Is Google maps an accurate way to measure a run?

bjdw1
bjdw1 Posts: 140 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been using the directions feature on Google Maps to measure my run distances and work out my pace. Are the distances on there accure enough for my data to be useful?

Replies

  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Its good enough, but it is easier to use a run-specific tracker like MapMyRun.com, especially if you want to run trails or search for specific distances in your area.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Get the Google tracks app. It uses Maps and keeps your time, pace, distance and elevation
  • 126siany
    126siany Posts: 1,386 Member
    Get the Google tracks app. It uses Maps and keeps your time, pace, distance and elevation

    I use this too. It's called My Tracks. (You also have to have Google Earth installed to use it.)
  • bjdw1
    bjdw1 Posts: 140 Member
    Sadly, 3G data is way expensive in New Zealand.
  • jennynew00
    jennynew00 Posts: 1 Member
    i know someone else mentioned it already, but if mapmyrun.com works for you in NZ, that's a great way to go. i use it here in the southeast US and it's great!
  • Elizaj85
    Elizaj85 Posts: 158 Member
    http://www.walkjogrun.net/ I use this an have found it to be better then google maps
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Try mapmyrun - you can plot your run out on there, and when you plot your route on the map, it 'snap to' the road, which makes it pretty accurate. (You can switch of the 'snap to' if you have to cross over a field or something, so you're not stuck with roads and paths only.)

    There's a GPS app for it for smart phones, but I understand about the prohibitive cost. Your best alternative there might be to get a garmin, long term. It gives a more accurate reading than either plotting manually or using a phone based app. Mine is a basic model, cost me about £70.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I used the runkeeper website before I had a smartphone to use the app. It tracked the distances just fine. But it's nice using the app that I don't have to remember exactly where I go or where I start.
  • shyeban
    shyeban Posts: 121 Member
    Another vote for map my run!
  • bjdw1
    bjdw1 Posts: 140 Member
    mapmyrun is driving me insane. It won't let me register.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    I use mapmyrun.
  • LisaWilson2012
    LisaWilson2012 Posts: 118 Member
    I use Run Walk Jog...
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    I've been using Google Maps pedestrian routes too. Am I understanding correctly that everyone is saying this isn't accurate? Can anyone say how much Google Maps is typically off versus the other tools you've been using?

    I'm surprised because I would have thought that Google was pretty accurate since they have that street level camera vehicle that drives around tracking everything. Do the other programs use government data or something?

    Or is it a difference in app features versus accuracy?

    Thanks.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    mapmyrun is driving me insane. It won't let me register.

    If you have a facebook account, login through that. (For some reason that always works better for me, with these things!). But I seem to remember you can plot a run without being registered.

    Runkeeper and endomondo will also let you do the same job, if you can't get mapmyrun to work. Endo is not quite as good an interface for online mapping, though.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    I've been using Google Maps pedestrian routes too. Am I understanding correctly that everyone is saying this isn't accurate? Can anyone say how much Google Maps is typically off versus the other tools you've been using?

    I'm surprised because I would have thought that Google was pretty accurate since they have that street level camera vehicle that drives around tracking everything. Do the other programs use government data or something?

    Or is it a difference in app features versus accuracy?

    Thanks.

    It isn't more or less accurate - it's just easier to use bespoke tools.
    I haven't used google maps this way in a while, but the last time I did, it didn't give elevations at all? On the bespoke running mappers, it will calculate your climbs for you too, which can be very useful.
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    Thanks meerkat70!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I don't think it's that Google Maps is inaccurate (since I think that all other tracking aps use google maps as their basis). I think most people find that the measuring tools in mapmyrun are easier and allow you to be more precise.
  • ashleyjoy80
    ashleyjoy80 Posts: 18
    You can also use the dailymile to track your runs too!
  • xowyomingox
    xowyomingox Posts: 17 Member
    I'm surprised no one has mentioned this app yet...I use Nike Run. I love it. You set your goals and your guide tells you what pace you're at, how far you have to go, ect....and you can have people cheer you on on facebook while you run. It's a great app and it doesn't stop you're music if you're using a different app to listen to music while you run. Hands down my favorite app to use while running.
  • sidhe31
    sidhe31 Posts: 96
    I've relied on runkeeper for most of my tracking but when I can't rely on a solid 3G signal I usually resort to mappedometer.com to do my tracking. In my city it is about as accurate as run keeper, as long as I pay attention to the settings I use on mappedometer. Don't let it auto calculate a running route for you, I just pick mapping points that are close together, that saves me the 3Km detours that the auto route sometimes adds.
  • BeyondThePixels
    BeyondThePixels Posts: 91 Member
    For those who may not have a fancy phone like me... walkjogrun.net is awesome!
  • danimal5867
    danimal5867 Posts: 390
    My favorite is endomondo. Excellent smartphone app and a cool social networking site.
  • toniRAD
    toniRAD Posts: 196 Member
    I've been using the Endomondo app to measure mine. I love it.:D
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    I used the runkeeper website before I had a smartphone to use the app. It tracked the distances just fine. But it's nice using the app that I don't have to remember exactly where I go or where I start.
    Right! Can you use Runkeeper (or something similar) for your run then upload it from your phone via wifi when you get home? Maybe? :)
  • suzieqcookie
    suzieqcookie Posts: 314 Member
    Its good enough, but it is easier to use a run-specific tracker like MapMyRun.com, especially if you want to run trails or search for specific distances in your area.

    that's what i was going to say. but if you think MFP way overestimates calories, MMR does so even more! MFP gave me 564 calorie burn credit, MMR gave me 885
  • bjdw1
    bjdw1 Posts: 140 Member
    I just created a profile on mapmyrun. It estimated my burn for todays run at 675 and MFP gave me 625, so they're not to far apart for me. How accurate they really are I couldn't say except that MFP can't be to far over or I wouldn't have lost all the weight I have.

    I think MMR is going to be a good tool for me. Thanks for all the suggestions.
  • bjdw1
    bjdw1 Posts: 140 Member
    Hmmm. I shared my run to Facebook and it shows up on my Timeline but not on my Wall. Any ideas why?
  • jdk1000
    jdk1000 Posts: 3
    Yesterday I walked from Grand Central to the Metropolitan Museum, New York and so two straight lines. Google maps puts that as just over 2 miles, Map My Run almost 3! The same was true of a shorter distance, with the google maps measure just shy of a mile, while map my run shows almost a mile and a half. How can this be happening? Who do I believe??
  • jdk1000
    jdk1000 Posts: 3
    Maps My Run was giving me 20% more distance than google maps, so I switched to Runkeeper. Now I see it's doing the same thing! They use GPS, but I cannot believe Google maps is that off. I will try the Google app but this is my third app to just try to get an accurate distance.

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