Create Custom Routes and Draw Paths on Google Maps with the Direction API: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Draw Path on Map using Google Maps Direction API
Drawing a path on a map is a common requirement in many applications, especially in the field of navigation and transportation. The Google Maps Direction API provides a convenient way to get the directions between two locations and draw the path on the map.In this blog , we will explore how to use the Google Maps Direction API to draw a path on a map and integrate it into a PHP application.
Here are the key points to consider when using the Google Maps Direction API in PHP:
- API Key:
To use the Google Maps Direction API , you need to get an API key from the Google Cloud Console. This key is used to authenticate your API requests and ensure that you are authorized to access the API.
- Request URL:
The API provides a set of directions services that you can use to get directions for different modes of transportation, such as driving, walking, and biking. To make a request to the API, you need to specify the origin, destination, and mode of transportation in the request URL.
- Response Format:
The API returns a JSON response that contains the directions for the requested route. The response includes information such as the distance, duration, and the points that define the route.
- Drawing the Path:
To draw the path on the map, you can use the Google Maps JavaScript API. You can create a polyline object that represents the route and add it to the map.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these points and see how they can be integrated into a PHP application.
- API Key:
To get an API key, you need to have a Google account and create a project in the Google Cloud Console. Once you have created a project, you can enable the Google Maps Direction API and get an API key. You need to add this API key to your API requests to authenticate them.
- Request URL:
The request URL for the Google Maps Direction API is in the following format:
- Response Format:
The response from the API is a JSON object that contains the directions for the requested route. The JSON object includes information such as the distance, duration, and the points that define the route. You can parse the response to extract the information you need and draw the path on the map.
- Drawing the Path:
To draw the path on the map, you can use the Google Maps JavaScript API. You can create a polyline object that represents the route and add it to the map. Here is a sample code to draw a path on a map using the Google Maps Direction API and the Google Maps JavaScript API in PHP:
Where ORIGIN and DESTINATION are the starting and ending points of the route, MODE is the mode of transportation (e.g. driving, walking, biking), and API_KEY is your API key.
In this code, we make a request to the Google Maps Direction API to get the directions between two locations. We extract the points that define the route from the response and decode them using the Polyline class. Then, we create a JavaScript script to draw the path on the map using the Google Maps JavaScript API. Finally, we add the script and the map to the HTML page.
In conclusion, drawing a path on a map using the Google Maps Direction API is a straightforward process that can be easily integrated into a PHP application. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can get the directions between two locations and draw the path on the map in a matter of minutes.