You may not know this but you can actually plot out detailed routes on Google Maps. It is possible to draft routes – with specified distances – that are off-road. Here's how it works...
Our first Tech Tip of 2024 - Happy New Year! This time of year is synonymous with creating resolutions. “New Year, New me” – and all that jazz! Many goals tend to have a health related focus, be it Dry January, daily meditations or signing up for that gym membership!
According to a survey conducted by Forbes Health and OnePoll, top of the 2024 New Year’s goals list was “improve fitness.” 48% deemed their physical fitness the main priority for the year ahead.
Maybe you are looking to improve your fitness this year by taking up running? Perhaps you have signed up to Couch to 5k or are training for the upcoming London Marathon? You may even be a seasoned runner looking to take it to the next level? Either which way, you’ve got your training plan, but you need some routes to match!
You may not know this but you can use standard Google Maps to plan out your routes. We don’t mean just typing in start and finish locations – like you would in the car – until you get a distance that is roughly 10k.
You can actually plot out detailed routes on Google Maps. Plus, you are not limited to roads and chasing pavements. It is possible to draft routes – with specified distances – that are off-road. They can go through woodlands, glades and water; permission is granted to take the scenic route!
*Disclaimer* It only accounts for the distance in one plane. So, if you are planning a route in more hilly terrain such as the Lake District, this method does not account for elevation gain (any vertical distance accrued). There is a ‘Terrain’ view that will give you some indication of the elevation but you may get more hard work than you bargained for!
This function doesn’t just benefit runners. It can also be used by cyclists, hikers and even water sports enthusiasts! So without further ado, tie up your shoelaces, grab your helmet or put on that wetsuit. Get set to go plan some routes!
How to measure the distance of a route on Google maps on a computer
- Go to Google Maps on your selected browser on your computer.
- Place your cursor at the start location of your run route on the map.
- Right click and select ‘Measure distance’.
- Plot/draw/trace out your route by clicking on the map:
- You can add as many clicks as you like.
- You are not limited to road running. You can map out the distance of a route through a park or woodland for example.
- With every click, Google Maps will calculate the cumulative distance of your route in both kilometres (km) and miles (m) in the little pop-up card at the bottom of the screen.
Handy Tips:
- If the route you have plotted ends up being too long or too short for your needs, you don’t have to start the whole process again. You can simply edit points by clicking and dragging them.
- To remove a point, just click on it.
- When you have finished plotting your route, press ‘x’ on the card at the bottom of the screen or right click and press ‘Clear measurement.’
How to measure the distance of a route on Google maps on Android
- Open up the Google Maps app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap and hold on the start location of your running route on the map. A red location pin will appear. Please note: If there are lots of place names or icons near your starting location, avoid pressing these.
- Tap on the red location pin.
- Select ‘Measure distance.’
- A black target symbol will appear around the white point that marks your starting location.
- Move the map so that the black target circle is where the next point in your route is to be plotted.
- Tap ‘Add point’ in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
- Repeat the previous 2 steps until you have plotted out your entire route.
- With every point added, the Google Maps app calculates the cumulative distance in both kilometres (km) and miles (m) at the bottom of the screen.
Handy Tips:
- You can add multiple points.
- To remove:
- The last point added – tap Undo (the backwards curved arrow icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen.)
- All points added – tap the kebab menu icon (3 vertically stacked dots) and select ‘Clear.’
- When you have finished plotting your route, tap the back arrow in the top left-hand corner.
How to measure the distance of a route on Google maps on iPhone or iPad
- Open up the Google Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap and hold on the start location of your running route on the map. A red location pin will appear. Please note: If there are lots of place names or icons near your starting location, avoid pressing these.
- Tap on the red location pin.
- Select ‘Measure distance.’
- A black target symbol will appear around the white point that marks your starting location.
- Move the map so that the black target circle is where the next point in your route is to be plotted.
- Tap ‘Add point’ in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
- Repeat the previous 2 steps until you have plotted out your entire route.
- With every point added, the Google Maps app calculates the cumulative distance in both kilometres (km) and miles (m) at the bottom of the screen.
Handy Tips:
- You can add multiple points.
- To remove:
- The last point added – tap Undo (the backwards curved arrow icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen.)
- All points added – tap the meatballs menu icon (3 horizontal dots) and select ‘Clear.’
- When you have finished plotting your route, tap the back arrow in the top left-hand corner.
Remember, to plot out intricate twists and turns to help you achieve the most elaborate Strava art!