Headway: Self-Hostable OpenStreetMap Maps Stack

Headway: Self-Hostable OpenStreetMap Maps Stack

Summary

Headway is an open-source, self-hostable maps stack powered by OpenStreetMap, allowing users to easily deploy their own fully functional map server. It includes a frontend, basemap, geocoder, and routing engine, providing control over location data with just a few commands.

Repository Info

Updated on October 11, 2025
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Tags

mapsopenstreetmapgeocodingroutinggeospatialRustself-hostingopen-source

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Introduction

Headway is a powerful, self-hostable maps stack designed to put your location data back into your hands. Built upon OpenStreetMap, it provides a complete solution for deploying your own map server with minimal effort. This comprehensive stack includes a user-friendly frontend, a detailed basemap, a robust geocoder for searching points of interest and addresses, and an efficient routing engine. Headway currently supports showing maps, searching within an OpenStreetMap extract, and providing directions for driving, cycling, and walking.

Installation

Getting started with Headway involves a straightforward build process. The project's BUILD.md file provides detailed instructions for setting up your instance. Headway is confirmed to work on amd64 machines running Linux and macOS. For data file generation, a machine with at least 8GB of memory is recommended, potentially more for larger areas. Running an instance requires less, typically around 4GB for a medium-sized metropolitan area, along with 50GB-100GB of disk space during the build process.

Examples

Once set up, Headway offers a range of functionalities. You can visualize maps for over 200 predefined cities or use your own OpenStreetMap extract covering any area, from a small neighborhood to the entire planet. The integrated geocoder allows for precise searching of points of interest and addresses. Furthermore, the routing engine provides accurate directions between any two locations within your chosen map extract, supporting various modes of transport including driving, cycling, and walking.

Why Use Headway

Choosing Headway empowers you with complete control over your mapping infrastructure. It eliminates reliance on third-party services, ensuring data privacy and customization flexibility. Its "maps stack in a box" approach simplifies deployment, making it accessible even for those without extensive geospatial expertise. Whether you need a local map server for a specific region or a global solution, Headway provides a robust, open-source foundation for all your mapping needs.

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