How to Create Your First travel map animation in mult.dev

mult.dev is a web and mobile service that turns your travel routes into animated map videos for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok. Whether you're a travel blogger, content creator, or just want to share your trip, here's how to create your first travel route animation.

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What You Need Before You Start

Before you start, you'll need:

• Your travel route idea (a weekend trip, road trip, or world tour)

• A list of locations or a GPS file (GPX, KML, or GeoJSON)

• A clear goal: which social media format you're targeting (vertical for Reels/Shorts or horizontal for YouTube)

An account on mult.dev (free sign-up via email, Google, Apple, or GitHub)

The free version gives you basic features to start, while Pro unlocks advanced transport types, real roads via Google Directions API, custom emojis, and up to 150 locations per route. Check the pricing page to compare Free and Pro features in detail.

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Step 1: Open mult.dev on Web or Mobile

You can use mult.dev via:

• Web app: Visit mult.dev in any browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)

• iOS app: Download from the App Store

• Android app: Download from Google Play

All platforms sync your projects, so you can start on desktop and continue editing on your phone.

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Step 2: Create a New Route Video

Once you open mult.dev, click the Create Video button to launch the route editor. You'll see an interactive world map where you can build your animated travel route.

At this stage, you have three options to begin:

• Add locations manually by typing city names, addresses, or GPS coordinates

• Choose a ready-made route template if you want inspiration (popular trips, world tours, etc.)

• Upload a GPS file (GPX, KML, or GeoJSON) - available in Pro for users who tracked their journey with apps like Strava, Google Maps Timeline, or Komoot

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Step 3: Sign In to Save and Customize

To unlock editing features and save your project, you'll need to sign in. mult.dev offers multiple login methods for convenience:

• Email (one-time login code sent to your inbox)

• Google

• Apple

• GitHub

Signing in ensures your videos are saved to your account and accessible across devices.

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Step 4: Build and Customize Your Route

Time to build your route. In the editor, you can:

• Add and arrange locations:

• Click on the map or type location names to add stops

• Drag and reorder points to adjust your route sequence

• Set how long the animation lingers on each location

Choose transport type between locations:

Free version includes:

• Airplane ✈️

• Simple line

• Dot animation

Pro version unlocks:

• Car 🚗

• Train 🚂

• Boat ⛵

• Motorcycle 🏍️

• Walking 🚶

• Bicycle 🚴

• Tuk-tuk, camper, and more

Customize visual elements:

• Add a route title at the top of your video

• Toggle country flags next to location names

• Show or hide location labels

Pro-exclusive features:

• Add emojis and stickers to mark special moments (food, hotels, viewpoints)

• Upload custom flags for unique destinations

• Support up to 150 locations (vs. 10 in free)

• Enable real roads via Google Directions API for realistic driving/walking routes instead of straight lines

• Remove the mult.dev logo for a clean, branded look

For more customization options, see how to customize your video.

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Step 5: Choose Style, Background, and Music

Under the Options tab, you can adjust how your video looks and sounds:

Visual settings:

• Background style: Choose solid colors, gradients, or map backgrounds

• Line style and thickness: Adjust how the route path appears

• Label behavior: Control when and how location names appear during animation

• Animation zoom and camera movement: Set whether the camera follows the route closely or shows a wider view

• FPS (frames per second): Higher FPS creates smoother motion

Audio settings:

• Browse dozens of music tracks across genres: ambient, synthwave, folk, pop, electronic, cinematic, and more

• Each track is pre-cleared for use in your videos, so you don't need to worry about copyright on social media

Language and format:

• Adjust interface language

• Choose aspect ratio (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for Reels/Shorts/TikTok, or 1:1 square)

• The right music can make a big difference. Upbeat tracks work well for fast-paced trips, while ambient sounds fit slower routes better.

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Step 6. Click "Generate" and Export Your Video

When you're happy with your route and settings, click Generate.

mult.dev will automatically render your travel route animation. Rendering typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on route complexity and video length.

