functionality could find its way into the Scenic web importer or natively into the app someday. The approach is straightforward and well documented.
Ride safe.
Free tool: Convert your Google Maps routes to KML — great for building a trip overview map
I've been using Scenic for a couple years now. I use it on all my rides. But every one starts on Google Maps, and goes through the Scenic Google import process. This alone is sufficient for a day ride, but not a long multiweek trip.
For those, I need both a visual to cut and paste into the ride PDF. So I use Google My Maps. As a bonus, I can share a link to the map so everyone can scroll and zoom into whatever interests them. This was a very painful process with GPX files (using My Maps to export KML and then reimport), and I don't think Scenic natively supports KML.
I don't know how to code in today's modern world. And you can't do this in COBOL. So I had some help from Claude (Anthropic's AI) to build this. Here is an example of what the finished product looks like:
http://tiny.cc/SPYC-GreatLakes
I have added some manual customization in My Maps, but this tool gets the route loaded where it shows almost the exact routing. It does suffer from using OSM routing in the export — the same as Scenic. I don't bother to fix that, it's close enough for this purpose.
The tool is here: http://tiny.cc/MapsToKML
Download the HTML file and open it in your browser — no install, no account, no server. It runs entirely on your machine. Note: OneDrive will show a preview of the page when you click the link — you need to hit Download to get the actual file, then open it from your local drive.
Here is how to use it:
- Build your route in Google Maps as normal — stops, waypoints, whatever you need
- Copy the full URL from your browser's address bar (the long one — not a shortened link)
- Open the tool in your browser
- Paste the URL and press Enter or click Fetch Route
- The tool draws the route on the map and shows distance and time
- Click Download KML and import into Google My Maps
Note for the overview map workflow:
The same Google Maps URL that feeds Scenic's web importer feeds this tool too. So if you're already importing into Scenic that way, this tool simply gives you the KML side of that same workflow for building the overview map.
Chrome users:
If you run into issues uploading the KML to Google My Maps, try Edge or Firefox instead.
Happy to hear from anyone who tries it — especially if you run into a Google Maps URL format it can't handle.
And Quido — if you're reading this, maybe some of this functionality could find its way into the Scenic web importer or natively into the app someday. The approach is straightforward and well documented.
Ride safe.
Quote from Guido on 22.03.2026, 09:36That's a nice tool you've built. The combined map looks very nice! Thanks for sharing this hear.
I have something like this in mind directly in Scenic, but I just don't have time for that at this moment.
One small thing... Scenic support KML import (through the WebApp), and you can also import Google My Maps links into Scenic (if you make the My Maps route public).
That's a nice tool you've built. The combined map looks very nice! Thanks for sharing this hear.
I have something like this in mind directly in Scenic, but I just don't have time for that at this moment.
One small thing... Scenic support KML import (through the WebApp), and you can also import Google My Maps links into Scenic (if you make the My Maps route public).
Quote from Bob on 22.03.2026, 15:25Glad you like it. All credit goes to Claude for the tech part. It was a project commissioned to see what it could do, and I have to admit, I was pretty amazed.
I build days/legs in Google maps since it has reviews for lunch stops, hotels and points of interest right in front. But even more so, to have a look at Street View. It's the only way I've found to stay off unpaved roads, yet travel as many back roads as possible. I then use the usual import to Scenic, and touch them up to match the Google routing, or occasion, accept the Scenic alternative.
Is there an API where I could extract an entire directory of rides in GPX or KML directly from Scenic? It already does that, but one at a time, at least as far as I know.
If there was something like that truly native, Google My Maps would go away. I think this somewhat unique to my use case though, probably not worth your time right now with the Android rollout. Which BTW I'm looking forward to trying out soon.
Email me if the Claude Context Checkpoint is of any use to you.
Glad you like it. All credit goes to Claude for the tech part. It was a project commissioned to see what it could do, and I have to admit, I was pretty amazed.
I build days/legs in Google maps since it has reviews for lunch stops, hotels and points of interest right in front. But even more so, to have a look at Street View. It's the only way I've found to stay off unpaved roads, yet travel as many back roads as possible. I then use the usual import to Scenic, and touch them up to match the Google routing, or occasion, accept the Scenic alternative.
Is there an API where I could extract an entire directory of rides in GPX or KML directly from Scenic? It already does that, but one at a time, at least as far as I know.
If there was something like that truly native, Google My Maps would go away. I think this somewhat unique to my use case though, probably not worth your time right now with the Android rollout. Which BTW I'm looking forward to trying out soon.
