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The Google Maps Challenge — Longest Google Maps Driving Routes

Take a road trip to clear your mind. Take in a few sights and bring home a spoon or other collector's item.

According to Google Maps, how far could you go?

And the most pressing question: can you reach the sorrow at the world's end? Yes you can.

1 · The challenges

Each of the challenges below involves finding points A and B that yield the longest driving route in Google Maps. Each challenge has its own parameters, but certain rules apply to each challenge.

  • the route A→B must be generated by the Google Maps algorithm—it cannot be manually adjusted
  • the shorter of A→B and B→A must be used
  • when multiple routes are available, the shortest must be used
  • avoid highways and avoid tolls options must be off, except for the 3-point route challenge
  • the "no ferry" land route may include a ferry to cross a river or any ferry shorter than 10 km
  • the 3-point route cannot double back along the same path at any point on the route
  • the route must be generated by typing in the waypoints, not by dragging them

Updates to Google Maps are frequent and unannounced — most of the routes are now historical artefacts. These will be marked as defunct routes.

This topic has been previously discussed on xkcd forums.

2 · Current records

Entries updated 8 Sep 2022. The link to the 3-point route does not work for me — you'll need to enter the waypoints manually.

1
2,121 km
Mundabullangana, Western Australia 6721, Australia
arrow_downward
Katherine Funeral Services, 31 Katherine Terrace, Katherine NT 0850, Australia
2
15,141 km
Sagres, 8650-360, Portugal
arrow_downward
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
3
22,984 km
Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa
arrow_downward
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
4
39,679 km
Vozhgorskaya Hospital, Vozhgora, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Russia, 164699
arrow_downward
Kota Pozzie, R61, Kayamnandi, South Africa
arrow_downward
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941

3 · updates to Google Maps

3.1 · Old routes unavailabile

As Google Maps updates the routing network, some of the old routes are no longer available, or significantly shorter. This maps challenge page may therefore be out of date.

Don't be surprised if links to old routes show a significantly different (shorter) distance (old and new distance will be shown), or point to a route that no longer exists (noted as defunct route).

3.2 · 30,000 km limit broken — again and again

historical Thanks to a route by Dean Sych, the 30,000 km limit has been broken again. And how! By over 3,600 km. Thanks Dean!

historicalPreviously, because of new routes through central Africa, route distances dropped by about 6,000 km. Whereas before routing avoided Congo and Algeria, they now go right through them. This made a lot of the 30,000+ km routes much shorter.

historical The longest route used to be 33,540 km from Quoin Point, South Africa to a dirt road in Indonesia. It starts with "Head northeast toward R317." and ends with "Turn left". After Malaysia, it's mostly ferries. Unfortunately, it's gone. Also, routing in Africa is now more optimized, shortening all the trips from south Africa.

historical (Paren' no longer available as a destination) | The 30,000 km limit has been broken by a route from Paren' to Pearly Beach. This was furthered by discovering the bizarrely remote Chimchememel', Russia (from Chimchememel' to Danger Point).

historical (Uelen still not accessible) | The next milestone for a route with ferries is 32,000 km. Unless you have the money to build a road to Uelen, this new limit is a significant challenge. Interested individuals should start digging immediately.

historical Many of the interesting past routes are now gone—the world is getting boring. This fun 191 hour drive from Portugal to Malaysia, shown below, is no longer available. Too bad. Stop off in Turkey to go to the bathroom. Pick up a few aluminum centrifuge tubes from Iran, too. That sounds like fun.

4 · Change for the worse

The details of the routing algorithm is the epitome of Rumsfeld's unknown unknown. It used to be that Portugal to Malaysia was a very doable and relaxing 8 day drive at 15,787 km. And you managed to avoid China.

from
Lisbon, Portugal
15,787
km
to
Pahang, Malaysia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
An old Lisbon to Pahang route. from: Lisbon, Portugal to: Pahang, Malaysia (15,787 km). This route is defunct.

Later, the route included China but excludes Iran. Apparently, we're no longer on driving terms with Iran. If you want to go from Lisbon to Singapore, you no longer need your Iran for Dummies book.

