Running route planner

RunCulture's free running route planner lets you create a running route in a few clicks. Pick a starting point (an address, your current location, or a click on the map), set your distance, and let the route generator suggest running loops, or map your own route point by point.

Frequently asked questions

How do I plan a running loop of a specific distance?

Pick a starting point, set the distance you want to run, and click Generate route. You'll get loops that stay within a few percent of your distance and bring you back to where you started; in the route preferences, you can also choose Out & back. Popular loops from other runners nearby are considered as suggestions, too. None of the suggestions feel right? Generate more, or drag the points of a suggestion to adjust it.

Can I draw my own running route and measure the distance?

Yes. Choose Draw and click or tap the map to add points. The route automatically follows paths and streets, and the planner instantly calculates the distance, running time, and elevation gain. Drag a point to change the route, and use undo and redo when you want to go back a step. Arrows show the running direction, distance labels mark every kilometer or mile, and the satellite map shows what it looks like in real life.

What is runner happiness?

Runner happiness is our score for how enjoyable a route is to run, from 0 to 100%. Nature counts the most (green space, and water at half weight), followed by the share of car-free paths, quiet roads and few traffic lights, a smooth line without lots of turns or doubling back on the same road, and a distance that matches. The planner uses this score to pick which loops to suggest. Every suggestion card shows its runner happiness, along with the percentage for what you pinned in the legend or for your route preference, such as the share through green space.

Can I plan a running route through parks, along water, or on unpaved trails?

Yes. In the route preferences, you can choose mostly paths, mostly paved, or unpaved; green space, water, or both; as flat as possible or hilly; and prefer lit streets (handy after dark) or quiet roads. These preferences really count: the planner picks the loops that fit them best. If there isn't much of what you're looking for nearby, it tells you and gives you the loop that comes closest.

What do the bars in the legend show?

They show how much of your route runs on car-free paths, on unpaved ground, through green space, along water, and on lit streets. For Lit, you'll also see how much is unlit and how much the map doesn't know about. The question mark next to each bar explains it. Hover over a bar and those stretches light up on the map; click it (or tap it on your phone) to keep them highlighted. Below that are the number of traffic lights and a small elevation profile with your elevation gain; click it to open the full elevation profile, which you can drag and resize.

Where can I find drinking water, restrooms, and traffic lights along my route?

Open Map layers and choose All, Only on route, or None for drinking water, public restrooms, and traffic lights. With Only on route, you see just what you'll pass along the way. Drinking water points are public fountains from open map data: they aren't guaranteed and are sometimes shut off in winter.

How many calories will I burn running a route?

Every route shows an estimate of the active calories you'll burn. The estimate takes the distance, pace, elevation, and surface into account. Add your weight to your profile for a more accurate estimate; without it, the planner uses a default weight.

How do I get a running route onto my Garmin or other watch?

When you're signed in, open the menu with the download icon and choose Send to Garmin Connect™: the route goes to your watch as a course, including drinking water points, the next time your watch syncs (Navigation > Courses). A new route is saved first, and if you haven't connected Garmin Connect™ yet, you'll do that first. For other watches, choose Download GPX and import the file into your watch's app; you don't need to save the route for that.

How do I save and share a route?

Save your route and it opens in a new tab on its own page, with a permanent link to send to friends or your running club. For a loop, you can turn on Hide start point when saving: the route stays visible, but your exact starting point doesn't. You'll find your saved routes again in the … menu.

Is the running route planner free?

Yes. Planning, downloading, saving, and sharing routes is free, and you don't need an account. Add your email address when saving, and you can link the route to your account later. To send routes to Garmin Connect™, you'll need to sign in.