Email me if the Claude Context Checkpoint is of any use to you.
Quote from Guido on 22.03.2026, 18:56yes. Fully understand the workflow. I often plan like this as well (in Google Maps).
In Scenic you can also access StreetView or the Apple Maps variant “lookaround”. Long press on the map and then in the callout bubble it will say “lookaround”, if that location is available in Apple lookaround. If not it will falll back to Google StreetView.
At the moment it’s not possible to batch export routes from Scenic. Had more requests for this, but also that one is still on the backlog.
yes. Fully understand the workflow. I often plan like this as well (in Google Maps).
In Scenic you can also access StreetView or the Apple Maps variant “lookaround”. Long press on the map and then in the callout bubble it will say “lookaround”, if that location is available in Apple lookaround. If not it will falll back to Google StreetView.
At the moment it’s not possible to batch export routes from Scenic. Had more requests for this, but also that one is still on the backlog.
Quote from Marts on 22.03.2026, 20:33Interesting concept. But as a non-techie conehead type it went "whoosh" over my head.
I haven't heard of My Maps before so I opened it. I looked at it. Yeah, OK, now what? I entered an address and it dropped a light green marker on it. Other than that, that's it.
I'm doing a multi-day ride in May (if we still have any fuel here in Oz, that is). I've simply done it day-by-day, saved 3 routes. From Home to Canberra and from Canberra to Bathurst and onto the destination Gulgong in northern New South Wales. Anything more than that then my brain goes into thermal overload and I need to be reset. That's why I love Guido's Web App.
Interesting concept. But as a non-techie conehead type it went "whoosh" over my head.
I haven't heard of My Maps before so I opened it. I looked at it. Yeah, OK, now what? I entered an address and it dropped a light green marker on it. Other than that, that's it.
I'm doing a multi-day ride in May (if we still have any fuel here in Oz, that is). I've simply done it day-by-day, saved 3 routes. From Home to Canberra and from Canberra to Bathurst and onto the destination Gulgong in northern New South Wales. Anything more than that then my brain goes into thermal overload and I need to be reset. That's why I love Guido's Web App.
Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 04:23Yeah, sorry guys, but you lost me, too! Maybe if I had a real need for... whatever it is being discussed here, I'd understand. But apparently I don't! I do often use Google Maps for planning, because it's easy and convenient on a big screen... but I'm usually frustrated by the low limit of waypoints allowed.
So, why not check it out and see what it actually does, maybe I'll gain some insight? I planned a simple trip in Google Maps, with two waypoints to influence the road usage... and all I get is an error message, "Need at least 2 stops. Found 1. Is this a directions URL?"
Any suggestions?
Yeah, sorry guys, but you lost me, too! Maybe if I had a real need for... whatever it is being discussed here, I'd understand. But apparently I don't! I do often use Google Maps for planning, because it's easy and convenient on a big screen... but I'm usually frustrated by the low limit of waypoints allowed.
So, why not check it out and see what it actually does, maybe I'll gain some insight? I planned a simple trip in Google Maps, with two waypoints to influence the road usage... and all I get is an error message, "Need at least 2 stops. Found 1. Is this a directions URL?"
Any suggestions?
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 06:25Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 04:23Yeah, sorry guys, but you lost me, too! Maybe if I had a real need for... whatever it is being discussed here, I'd understand. But apparently I don't! I do often use Google Maps for planning, because it's easy and convenient on a big screen... but I'm usually frustrated by the low limit of waypoints allowed.
So, why not check it out and see what it actually does, maybe I'll gain some insight? I planned a simple trip in Google Maps, with two waypoints to influence the road usage... and all I get is an error message, "Need at least 2 stops. Found 1. Is this a directions URL?"
Any suggestions?
I think you likely had a route that started from "Your Location" to a single destination. That's how I recreated the message anyway. Using "Your Location" in the Google Maps route doesn't work since it moves every time you move. For example:
If you are anywhere in North America this shows how to get to the St Pete Pier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZowYAirkN3fu36FZ9
Here changes depending on where you are. The minimum input needs a beginning point, for example:
Tampa Airport to the St Pete Pier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vu6DWW93Yj7897vo7
Both examples above are the abbreviated link you can request from Google. The input to get a KML or GPX must be the long URL from the browser.