Nevertheless, the updated routing was longer and burned more gas. Prius C drivers with advanced road endurance skills need apply. You know who you are.

from
Lisbon, Portugal
17,482
km
to
Pahang, Malaysia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Continual changes to routing change route lengths. Now, Lisbon to Pahang is longer. from: Lisbon, Portugal to: Pahang, Malaysia (17,482 km). This route is defunct.

5 · Novelties, notions, blind spots

If you play with routes in Google Maps you'll quickly notice that some parts of the world do not appear to be connected to the smarts of the routing algorithm. For example, you cannot drive from Bejing to New Delhi (As of 31 Aug 2015 this is no longer true. A 5,559 km route exists). These holes in the driving fabric pose a challenge in finding long routes.

5.1 · No more kayak routes

historical Google's subtle humour can be found everywhere (though apparently not anymore, since kayaking has been removed from maps and replaced by decidedly un-funny flight routes), such as in step 9 of this Seattle to Hawaii route, which states "Kayak across the Pacific Ocean — 4,436 km". If you have endurance training, you might wish to continue kayaking to Tokyo, for another 6,243 km. For the purpose of this challenge, kayaking is not allowed.

These examples amply demonstrate that the internet was created by people with humor and is used largely by people without it. I say this because the kayak option has been removed. Doubtlessly because someone tried it, got hurt and the litigation lawyers got involved. It's always been the case that the 1% ruins it for the 99% of us.

5.2 · Going to South Africa?

South Africa's Quoin Point is (or was, depending on the current routing) a common starting point for many of the routes. I'll have to visit this place next time I'm in South Africa and perhaps start driving north.

Some time ago, I recieved a note from Charlie Kelly who wrote to thank me for inspiring him to put together a list of what to do in South Africa. There's also Jenn's list of 100 Things to do in South Africa—she won't be upset if you just do 2 or 3.

5.3 · Darién Gap

No routes from North to South America exist because of this boggy marsh.

5.4 · Other Google data munging and visualizations

If you are interested in visualization and information, explore my global visualization of Google searches by language and find out where in the US people are searching in Chinese.

Discover what the world is asking in my World's Most Popular Questions.

For the morbidly curious, of interest might be all the really stupid questions people ask Google.

5.5 · Mobile users

Google Maps routes linked to from this page do not appear to work on iPhone's Safari browser (I have not tested iPad or iPod). A "driving direction not found" error appears. Rest assured, these routes do exist, and can be viewed on a browser on a PC or Mac. Weird.

The routes below are the current answers to the challenge. Do you have a better (longer!) route? Let me know.

6 · Starting points

Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Popular starting point for many routes is Quoin Point in South Africa. (view route)
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Popular starting point for many routes is Quoin Point in South Africa. (view route)

7 · Terminus station

Talon is at the end of R481, which goes from Magadan to Talon. This road forks off the P-504 which runs for about 2,000 km from Manday to Magadan.

Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
All roads lead to Talon near Magadan in Russia. Good luck. (view route)
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
All roads lead to Talon near Magadan in Russia. Good luck. (view route)

8 · Challenge 1 — Longest leg

8.1 · Challenge 1 — current record 2,121 km

Thanks to James Robertson for finding this exhausting 2,121 km single leg trip. It's a route along Australia's National Highway between Kathernine Hot Springs (or alterinatively Katherine Funeral Services and (2,121 km later) a fork in the road that splits into the NW Coastal Highway.

I'm sad to see that the route no longer includes Magadan, known as the sorrow at the world's end, which figured prominently as a destination in many of the routes.

On the upside, this route is so long that "Your destination is in a different time zone". Depending on which way you drive, this might save you an hour.

from
Mundabullangana, Western Australia 6721, Australia
2,121
km
to
Katherine Funeral Services, 31 Katherine Terrace, Katherine NT 0850, Australia
22:08
hr:min
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.6 | Longest land single leg route entry (v6) from: Mundabullangana, Western Australia 6721, Australia to: Katherine Funeral Services, 31 Katherine Terrace, Katherine NT 0850, Australia (2,121 km, 22:08 hr:min). (view route)

historical What happens when you get to the end of the route? You get a much deserved rest stop. Hilarious Aussie humor at its best. As of 7 Sep 2022,

Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Once you've finished your 2,121 km ride, you get a rest. (go to location)
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
NO MORE REST | As of 7 Sep 2022, this fork in the road is now a more complex interchange. Importantly, the rest stop has been removed because it seems like you no longer need to take a rest after driving for 22 hours. (go to location)

8.1.1 · Challenge 1 — slight left, oops

The route now includes "slight left" as a step 1,440 km into the trip. While this technically breaks the longest leg condition, if you look closely, this is actually an incorrect cue. The road continues to the right and a slight left takes you into a construction zone where the bridge isn't complete (at the time the photo was taken). Make sure you bring a bin to Desmond's Parking Bay — and leave it there.

Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
DESMOND'S PARKING BAY | Not even a bin! Bah! (view location)

8.2 · Challenge 1 version history

from
Keskil, Sakha Republic, Russia, 678728
1,486
km
to
Magadan, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685007
26
hr
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.5 | Longest land single leg route entry (v5) (formerly 1,601 km) from: Keskil, Sakha Republic, Russia, 678728 to: Magadan, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685007 (1,486 km, 26 hr). (view route)
from
BC Resident Hunting, Mile 462, Alaska Hwy, Muncho Lake, BC V0C 1Z0
1,557
km
to
816-818 BC-97, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4T6
17:08
hr:min
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.4 | Longest land single leg route entry (v4) (submitted by David Jackson) from: BC Resident Hunting, Mile 462, Alaska Hwy, Muncho Lake, BC V0C 1Z0 to: 816-818 BC-97, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4T6 (1,557 km, 17:08 hr:min). (view route)
from
Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0
1,533
km
to
Farmington, British Columbia V0C 1N0
16:50
hr:min
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.3 | Longest land single leg route entry (v3) (submitted by David Jackson) from: Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0 to: Farmington, British Columbia V0C 1N0 (1,533 km, 16:50 hr:min). (view route)
from
Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0
1,501
km
to
South Taylor, Taylor, BC V0C 2K0
16:30
hr:min
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.2 | Longest land single leg route entry (v2) from: Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0 to: South Taylor, Taylor, BC V0C 2K0 (1,501 km, 16:30 hr:min). (view route)
from
Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0
1,475
km
to
Charlie Lake, British Columbia V0C 1H0
16:10
hr:min
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.1 | Longest land single leg route entry (v1) from: Haines Junction, Yukon Y0B 1L0 to: Charlie Lake, British Columbia V0C 1H0 (1,475 km, 16:10 hr:min). (view route)

9 · Challenge 2 — Longest land route

9.1 · Challenge 1 — current record 15,141 km

The longest Google Maps route that uses no ferries (or has a ferry that is < 10km) takes us from Sagres in Portugal to Talon in Russia. This route is so long that it goes beyond Magadan, affectionately known to be the sorrow at world's end. Thanks to Pieter Vandromme for submitting this route.

from
Sagres, 8650-360, Portugal
15,141
km
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
191
hr
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.7 | Longest land route. Submitted by Pieter Vandromme. from: Sagres, 8650-360, Portugal to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (15,141 km, 191 hr). (view route)

9.2 · Challenge 2 version history

from
Sagres, Portugal
14,096
km
to
Khasan, Primorsky Krai, Russia, 692730
14,118
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.6 | Longest land route. This is one of the routes that became longer after Google Map updates. from: Sagres, Portugal to: Khasan, Primorsky Krai, Russia, 692730 (14,096 km, 14,118 km now). (view route)
from
Sagres, Portugal
16,280
km
to
Tanjung Pengelih, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.5 | Longest land route with ferries. Thanks to Jørgen Adam Holen for pointing out a better destination in Malaysia. from: Sagres, Portugal to: Tanjung Pengelih, 81600 Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia (16,280 km). This route is defunct.
from
Duyker Eiland, St Helena Bay, South Africa
15,594
km
to
Sidi Bettache, Morocco
11,062
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.4 | Longest land route. Submitted by David Jackson via xkcd. from: Duyker Eiland, St Helena Bay, South Africa to: Sidi Bettache, Morocco (15,594 km, 11,062 km now). (view route)
from
Pearly Beach, 7220, South Africa
18,260
km
to
Sidi Bettache, Morocco
11,324
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.3 | Longest land route. Based on suggestion by ElWanderer via xkcd forum. from: Pearly Beach, 7220, South Africa to: Sidi Bettache, Morocco (18,260 km, 11,324 km now). (view route)
from
Gibraltar
15,996
km
to
Paren', Russia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.2 | Longest land route. Submitted by ElWanderer via xkcd forum. from: Gibraltar to: Paren', Russia (15,996 km). This route is defunct.
from
Gibraltar
14,876
km
to
Magadan, Magadan Oblast, Russia
188
hr
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.1 | Longest land route from: Gibraltar to: Magadan, Magadan Oblast, Russia (14,876 km, 188 hr). (view route)

