Google Maps Timeline Export to Mileage Log – Only at MileageWise

“Can I use Google Maps to make mileage logs for taxes?”

If the Location history option is activated in your Google account on your phone, Google Maps’ Timeline function displays the places you have visited and the routes you have taken based on your location history, you can also record the places you visit manually on the timeline.

This seems like a good solution if you have to keep a mileage log since you don’t have to worry about recalling (and forgetting) what places you visited or calculating the distances.

That is why we strongly suggest that you turn on Location History in your Google account, which automatically tracks every one of your trips.

If anything happens in the future, you’ll have your trips in Google Timeline. Then, it’ll only take a few simple steps to export Google Timeline from your account and feed it to MileageWise.

Notice

Google has recently relocated Timeline Location History data to local storage on mobile devices.
The previous method of downloading through Google Takeout has been inconsistent, with some users able to export their data while others cannot.
Our developer team's top priority is to facilitate the new mobile file format import by 15/02/2025
Our solutions for this transitional period allow you to save your tax deductions.

The good news is that if you have trips in Google Timeline, you can turn them into a completely IRS-compliant mileage log using MileageWise – the only company in the world that offers this solution! 🙂

This is the only way you can use Google Maps as a mileage tracker.

Where is Google Timeline?

You can find Google Timeline on the Google Maps app. When Location History is turned on, Timeline shows where you went and how you got there, like on foot, by bike, car, or public transportation.

How to find your trips

  1. Open the Google Maps app on your Android phone or tablet.
  2. Tap your profile picture or the first circle that says “Account“, then tap “Your Timeline
  3. Tap Today at the top to find another day or month. Swipe the calendar left or right and tap a day.

manage your location historyWhy isn’t Google Timeline itself enough for tracking mileage for taxes?

  • There’s no such thing as a dedicated Google Maps mileage tracker: in most cases, Google won’t make a difference between trips taken by car, bus, bike, or on foot.
  • If Google’s Location History function wasn’t turned on in previous periods, you will not be able to retrospectively backtrack and recreate your mileage log.
  • The places you visit might not be shown under the correct address = You’ll probably need to merge or separate trips, which again, means extra work.
  • Google cannot differentiate deductible trips from non-deductible ones, which means you have to decide yourself for each trip.

Required mileage log items are missing that you will need to replace later:

  • Identifying and naming your clients
  • Categorizing your trips as personal or business
  • Assigning a trip purpose to each trip 

Google Timeline

Drivers soon realize that Google Maps by itself is not enough. – One must have a program that is dedicated to mileage reporting for taxes.

More and more people contact us with the fact that their Google Timeline and Excel mileage logs involve too much extra touch-up work and a lot of hassle, so they are looking for a simpler solution.

 

Start importing with MileageWise

 

Google Maps Timeline Export to Mileage Log

If you’ve used Google Timeline to track mileage, there is an excellent solution with which Google Maps exports saved places – it can be extracted directly from your iOS or Android device.

Import the Exported JSON file into MileageWise

Choose the vehicle and month you would like to create a log for and import the JSON file to MileageWise via its Mobile Timeline Import section and your IRS-compliant mileage log is just a few clicks away. 🙂

Google Timeline Mobile Import

OR MileageWise’s Mileage Log Tax Preparation Service will help you create an IRS-Proof Mileage Log from your exported Google file

If you don’t have enough time for the manual import, you can also entrust MileageWise’s mileage log experts to fix your mileage log – it may include the complete preparation of your mileage log, from start to finish. 🙂

Either way, you can be sure that your Mileage Log is 100% IRS-compliant.

Is your Google Timeline missing?

No worries! If your data is lost, reconstruct your trips with MileageWise’s very own AI Wizard Mileage Log Generator!

With our AI-powered feature, you can recreate your past miles and fill in the gaps with ease while ensuring IRS compliance. Embrace the simplicity and accuracy of our solution and maximize your tax savings.

For the future: Why use MileageWise’s Mileage Tracker App instead of Google Timeline?

Well, to start off, MileageWise’s is the best mileage tracker app designed and optimized for everyday trip recording, we strongly recommend that you use Google Timeline for mileage logging only if you have no other way to backtrack your miles, not to mention if you’re in a received-an-audit-letter type of rush because the IRS did not accept your mileage log. Our app is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

3+1 ways to record your trips automatically

With the convenience of automatic mileage logging, you can create accurate and IRS-proof mileage logs with the MileageWise Web Dashboard and Mileage Tracker App, even if you log 1000+ trips/month!

Having a mileage tracker app saves you time, energy & money!

At the end of the month, all you have to do is enter the names of the recently visited and recorded clients, and the automatic categorization and assignment of trip purposes will be done for you.

You can add or modify your recorded trips on your computer as needed, and then print your IRS-Proof mileage log.

Our AI-powered trip recommendation gives you extra miles

With the help of the AI Wizard Mileage Log Generator, you can easily make up for your missing mileage logs!

Check out our tutorial video on how to create an IRS-proof mileage log from a Google Timeline file in a matter of minutes:

 

Try MileageWise for free for 14 days. No credit card required!

Automatic mileage tracker app

Google Play store