GPX Files: How to Import and Use Them on Your GPS or Smartphone

Your route is ready. It just needs the right format.

You’ve spent time mapping your road trip: stages placed, passes spotted, coffee breaks planned. Everything looks perfect on screen. But one question always comes up before departure: how do you transfer this route to your GPS or phone?

The answer is three letters: GPX.

This universal format lets you share an itinerary between apps, dedicated GPS units, and smartphones. In this article, we explain what a GPX file is, how to export it from rydrway, and how to use it on your device — hassle-free.

What is a GPX file?

GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is a standard text file that contains:

• A track: the route line with GPS coordinates (and often elevation)
• Waypoints: your named stages (departure, breaks, overnight, arrival)
• Metadata: title, description, creation date

In short: it’s the digital postcard of your road trip. You create it on rydrway, send it to your GPS, and your device knows exactly where to go.

Export a GPX from rydrway

Once your road trip is saved (minimum 2 stages), go to the “Import/Export” tab in the sidebar, then “Export GPX”.

Step 1 — Choose your device

rydrway lets you select your GPS brand for best compatibility:

• Garmin (Zumo, Montana, Drive…)
• TomTom
• BMW Navigator
• BMW Motorrad Connected
• Waze
• Other

Step 2 — Generate the file

Click “Generate GPX”. Two options:

• Direct download of the .gpx file to your computer or smartphone
• QR code to scan from your phone and retrieve the file without a cable

Step 3 — Multi-day road trip?

If your itinerary includes “Overnight” stages or different dates, enable “One GPX file per day”. rydrway automatically splits your route into separate files — handy for loading day by day on a GPS with limited memory.

GPX export pricing

Import a GPX to your dedicated GPS

Garmin

1. Connect your GPS to your computer via USB (or use Garmin Connect / Wi-Fi depending on model)
2. Copy the .gpx file to Garmin/NewFiles/ or GPX/
3. Disconnect and power on the GPS
4. Menu Where To? → Files → select your track
5. Start navigation

Rider tip: on recent Zumo models, you can also send the GPX via the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone.

TomTom

1. Connect your Rider or GPS to your computer
2. Open TomTom MyDrive or copy the file to the appropriate folder
3. Sync
4. On the GPS: Routes → Import → select the track

BMW Navigator / BMW Motorrad Connected

1. Export from rydrway choosing BMW Navigator or BMW Motorrad Connected
2. Transfer via the Connected Ride app or USB cable
3. The track appears in your saved routes
4. Start navigation from the TFT screen or the app

Use a GPX on your smartphone

No dedicated GPS? Your phone works great with the right apps  (Google Maps, Apple Plans, Waze…).

General method

1. Download the .gpx from rydrway (or scan the QR code)
2. Open the file with your chosen navigation app
3. The app displays the track and waypoints on the map
4. Start navigation

Via rydrway QR code: generate the GPX on your computer, scan the QR with your phone, open in your motorcycle app. No cable needed.

Import a GPX into rydrway (the other way around)

The flow works in reverse too. Received a GPX from a friend, found a track on a forum, or exported from another tool?

1. “Import/Export” tab → “Import GPX/KML”
2. Select your .gpx or .kml file
3. rydrway converts waypoints into stages and displays the track on the map
4. Adjust, enrich with POIs, then save

Limits: minimum 2 points, up to ~26 sampled stages. You can also import a road trip shared by the rydrway community in one click.

Practical tips for a smooth ride

Before departure

• Check the GPX contain strack + waypoints (not just points)
• Test the import the day before, not on departure morning
• For multi-day trips, useper-dayexport
• Keep the rydrway PDF as backup (printable map + stage list)

On the road

• A GPX follows the planned route, not necessarily real-time rerouting — adapt if a road is closed
• rydrway waypoints match your named stages: departure, coffee, over night, arrival
• Download offline maps if riding in areas with poor signal

Troubleshooting

Summary

GPX is the bridge between your planning screen and the real road. With rydrway, that bridge takes just a few clicks.

Export your first GPX from rydrway →