10 · Challenge 3 — Longest land route with ferries

The longest Google Maps A–B route that uses ferries. The ferry distance cannot be more than 25% of the entire trip.

This is the mother of all routes — from one furthest place to another furthest place. The Southern Tip of Africa to Talon.

Talon is an interesting place. It is a “rural locality” with population 13 (as of 2016). Wikipedia indicates that “There is 1 street”. Yup, the one we're taking! It is also beyond the sorrow at world's end, which is Magadan.

When I explore this route, sometimes Google Maps returns an error that the route cannot be calculated and the route link does not work. You may need to enter the start and destination manually.

from
Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa
22,984
km
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
347
hr
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.12 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (22,984 km, 347 hr). (view route)

10.1 · Challenge 3 version history

from
Southern Tip of Africa, South Africa
22,967
km
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
347
hr
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.11 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Southern Tip of Africa, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (22,967 km, 347 hr). (view route)
from
Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa
26,340
km
to
Р481, Russia
22,904
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.10 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa to: Р481, Russia (26,340 km, 22,904 km now). (view route)
from
Serai, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia
33,612
km
to
Quoin Point (BBD), R317, South Africa
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.9 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Serai, Sulawesi Utara, Indonesia to: Quoin Point (BBD), R317, South Africa (33,612 km, 529 hr). This route is defunct.
from
Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa
27,224
km
to
Ola, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685910
22,854
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.8 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa to: Ola, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685910 (27,224 km, 22,854 km now). (view route)
from
Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa
33,540
km
to
Unknown Road, Indonesia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.7 | Longest land route with ferries. Submitted by Earl Higgins. from: Quoin Point (BDD), R317, South Africa to: Unknown Road, Indonesia (33,540 km). This route is defunct.
from
Unknown Road, Indonesia
32,433
km
to
Groot Paternoster Reserve, South Africa
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.6 | Longest land route with ferries. Submitted by Earl Higgins and Sue DoNym via xkcd. from: Unknown Road, Indonesia to: Groot Paternoster Reserve, South Africa (32,433 km). This route is defunct.
from
Bilibinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
31,766
km
to
Duyker Eiland, St Helena Bay, South Africa
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.5 | Longest land route with ferries. Submitted by David Jackson via xkcd. from: Bilibinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia to: Duyker Eiland, St Helena Bay, South Africa (31,766 km). This route is defunct.
from
Bilibinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
31,140
km
to
Pearly Beach, South Africa
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.4 | Longest land route with ferries. Submitted by nerd-7hi+42e via xkcd. from: Bilibinsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia to: Pearly Beach, South Africa (31,140 km). This route is defunct.
from
Pearly Beach, South Africa
30,433
km
to
Paren', Russia
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.3 | Longest land route with ferries. Submitted by ElWanderer via xkcd. from: Pearly Beach, South Africa to: Paren', Russia (30,433 km). This route is defunct.
from
Pearly Beach, South Africa
29,831
km
to
Magadan, Russia
22,852
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.2 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Pearly Beach, South Africa to: Magadan, Russia (29,831 km, 22,852 km now). (view route)
from
Bredasdorp, 7280, South Africa
29,765
km
to
Magadan, Russia
22,786
km now
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.1 | Longest land route with ferries. from: Bredasdorp, 7280, South Africa to: Magadan, Russia (29,765 km, 22,786 km now). (view route)

11 · Challenge 4 — Longest 3-point land route

The 3-point route must be constructed by typing in the waypoints, not dragging them. No part of the route can double back on itself.