For Tampa Airport to the St Pete Pier that's:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tampa+International+Airport,+4100+George+J.+Bean+Pkwy,+Tampa,+FL+33607/St.+Pete+Pier,+600+2nd+Ave+NE,+St.+Petersburg,+FL+33701/@27.8749552,-82.6811062,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x88c2c246939e4443:0x7a5b8408c601d509!2m2!1d-82.5302804!2d27.9768646!1m5!1m1!1s0x88c2e1a9eb3be15f:0x294fc9a97bd1eff2!2m2!1d-82.622616!2d27.7737074!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxOC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
If this isn't it, please post the link so I can re-create the problem. Either format is OK.
Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 04:23Yeah, sorry guys, but you lost me, too! Maybe if I had a real need for... whatever it is being discussed here, I'd understand. But apparently I don't! I do often use Google Maps for planning, because it's easy and convenient on a big screen... but I'm usually frustrated by the low limit of waypoints allowed.
So, why not check it out and see what it actually does, maybe I'll gain some insight? I planned a simple trip in Google Maps, with two waypoints to influence the road usage... and all I get is an error message, "Need at least 2 stops. Found 1. Is this a directions URL?"
Any suggestions?
I think you likely had a route that started from "Your Location" to a single destination. That's how I recreated the message anyway. Using "Your Location" in the Google Maps route doesn't work since it moves every time you move. For example:
If you are anywhere in North America this shows how to get to the St Pete Pier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZowYAirkN3fu36FZ9
Here changes depending on where you are. The minimum input needs a beginning point, for example:
Tampa Airport to the St Pete Pier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vu6DWW93Yj7897vo7
Both examples above are the abbreviated link you can request from Google. The input to get a KML or GPX must be the long URL from the browser.
For Tampa Airport to the St Pete Pier that's:
If this isn't it, please post the link so I can re-create the problem. Either format is OK.
Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:30Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 06:25I think you likely had a route that started from "Your Location" to a single destination. That's how I recreated the message anyway. Using "Your Location" in the Google Maps route doesn't work since it moves every time you move.
Correct! I'll try again...
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 06:25I think you likely had a route that started from "Your Location" to a single destination. That's how I recreated the message anyway. Using "Your Location" in the Google Maps route doesn't work since it moves every time you move.
Correct! I'll try again...
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 07:41Quote from Marts on 22.03.2026, 20:33Interesting concept. But as a non-techie conehead type it went "whoosh" over my head.
I haven't heard of My Maps before so I opened it. I looked at it. Yeah, OK, now what? I entered an address and it dropped a light green marker on it. Other than that, that's it.
I'm doing a multi-day ride in May (if we still have any fuel here in Oz, that is). I've simply done it day-by-day, saved 3 routes. From Home to Canberra and from Canberra to Bathurst and onto the destination Gulgong in northern New South Wales. Anything more than that then my brain goes into thermal overload and I need to be reset. That's why I love Guido's Web App.
Google My Maps is not especially user friendly to build new maps. There is quite a learning curve. It is however, pretty easy to view a map that someone else built. The tool I posted cuts the map building effort in half.
For one or two riders, it's simply not needed.
But for a large group of riders, it's a good way to communicate the ride plan, both for riders thinking about going before the trip, and then a tool to use during the trip. It has the answer to where we are going tomorrow. But the My Map part is only a small part of the process.
What everyone uses mostly is the PDF file. Almost all our guys are north of 60 years old, this works best for them. Several printed it out and took it along.
Here is an example: https://scenic.app/wp-content/uploads/Sturgis-and-Rockies.pdf
Only the first page there is a cut and paste from My Maps, but it has a link to the more detailed online map for anyone interested. The source of the PDF is a Microsoft OneNote Notebook dedicated to the trip. As a result of using OneNote, you get a "free website". Not the most user friendly website, and only works well on a PC or Tablet, it needs a lot of screen real estate.
After Day 14, the whole plan is not especially well organized in this example, those were more personal notes. But sections where I had hotel reservations were useful for everyone to sync up on the place to stay the first few nights.
Link to the OneNote website: https://tinyurl.com/SPYC-Rockies
Identical content, simply another way to access the same thing.
So print it, open the PDF, or use the web pages everyone gets to decide what's best for them. Pre Scenic, I used the Google links off the web page for every leg. But cell service isn't universal. Google depends on it. Scenic was the answer.
All of this is might interest an organizer/route leader. Not a single rider not responsible for the planning.
Quote from Marts on 22.03.2026, 20:33Interesting concept. But as a non-techie conehead type it went "whoosh" over my head.
I haven't heard of My Maps before so I opened it. I looked at it. Yeah, OK, now what? I entered an address and it dropped a light green marker on it. Other than that, that's it.
