Retrieve DirectionsResult data from a Google Maps URL

Currently, I am developing an updated tool that can transform Google Maps directions into GPX files. The initial version of this tool is performing quite well: it utilizes the Google Maps Javascript API (v3) to showcase a map on the website, allowing users to plan their route using familiar methods similar to those on the main Google Maps page.

An important feature of this site (and the functionality in previous versions prior to Google making changes to their undocumented &output=kml interface!) involves users mapping out their routes on the main Google Maps platform and saving the link for future reference. By pasting this link onto the site, the tool would then convert the planned route into a GPX file.

I am curious if there is a method to extract a DirectionsResult from a Google Maps URL or the main Google Maps page (potentially achieved by submitting the URL to the Google Maps API for analysis or utilizing a bookmarklet on the webpage itself).

javascriptgoogle-mapsgoogle-maps-api-3

Answer №1

The DirectionsResult object is not directly accessible through the link provided on maps.google.com. However, the endpoints and any waypoints specified should yield the same result when given the same input.

Update

Below is a breakdown of the URL from the supplied link, with 24 total waypoints (including 2 end points). The 'geocode' parameter remains somewhat mysterious.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?
saddr=Unknown+road  //1
daddr=51.59782,-2.08838 //2
+to:51.74885,-1.94076   //3
+to:51.89255,-1.87129   //4
+to:51.82571,-1.79752   //5
+to:B4020   //6
+to:51.8183,-1.41985    //7
+to:51.72228,-1.43255   //8
+to:51.6239798,-1.3071767   //9
+to:B4001   //10
+to:51.34501,-1.34062   //11
+to:51.35822,-1.12071   //12
+to:51.31526,-1.02412   //13
+to:51.08784,-1.62069   //14
+to:51.29048,-1.73004   //15
+to:51.21761,-1.98589   //16
+to:51.397,-2.13542 //17
+to:Gloucester+Rd%2FA46 //18
+to:51.69001,-2.22161   //19
+to:51.81753,-2.07376   //20
+to:Southam+Ln  //21
+to:52.06075,-1.95706   //22
+to:52.1244,-1.64775    //23
+to:Unknown+road    //24

hl=en
sll=51.421477,-1.238708
sspn=0.804988,2.425232
geocode=Fe3uEwMd_znk_w%3BFfxREwMdRCLg_ylHpOCHwW1xSDHRnVfMI4sNEw%3BFfKfFQMd6GLi_ymv2fIl5RVxSDFAVssIXhupMA%3BFUbRFwMdRnLj_yk75kbkvCNxSDHw_q6FJ4sNEw%3BFS7MFgMdcJLk_ykD5mQuJTtxSDHgWC3MI4sNEw%3BFdYZFgMd7WHn_w%3BFTyvFgMdtlXq_ymvJFBAac52SDFgrE_MI4sNEw%3BFSg4FQMdGiTq_ymp-yJAfMl2SDGhNuPMI4sNEw%3BFSu4EwMd2A3s_ylFwdt-trl2SDF0LAm28EHw6A%3BFZq5EgMdyvfo_w%3BFXJ2DwMdNIvr_yn381tpGqh2SDHyCAjGbJ6ylw%3B...
...and so on

hl=en
sll=51.421477,-1.238708
sspn=0.804988,2.425232
geocode=... //this continues further

mra=dpe
mrsp=11
sz=9
via=1,2,3,4,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,19,21,22
t=m
z=8

To gain a better understanding of map parameters, you can refer to this resource:

Answer №2

Not every route point is guaranteed to be present in the URL of the new Google Maps, especially with shortened URLs.

Some time ago, I developed a tool that can transform the new Google Maps format into a gpx file.

Check it out here!

This tool is also capable of providing a JSON response.

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