Thanks to Nico Tsaousis for suggesting the format of this challenge. Nico came up with the first entry (see v1 route below), a 31,377 km (at the time) route from an Unnamed Road in South Africa to Magadan via Norway.

The current longest route in this category is a 39,679 km trip from a hospital in Arkhangelskaya Oblast via Kota Pozzi in South Africa to Talon in Russia.

Google's shortcut link to a 3-point route does not seem to work — a blank page is returned. You'll need to enter the addresses manually.

from
Vozhgorskaya Hospital, Vozhgora, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Russia, 164699
39,679
km
via
Kota Pozzie, R61, Kayamnandi, South Africa
569
hr
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.5 | Longest 3-point route. from: Vozhgorskaya Hospital, Vozhgora, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Russia, 164699 via: Kota Pozzie, R61, Kayamnandi, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (39,679 km, 569 hr). (view route)
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
The route doesn't back on itself because of routing around Lesotho. Selecting destinations too far south or north of Kota Pozzi will create a route that backs on itself to one side of Lesotho and break the rules of this challenge.

11.1 · Challenge 4 version history

from
Vozhgorskaya Hospital, Vozhgora, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Russia, 164699
39,670
km
via
Izingolweni, 4260, South Africa
569
hr
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.4 | Longest 3-point route. from: Vozhgorskaya Hospital, Vozhgora, Arkhangelskaya oblast', Russia, 164699 via: Izingolweni, 4260, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (39,670 km, 569 hr). (view route)
from
Mou Shkola P. Kharp, Severnyy Kvartal, 2, Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia, 629405
48,504
km
via
Crowie St, West End, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
route defunct
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.3 | Longest 3-point route. from: Mou Shkola P. Kharp, Severnyy Kvartal, 2, Kharp, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia, 629405 via: Crowie St, West End, Kimberley, 8301, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (48,504 km). This route is defunct.
from
Shchukozero, Murmansk Oblast, Russia
46,176
km
via
Izingolweni, South Africa
39,066
km now
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.2 | Longest 3-point route. from: Shchukozero, Murmansk Oblast, Russia via: Izingolweni, South Africa to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (46,176 km, 39,066 km now). (view route)
from
Mpahlane, South Africa
31,377
km
via
Moen, 9321, Norway
28,697
km now
to
Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941
Google Maps Challenge - Longest Driving Routes / Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
ver.1 | Longest 3-point route. from: Mpahlane, South Africa via: Moen, 9321, Norway to: Talon, Magadan Oblast, Russia, 685941 (31,377 km, 28,697 km now). (view route)
news + thoughts

Propensity score matching

Mon 16-09-2024

I don’t have good luck in the match points. —Rafael Nadal, Spanish tennis player

In many experimental designs, we need to keep in mind the possibility of confounding variables, which may give rise to bias in the estimate of the treatment effect.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Nature Methods Points of Significance column: Propensity score matching. (read)

If the control and experimental groups aren't matched (or, roughly, similar enough), this bias can arise.

Sometimes this can be dealt with by randomizing, which on average can balance this effect out. When randomization is not possible, propensity score matching is an excellent strategy to match control and experimental groups.

Kurz, C.F., Krzywinski, M. & Altman, N. (2024) Points of significance: Propensity score matching. Nat. Methods 21:1770–1772.

Nasa to send our human genome discs to the Moon

Sat 23-03-2024

We'd like to say a ‘cosmic hello’: mathematics, culture, palaeontology, art and science, and ... human genomes.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
SANCTUARY PROJECT | A cosmic hello of art, science, and genomes. (details)
Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
SANCTUARY PROJECT | Benoit Faiveley, founder of the Sanctuary project gives the Sanctuary disc a visual check at CEA LeQ Grenoble (image: Vincent Thomas). (details)
Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
SANCTUARY PROJECT | Sanctuary team examines the Life disc at INRIA Paris Saclay (image: Benedict Redgrove) (details)

Comparing classifier performance with baselines

Fri 22-03-2024

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. —George Orwell

This month, we will illustrate the importance of establishing a baseline performance level.

