How to use Google Maps to create a KML file of your maps and why you want to

If you want to create a KML file of your Google Maps, do this:

  1. Go to your map
  2. Right click on the hyperlink “View in Google Earth”
  3. Select “Copy Link Location” from the menu
  4. Open a new tab in your browser and paste the link into your address bar
  5. Before pressing the ENTER key, change part of the URL from “Output=nl” to “Output=kml” and leave everything else the same and press ENTER
  6. Save the file.

At a minimum, this makes a good backup file for your map. But better still, you can edit it in a text editor and import it later. Google Maps is great and very usable, but sometimes only a text editor (or some custom code) can change the file the way you want.

Have fun!

P.S. I learned this from another page, but I lost the link! Thanks to whomever blogged about this before. Great tip!