Need Help Starting Navigation on a Custom Google Map

[wcc]

I've created a couple custom maps online that I saved and then I can see them in my google map app under saved maps on my phone but I can't get them to start navigation. All I can see is the step by step directions that I would have to print out and read. Anyone here familiar with these custom maps and getting them to start navigation?

Or should I use a different map application for custom maps?

[masraum]

subscribed. I'm sure there are apps, I think there are folks that organize group rides that will navigate the route that you want. I think they use apps for that purpose. So often I find that most of the regular navigation apps want to route you the fastest or most efficient route rather than the route that you are wanting to take.

[wcc]

If I just do destinations and pull the line around it changes the route to what I want but then I send it to someone or myself it re-routes it to the fastes route. Argh...

The only way around it, I found, is to create a lot of destinations along the route I want and sometimes that works out. But that's a pia.

[wilnj]

Never tried it but I searched it and come up with this. Does this not work?

https://www.lifewire.com/create-custom-route-on-google-maps-5199091


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[wcc]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Never tried it but I searched it and come up with this. Does this not work?

https://www.lifewire.com/create-custom-route-on-google-maps-5199091


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not that I can tell. I can create the map in my saved maps, etc. I just can't get it to start navigation.

[GH85Carrera]

As I remember from a friend doing it, export your custom route as a KMZ and then download and install a KMZ loader app. There are also apps from Porsche called Roads. It is supposed to have the good driving roads and not the shortest or fastest route.

[blucille]

create a first step/location that is "current location"

[wcc]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

As I remember from a friend doing it, export your custom route as a KMZ and then download and install a KMZ loader app. There are also apps from Porsche called Roads. It is supposed to have the good driving roads and not the shortest or fastest route.

That's interesting becuase I was wondering about exporting it. I tried a bunch of different apps after reading this and nothing was really working. I found this app called 'Routes' and they couldn't do anything with the KMZ file but they could load up a KML file. Not really the easiest route to go but this seems to work. Thank you!

But I'm still open to suggestions and other ideas that might make it simpler. I mean I don't even have to use google maps it's just that I'm more familiar with it. Maybe there's a different app all together that would work in one step that I should consider?

[wcc]

Originally Posted by blucille

create a first step/location that is "current location"

I tried that as well but it would re-route me to most efficient route.

[cstreit]

What I do in this case is export the gpx or kml, import it into my garmin, and turn the track into a route.

I haven;t found a way to get turn by turn in Google mymaps - best you can do is follow the trace. Turn by turn is nice, but not really necessary.

[wcc]

I totally forgot about Garmin stuff. That's a great option too. I'll take a look. Plus it'll free up my phone for other things. Like texting while driving and posting tictok videos. JK. lol

[masraum]

I don't know anything about this app, but it was mentioned in a post for the local PCA group in combination with a group drive.

[wcc]

I'll take a look to see if that does what I'm looking for, thanks for posting...

[blucille]

Originally Posted by wcc

I tried that as well but it would re-route me to most efficient route.

then you need to drop some pins along your desired route.

Just choose a few locations that lock the algorithm into using your desired routes. Obviously it varies from one geographic region to another, and you are limited to maybe 10 dropped pins.

Typically, when planning a longer drive, I break it up by morning and afternoon sessions. 10 dropped pins are usually enough to keep me on the route no matter what better route might be available.

[GH85Carrera]

This summer I am driving to Palm Springs, CA and going on a custom route. The boring part is getting to Amarillo, and then down to Clovis, NM. From there, to Socorro, NM for the night, 614 miles. Then on to the VLA telescope tour, to So Low AZ, Prescott, AZ, on to Aguila AZ and on in to Palm Springs.

I just punch in each city one at a time on my GPS. It is connected to me phone, so I just use the sell phone to add a new destination, and it uploads it the the GPS.

Garmin does have a program for a computer called Garmin Base Camp. It allows a custom map to be uploaded to the GPS, but I have yet to get it to work right for me.

Porsche has an app called Roads. You have to sign up with Porsche, and give them the VIN of your car, and get on their email list. Then use that log in email to use Roads, but it is free. I plan to have that set up and ready as well. I want to make a side trip up to Amboy, CA and Truth or Consequences, NM just to get a photo of my car in front of the sign.

[wcc]

Originally Posted by blucille

then you need to drop some pins along your desired route.

Just choose a few locations that lock the algorithm into using your desired routes. Obviously it varies from one geographic region to another, and you are limited to maybe 10 dropped pins.

Typically, when planning a longer drive, I break it up by morning and afternoon sessions. 10 dropped pins are usually enough to keep me on the route no matter what better route might be available.

Yeah, I've done that and then sent the directions to my phone and it would still re-route it between the pins. Frustrating.

[wcc]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

This summer I am driving to Palm Springs, CA and going on a custom route. The boring part is getting to Amarillo, and then down to Clovis, NM. From there, to Socorro, NM for the night, 614 miles. Then on to the VLA telescope tour, to So Low AZ, Prescott, AZ, on to Aguila AZ and on in to Palm Springs.

I just punch in each city one at a time on my GPS. It is connected to me phone, so I just use the sell phone to add a new destination, and it uploads it the the GPS.

Garmin does have a program for a computer called Garmin Base Camp. It allows a custom map to be uploaded to the GPS, but I have yet to get it to work right for me.

Porsche has an app called Roads. You have to sign up with Porsche, and give them the VIN of your car, and get on their email list. Then use that log in email to use Roads, but it is free. I plan to have that set up and ready as well. I want to make a side trip up to Amboy, CA and Truth or Consequences, NM just to get a photo of my car in front of the sign.

I am starting to lean towards the Garmin. It would be an exported KML file from google maps that I would import into Garmin. I assume I can upload numerous maps to it and scroll through it. I'm taking a trip as well and I would like to put all the maps in there for the week.

I see the App but it looks as though it's only for Iphones? I don't see it in google play store. I'll keep looking for it.