Baselines are typically generated independently for each dataset using very simple models. Their role is to set the minimum level of acceptable performance and help with comparing relative improvements in performance of other models.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Nature Methods Points of Significance column: Comparing classifier performance with baselines. (read)

Unfortunately, baselines are often overlooked and, in the presence of a class imbalance, must be established with care.

Megahed, F.M, Chen, Y-J., Jones-Farmer, A., Rigdon, S.E., Krzywinski, M. & Altman, N. (2024) Points of significance: Comparing classifier performance with baselines. Nat. Methods 21:546–548.

Happy 2024 π Day—
sunflowers ho!

Sat 09-03-2024

Celebrate π Day (March 14th) and dig into the digit garden. Let's grow something.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
2024 π DAY | A garden of 1,000 digits of π. (details)

How Analyzing Cosmic Nothing Might Explain Everything

Thu 18-01-2024

Huge empty areas of the universe called voids could help solve the greatest mysteries in the cosmos.

My graphic accompanying How Analyzing Cosmic Nothing Might Explain Everything in the January 2024 issue of Scientific American depicts the entire Universe in a two-page spread — full of nothing.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
How Analyzing Cosmic Nothing Might Explain Everything. Text by Michael Lemonick (editor), art direction by Jen Christiansen (Senior Graphics Editor), source: SDSS

The graphic uses the latest data from SDSS 12 and is an update to my Superclusters and Voids poster.

Michael Lemonick (editor) explains on the graphic:

“Regions of relatively empty space called cosmic voids are everywhere in the universe, and scientists believe studying their size, shape and spread across the cosmos could help them understand dark matter, dark energy and other big mysteries.

To use voids in this way, astronomers must map these regions in detail—a project that is just beginning.

Shown here are voids discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), along with a selection of 16 previously named voids. Scientists expect voids to be evenly distributed throughout space—the lack of voids in some regions on the globe simply reflects SDSS’s sky coverage.”

voids

Sofia Contarini, Alice Pisani, Nico Hamaus, Federico Marulli Lauro Moscardini & Marco Baldi (2023) Cosmological Constraints from the BOSS DR12 Void Size Function Astrophysical Journal 953:46.

Nico Hamaus, Alice Pisani, Jin-Ah Choi, Guilhem Lavaux, Benjamin D. Wandelt & Jochen Weller (2020) Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 2020:023.

Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 12

constellation figures

Alan MacRobert (Sky & Telescope), Paulina Rowicka/Martin Krzywinski (revisions & Microscopium)

stars

Hoffleit & Warren Jr. (1991) The Bright Star Catalog, 5th Revised Edition (Preliminary Version).

cosmology

H0 = 67.4 km/(Mpc·s), Ωm = 0.315, Ωv = 0.685. Planck collaboration Planck 2018 results. VI. Cosmological parameters (2018).

Error in predictor variables

Tue 02-01-2024

It is the mark of an educated mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision that the nature of the subject admits and not to seek exactness where only an approximation is possible. —Aristotle

In regression, the predictors are (typically) assumed to have known values that are measured without error.

Practically, however, predictors are often measured with error. This has a profound (but predictable) effect on the estimates of relationships among variables – the so-called “error in variables” problem.

Martin Krzywinski @MKrzywinski mkweb.bcgsc.ca
Nature Methods Points of Significance column: Error in predictor variables. (read)

Error in measuring the predictors is often ignored. In this column, we discuss when ignoring this error is harmless and when it can lead to large bias that can leads us to miss important effects.

Altman, N. & Krzywinski, M. (2024) Points of significance: Error in predictor variables. Nat. Methods 21:4–6.

Background reading

Altman, N. & Krzywinski, M. (2015) Points of significance: Simple linear regression. Nat. Methods 12:999–1000.

Lever, J., Krzywinski, M. & Altman, N. (2016) Points of significance: Logistic regression. Nat. Methods 13:541–542 (2016).

Das, K., Krzywinski, M. & Altman, N. (2019) Points of significance: Quantile regression. Nat. Methods 16:451–452.

Martin Krzywinski | contact | Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences CentreBC Cancer Research CenterBC CancerPHSA
Google whack “vicissitudinal corporealization”
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