How to Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points in Python

1. Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the Haversine Formula in Python
2. Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the mpu Library in Python
3. Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the geopy Library in Python
4. Conclusion

Calculating the distance between two GPS points is a geographical and mathematical exercise that we can operate inside the Python framework. Let us now look at how we can perform this operation with Python.

Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the Haversine Formula in Python

The haversine formula is a simplified way to calculate the distance between two GPS points with Python, but its calculation is based on the assumption that the Earth is a perfect sphere. However, the Earth isn’t a perfect sphere.

This means that the result we’ll obtain would not be perfectly accurate; there’s a slight margin of error due to the assumption. The haversine formula calculates the distance between two GPS points by calculating the distance between two pairs of longitude and latitude.

Create a Python and input these codes inside. Name the file new.py as seen below:

Code Snippet- new.py:

from math import radians, cos, sin, asin, sqrt


def haversine(lat1, lon1, lat2, lon2):

    R = 3959.87433

    dLat = radians(lat2 - lat1)
    dLon = radians(lon2 - lon1)
    lat1 = radians(lat1)
    lat2 = radians(lat2)

    a = sin(dLat / 2) ** 2 + cos(lat1) * cos(lat2) * sin(dLon / 2) ** 2
    c = 2 * asin(sqrt(a))

    return R * c


lon1 = -103.548851
lat1 = 32.0004311
lon2 = -103.6041946
lat2 = 33.374939

print(haversine(lat1, lon1, lat2, lon2))

Output:

When we click on Run, we should see this result inside the terminal.

Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the mpu Library in Python

The mpu is derived from Martins Python Utilities, and it is a Python library that can be used to perform various functions without needing any other dependencies.

First, we install mpu by typing the following:

pip install mpu

Then, we create a new Python file, name it new.py, and type in the codes below:

Code Snippet- new.py:

import mpu

lat1 = 32.0004311
lon1 = -103.548851

lat2 = 33.374939
lon2 = -103.6041946

dist = mpu.haversine_distance((lat1, lon1), (lat2, lon2))
print(dist)

Wait a few moments, and you should view the distance calculated inside the terminal.

Output:

Calculate the Distance Between Two GPS Points Using the geopy Library in Python

geopy for Python is a library specifically designed for calculating distances between countries, states, cities, etc. As we will observe in the following example, we can calculate the distances using kilometers, miles, etc.

Inside the terminal, type the following to install the geopy library:

pip install geopy

Create a new file, name it new.py, and type in these codes.

from geopy.distance import geodesic

origin = (30.172705, 31.526725)

dist = (30.288281, 31.732326)

print(geodesic(origin, dist).kilometers)

Output:

If you want the result displayed in miles, change kilometers in the last bit of code to miles and run the code.

Conclusion

Calculating the distance between two specific points on Earth couldn’t be any easier. Even though the haversine formula can be off by about 0.5%, the result is still close and usable for various projects.