It is easiest to create Garmin routes in either BaseCamp or Mapsource, straight off the bat, cutting out the third party software like, Google maps. But, if you must use something else, I read that the following software works to do conversions:
https://mapstogpx.com/
This too, apparently:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
Tip one: Do check the routes you create BEFORE you upload them to your GPS device and then check them AGAIN on your GPS device BEFORE you find yourself in France or wherever with a load of garbage and (maybe) a bunch of followers on your ‘Trip invitation’. They will not not be happy campers. Trust me on that.
Tip two: Whenever possible, download the third party route as a ‘track’. Then either:
a. Convert the track to a route from within BaseCamp or Mapsource, not forgetting to check it, or...
b. Trace over the track in BaseCamp or Mapsource, creating a route that way, not forgetting to check it
Tip three: Do tracks from a third party always convert perfectly into routes? No. Why? If the third party’s track takes a direction along a road that does not feature on Garmin’s map, its software will be unable to route you along it. What it will do instead is route you exactly to its last known point on the track. Then it will take you exactly to its next known point on the track, choosing roads between the two points according to your preference settings. This could result in many miles being added to your route and / or some truly bizarre routing. There are ways around this but you’ll need to be familiar and proficient with BaseCamp or Mapsource, which I take it you are not. Always check (and check again) any routes you create.
You have probably now got the clear message to check whatever it is you do, BEFORE you set off.
Tip four: Instead of using Google maps and
if you are determined not to use BaseCamp or Mapsource, try using the MyRoute app instead. Why? I hear, though I haven’t tried it, that it’s very popular and that it will create routes that are transferable straight to Garmin, without going via BaseCamp or Mapsource.
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en
Here’s five videos about MyRoute app, which I have tried to lay out in a logical order. One is a general introduction, the second, how to create a route. The third and fourth about about installing the (apparently) important connector on a PC and / or a Mac. The fifth, about using the installer and lastly, how to send a route directly to your BMW Navigator VI device, using the connector.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1HmeF7lNMco" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sKBVSpQIfO8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwbXMiLf-Mw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fw3ntwilXfE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TztsNfSU5dE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7mWn2tjQL3Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The app’s makers have created lots of pretty good videos. Watch them here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeF4uRS9Ue9JSxJvtMbotIw/videos?disable_polymer=1
Play around in it. You can’t break it.
PS I am a big fan of BaseCamp and its earlier incarnation, Mapsource, pretty proficient at using them on a PC or Mac, despite being completely IT illiterate, so it really can’t be hard. That being said, having watched the demonstration videos, it does look pretty good. I’ll give it a go.... and try to break it!