Once generation is complete, you can:

• Download the video as an MP4 file to your device

• Share a direct link to view online (useful for embedding in websites or presentations)

• Post directly to social media: Export vertical videos (9:16) for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts; horizontal (16:9) for standard YouTube uploads

Your video is now ready to publish, embed in a blog post, include in a presentation, or share with friends and followers. For more details on supported formats and technical specs, check out the article on video file formats.

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Tips to Get More Views With mult.dev Videos

Based on feedback from creators who use mult.dev regularly, here's what works best to get more views:

1. Keep it short and dynamic: Videos under 60 seconds perform better on Reels and TikTok. Focus on 5-10 key locations instead of listing every stop.

2. Use vertical format for social media: 9:16 aspect ratio is optimized for mobile viewing and gets more screen real estate on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

3. Add context with captions: Pair your video with a strong caption explaining the trip ("7 countries in 14 days" or "My first solo road trip across Europe").

4. Choose music that matches the vibe: Fast-paced synthwave or electronic tracks work for quick trips; ambient or folk suits slow travel and nature routes.

5. Use a good thumbnail: If posting to YouTube, use a frame showing your full route with an eye-catching title overlay.

6. Post at peak times: Share when your audience is most active (evenings and weekends tend to work best for travel content).

Animated map videos tend to get more views because they're easy to follow and people want to see the full route.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mult.dev videos commercially?

Yes. Videos you create with mult.dev are yours and can be used for any purpose - personal projects, social media, client presentations, or commercial campaigns. In the free version, videos include the mult.dev logo. With Pro, you can remove the logo for a fully branded, watermark-free result.

What's the difference between Free and Pro?

Free includes up to 10 locations, 5 videos, basic transport types (airplane, line, dot), 768p resolution, and 30 FPS - with the mult.dev logo. Pro unlocks up to 100 locations, 25-100 videos (depending on package), all transport types (car, train, boat, bike, walking, tuk-tuk, camper, motorcycle, and more), Full HD 1920p, 60 FPS, real roads via Google Directions API, GPX/KML/GeoJSON import, emojis, custom flags, up to 100 photos per route, and logo removal. See the full comparison on the pricing page.

Do I need music rights?

No. All music tracks available in mult.dev are pre-cleared for use in your videos, including social media posts. You don't need to worry about copyright claims on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or other platforms.

Can I edit a video after generating it?

Yes. Go to the menu icon (top right), select My Videos, choose your video, and edit any aspect - locations, transport, style, music, or settings. Click Generate again to create an updated version.

How long does it take to create a video?

Building a route takes 5-15 minutes depending on how many locations you add and how much you customize. Rendering the final video typically takes 1-3 minutes for simple routes, but can take up to 5 minutes for complex videos with many locations, high resolution (1920p), 60 FPS, or photos.

Can I upload my own GPS track from Strava, Komoot, or Google Maps?

Yes, but only with a Pro plan. mult.dev supports GPX, KML, and GeoJSON file formats. Simply click the GPX button in the route editor and upload your file.

How many videos can I create?

The free version allows up to 5 videos. Pro packages offer 5, 25, or 100 videos depending on the plan you choose. Each Pro package is valid for 3 years from the date of purchase (one-time payment, not a subscription).

What video formats and aspect ratios are supported?

mult.dev exports videos as MP4 files. You can choose from multiple aspect ratios: 16:9 (YouTube, presentations), 9:16 (Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts), and 1:1 (square for Instagram feed). For more details, see the article on video file formats.

Can I add photos to my route?

Yes. Activate the Photos toggle at the top of the route section, click the plus icon next to each location, and add 1-4 photos per stop. The free version allows up to 10 photos per route, while Pro supports up to 100 photos.

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If you're just starting out, you'll also find these articles useful:

– What Types of Routes Does mult.dev Support?

– How to Use GPS Tracking Data from Your Device in mult.dev