Differences Between Routes and Tracks on a Garmin Automotive Device

Routes and tracks are sets of information designed to help navigate. See below for information on the differences between routes and tracks and when to best use a route or a track.

Routes

Routes are paths created from a group of locations entered into the device in the sequence you desire to navigate.

• Routes can be made from user generated waypoints, shaping points, and points of interest.

• Routes will include detailed turn-by-turn directions.

• Devices have waypoint limits for routes. See the appropriate link below for more information.

  • Overlander® GPS navigator: User Data Limitations of the Overlander.

  • Kawasaki RIDGE 8" Tread Display, Tread®, Tread® - Base Edition, Tread® - Overland Edition, Tread® - SxS Edition, and Tread® XL - Overland Edition GPS navigators: User Data Limitations of the Tread Series.

  • zūmo XT® GPS navigator: User Data Limitations of the zūmo XT GPS navigator.

  • zūmo XT2® GPS navigator: User Data Limitations of the zūmo XT2 GPS navigator.

  • All Other Devices: Maximum Number of Waypoints Allowed in a Route or Trip on an Automotive Device.

• Routes can be created directly on the device or by using a compatible program or application. To view the available compatible Garmin applications, see the articles below.

  • BaseCamp: Automotive Device Compatibility with Receiving Routes Transferred from BaseCamp.

  • Garmin Explore™ App: Device Compatibility With the Garmin Explore App.

  • Garmin Explore™ website: Automotive Devices Compatible with the Garmin Explore Website.

  • Tread® App: Tread App Compatibility and Availability.

NOTE:

• When using the zūmo XT2 and Tread devices, it is recommended to use the Tread® App for managing waypoints, routes, and tracks.

• BaseCamp is not compatible with the zūmo XT2.

• BaseCamp can be used to manage waypoints and tracks, but BaseCamp does not support route creation for the Tread devices.

• The Garmin Explore website can be used to manage waypoints and tracks, but does not support route creation for the Tread devices and zūmo XT2.

Tracks

Tracks act like breadcrumbs; allowing you to see where you or another individual traveled in the past. This enables you to navigate a path previously taken. The travel history/trip log will contain information about the recorded path including time, location, and elevation information. Although tracks can be navigated, they will not provide turn-by-turn directions.

• Tracks contain track points; not waypoints or points of interest.

• There are two different types of tracks: travel history/trip log and saved tracks.

• Most devices have a limit of 10,000 points per track. The zūmo XT2 has a limit of 100,000 points per track.

• Tracks can be converted to a route on some devices.

Examples of When it is Best to use a Route or Track

• Routes are best suited for reaching a specific destination or set of destinations using roadways or trails with turn-by-turn directions. 

• Tracks are best suited when it's necessary to travel on a very specific path to reach the desired destination.

  • Tracks are also best when there are not many changes of direction in a short period of time, since they will not include turn-by-turn directions.

  • Generally, tracks are best suited for off-road navigation such as trails.

  • When navigating a track, you can recreate an exact ride that you or someone else has completed previously.