Migrate from Directions API or Distance Matrix API

This guide describes how to migrate apps that use either Directions API or Distance Matrix API to using the Routes API. For details on the Routes API, see product overview.

Update the REST API endpoints

Update your code to use the new Routes API endpoints

From Directions API

Directions API	`https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/outputFormat?parameters`
Routes API	`https://routes.googleapis.com/directions/v2:computeRoutes`

From Distance Matrix API

Distance Matrix API	`https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/distancematrix/outputFormat?parameters`
Routes API	`https://routes.googleapis.com/distanceMatrix/v2:computeRouteMatrix`

Convert URL parameters to use an HTTPS request body

With Directions API and Distance Matrix API, you pass configuration properties as URL parameters to an HTTP GET request. For example, for the Directions API:

https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/outputFormat?parameters

With the Routes API, you pass parameters in a request body or in headers as part of an HTTP POST request. For examples, see:

Convert polyline-encoded waypoints to location waypoints

Specifying waypoints as encoded polylines is available in the Directions API to fit a large number of waypoints in the URL limit of 16384 characters. This feature is not necessary in the Routes API because waypoints can be transmitted in the REST or gRPC request body as latitude/longitude coordinates. For examples, see the HTTP Example in the Compute a route matrix document, or Define an intermediate waypoint in the Specify intermediate waypoints document.

Convert parameters

The following tables lists parameters in the Directions API and Distance Matrix API that have been renamed or modified, or parameters that are not supported in the GA release. Update your code if you are using any of these parameters.

Request parameter conversions

Directions or Distance matrix parameter	Routes API parameter	Notes
`alternatives`	`computeAlternativeRoutes`
`arrival_time`	`arrivalTime`	Available in `TRANSIT` mode only, and not at the same time as `departureTime`.
`avoid`	`routeModifiers`
`departure_time`	`departureTime`	Cannot be used at the same time as `arrivalTime`.
`language`	`languageCode`	Supported for Compute Routes only.
`mode`	`travelMode`	Added support for `TWO_WHEELER` and `TRANSIT`.
`region`	`regionCode`
`traffic_model`	`trafficModel`	Learn more
`transit_mode`	`"travelMode": "TRANSIT"`	In the Directions API, in a transit route, each segment of a trip with the same travel mode (for example, Walk or Transit) is considered to be one step, and individual directions for that travel mode are in substeps. In contrast, In the Routes API, steps are consistently one navigation instruction across all types of travel. So each navigation instruction is a step. For multiple steps in one travel mode, the Routes API provides metadata that contains a summary of the steps for that travel mode, in `stepsOverview`. To request this metadata, use the `routes.legs.stepsOverview` field mask. Learn more.
`transit_routing_preference`	`transitRoutingPreference`	Learn more
`units`	`units`	Learn more
`waypoints`	`intermediates`	Removed support for encoded polylines.
`optimize=true` for waypoints	`"optimizeWaypointOrder": "true"`	Learn more

Response parameter conversions

Directions or Distance matrix parameter	Routes API parameter	Notes
`copyrights`		Not included in the response. You must include the following statement when displaying the results to your users: `Powered by Google, ©YEAR Google` For example: `Powered by Google, ©2022 Google`
`distance`	`distanceMeters`	Distance is only available in meters.
`duration_in_traffic`	`duration`	Removed in the Routes API, use `duration`.
`status`		Not available. Use the HTTP response codes for errors reported by the API. See Handle request errors for more information.
`geocoded_waypoints`	`geocoding_results`	Supported for Compute Routes only. Contains geocoding response info only for waypoints specified as addresses.
`bounds`	`viewport`
`legs.end_address`	Not available.
`legs.start_address`	Not available.
`overview_polyline`	polyline
`summary`	`description`
`waypoint_order`	`optimizedIntermediateWaypointIndex`