I'm doing a multi-day ride in May (if we still have any fuel here in Oz, that is). I've simply done it day-by-day, saved 3 routes. From Home to Canberra and from Canberra to Bathurst and onto the destination Gulgong in northern New South Wales. Anything more than that then my brain goes into thermal overload and I need to be reset. That's why I love Guido's Web App.
Google My Maps is not especially user friendly to build new maps. There is quite a learning curve. It is however, pretty easy to view a map that someone else built. The tool I posted cuts the map building effort in half.
For one or two riders, it's simply not needed.
But for a large group of riders, it's a good way to communicate the ride plan, both for riders thinking about going before the trip, and then a tool to use during the trip. It has the answer to where we are going tomorrow. But the My Map part is only a small part of the process.
What everyone uses mostly is the PDF file. Almost all our guys are north of 60 years old, this works best for them. Several printed it out and took it along.
Here is an example: https://scenic.app/wp-content/uploads/Sturgis-and-Rockies.pdf
Only the first page there is a cut and paste from My Maps, but it has a link to the more detailed online map for anyone interested. The source of the PDF is a Microsoft OneNote Notebook dedicated to the trip. As a result of using OneNote, you get a "free website". Not the most user friendly website, and only works well on a PC or Tablet, it needs a lot of screen real estate.
After Day 14, the whole plan is not especially well organized in this example, those were more personal notes. But sections where I had hotel reservations were useful for everyone to sync up on the place to stay the first few nights.
Link to the OneNote website: https://tinyurl.com/SPYC-Rockies
Identical content, simply another way to access the same thing.
So print it, open the PDF, or use the web pages everyone gets to decide what's best for them. Pre Scenic, I used the Google links off the web page for every leg. But cell service isn't universal. Google depends on it. Scenic was the answer.
All of this is might interest an organizer/route leader. Not a single rider not responsible for the planning.
Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:42That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 08:10Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:42That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
I can confirm that isn't working. I thought it did, but sure isn't in this version. I didn't catch it recently since I use the drag function planning, but for reasons I forget at the moment, my practice before finalizing a route is to replace each dragged point with an actual waypoint. I think it may have to do with differences between Web Maps and App Maps. The phone version is not the same program and behaves differently. If I find out why, I will post an update.
Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:42That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
I can confirm that isn't working. I thought it did, but sure isn't in this version. I didn't catch it recently since I use the drag function planning, but for reasons I forget at the moment, my practice before finalizing a route is to replace each dragged point with an actual waypoint. I think it may have to do with differences between Web Maps and App Maps. The phone version is not the same program and behaves differently. If I find out why, I will post an update.
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 09:50Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 08:10Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:42That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
I can confirm that isn't working. I thought it did, but sure isn't in this version. I didn't catch it recently since I use the drag function planning, but for reasons I forget at the moment, my practice before finalizing a route is to replace each dragged point with an actual waypoint. I think it may have to do with differences between Web Maps and App Maps. The phone version is not the same program and behaves differently. If I find out why, I will post an update.
Claude reminded me we removed that function a while back to attack a waypoint ordering problem. It's now back, in very preliminary testing, it looks like it will work. I need to change the color on the waypoints in actual KML file, different, but too close to the same. Named waypoints and the Destination both look red.
Download and use from the same link, but make sure the Web Page header shows V1.7 to be sure you are using the this newer version.
http://tiny.cc/MapsToKML
Quote from Bob on 23.03.2026, 08:10Quote from mattsz on 23.03.2026, 07:42That works... but when I add "waypoints" in Google Maps by dragging the suggested route to where I want it to go, and copy and paste the URL into the Route Exporter, the route changes don't appear. When I import the Google Maps URL into Scenic, the route changes do appear. Again, though, I'm not really sure what the end goal of Route Exporter is, so I'm not too worried about it. As I said, for someone who does need or want this, I'm sure it's great!
EDIT: You beat me to it... I read your previous post. The "why" makes perfect sense... still fuzzy on the "how," but I can see this tool isn't meant for me!
I can confirm that isn't working. I thought it did, but sure isn't in this version. I didn't catch it recently since I use the drag function planning, but for reasons I forget at the moment, my practice before finalizing a route is to replace each dragged point with an actual waypoint. I think it may have to do with differences between Web Maps and App Maps. The phone version is not the same program and behaves differently. If I find out why, I will post an update.
Claude reminded me we removed that function a while back to attack a waypoint ordering problem. It's now back, in very preliminary testing, it looks like it will work. I need to change the color on the waypoints in actual KML file, different, but too close to the same. Named waypoints and the Destination both look red.
Download and use from the same link, but make sure the Web Page header shows V1.7 to be sure you are using the this newer version.
