kml-to-gmaps

Disclaimer

Warning

This code was generated in part by an AI assistant. While I have reviewed and modified it, I make no claims of exclusive ownership. This repository is provided "as-is" without any warranty or guarantee of originality or suitability for any purpose. Users should conduct their own due diligence before use.

About this repository

This repository contains a script to convert KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files to Google Maps URLs with the aim of allowing navigation along the route with Google Maps as best as possible.

Why Use This?

While Google Maps offers the option to generate custom routes with the My Maps feature, Google Maps does not by default allow you to follow along that exact route. While other mapping solutions exist that allow you to follow along exact routes like OsmAnd or Outdooractive they fall short in other areas such as traffic statistics or rerouting in case of construction work.

In addition to that, Google Maps has a limitation of 9 waypoints per route, which makes it difficult to set up longer trips with a specific paths manually.

Table of Contents

• kml-to-gmaps
  • Disclaimer
  • About this repository
    • Why Use This?
  • Table of Contents
  • Features
  • Prerequisites
  • Usage
    • Installation & Basic Usage
    • Advanced Examples
  • Supported Parameters

Features

• Converts KML to Google Maps URLs
• Customizable waypoint amount
• Route "splitting" with more than 9 Waypoints
• Two waypoint selection algorithms
  • RDP (Ramer–Douglas–Peucker algorithm)
  • Even distribution
• No external dependencies

Prerequisites

• Python >= 3.11.x

Usage

Installation & Basic Usage

1. Either Download kml-to-gmaps.py or clone the repository using git clone https://github.com/RotusMaximus/kml-to-gmaps
2. Open your Terminal
3. Navigate to the folder you placed the script in
4. Call the script like so python kml_to_gmaps.py <KML_FILE_NAME_OR_PATH>.kml
5. Done! You should see the output URL in your Terminal window

Advanced Examples

Using five waypoints using even distribution:

python kml_to_gmaps.py route.kml -n 5 -m even

Using 18 waypoints using a cycling route:

python kml_to_gmaps.py route.kml -n 18 -t bicycling

Supported Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default	Possible Values
-h --help	Shows the help message.	-
-n --num_waypoints	Total number of intermediate waypoints desired for the route. If > 9, multiple URLs will be generated.	9	Any Number
-m --method	Waypoint selection method: 'even' (evenly distributed) or 'rdp' (significant points).	rdp	rdp, even
-t --travelmode	Google Maps travel mode.	driving	driving,walking,bicycling,two-wheeler,transit
-o --output	Optional file path to save the generated URLs (one URL per line).	-	Absolute or relative file path