Route Planners: The Best 15 Routing Solutions for 2021

Whether you’re an independent contractor or a professional delivery company, you can’t afford to have inefficient routes in place to manage your daily deliveries. Not only are these routes difficult to manage, but they also cut into your profit margins.

In the delivery industry, daily route planning necessitates forethought and planning. Route planning can take hours if done manually. When the route plans you create are critical to your business process, you can’t afford to waste time creating ineffective route plans. Route planning, which is a critical task, can be delegated to an algorithm or route planner by dispatchers.

Let’s look at what route planning is and some of the tools that can assist you in planning your routes.

Table of Contents

• Routes and Route Planning: An Overview
• What’s the difference between route optimization and route planning?
• Who needs a Route Planner, and Why?
• 2021’s Top 15 Route Planners
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Final Thoughts

Routes and Route Planning: An Overview

Let’s define route planning before we look at the best route planners.

What is a route? – A route is a path or a course that leads from one point to another. It’s a route that people take to get from one place to another. It’s something we all do to get somewhere on a daily basis.

What is routing? – Routing is the process of determining the most cost-effective route to a set of predetermined stops that takes the least amount of time and effort. It is, in essence, a method for determining multiple methods or alternative approaches to a specific location.

What’s the difference between route optimization and route planning?

The process of determining the most efficient mode of transportation to reach a destination via multiple stops is known as route planning. Route planning is a technique for determining the most cost-effective route from one location to another.

It’s a little more difficult to optimize a route than it is to plan one. It’s not just a case of figuring out the shortest path or the shortest distance between two points. A variety of factors influence the amount of time it takes to travel from one location to another, and route optimization takes these into account.

The agility gained from adjusting to unexpected changes is the main difference between route planning and route optimization.

Who needs a Route Planner, and Why?

Route planner solutions can be beneficial to:

• Those who are considering taking a road trip
• People who have to commute every day
• Delivery vehicle drivers
• Independent contractors
• Service technicians
• Couriers
• Field sales representatives

Nearly half of all field service companies still map addresses and plan routes on paper or whiteboards, according to estimates. As a result, significant differences between the planned and actual routes are possible. Route planners can be used to automatically correct this discrepancy and create the most direct route with accurate driving directions.

2021’s Top 15 Route Planners

#1 – EasyRoutes (Best for Creating Multiple Routes for Multiple Drivers)

EasyRoutes is a route planning and optimization app for delivery companies that allows them to create multiple routes with multiple stops. EasyRoutes is designed to cut down on route planning time so you can spend more time fulfilling orders.

Supported platforms: Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based

#2 – RouteXL (Creating the Fastest Multi-Stop Routes)

RouteXL’s intelligent algorithm locates and arranges addresses to shorten route durations.
RouteXL is a web-based application that allows you to plan and customize routes, as well as track vehicles using GPS or geocoding.

Supported platforms: Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based

#3 – MyRouteOnline (An online route planning and optimization tool that optimizes your routes in seconds)

MyRouteOnline is a multi-route, multi-stop route planner and optimization solution that reduces travel time and distance while allowing for multiple manual changes. The mobile app supports popular navigation apps, as well as API integration and TomTom Telematic’s WEBFLEET.

Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based, iOS, Android, and Windows are all supported platforms.

Supported platforms: Web-Based, iOS, Android, Windows

#4 – Mapquest (Tool for planning and optimizing routes with up to 26 stops)

Mapquest is a fantastic tool that has been around for a long time and provides GPS navigation and route directions to its users. Mapquest offers walking and driving directions, as well as multi-segment routing and traffic data.

Supported platforms: Web, iOS, Android

#5 – RAC (text-based route planning)

Over a hundred thousand motorists have used the RAC Route Planner in the past. RAC provides traffic updates as well as a mileage calculator. The new Maps feature allows users to search for garages, hotels, and car dealerships near them.

Supported platforms: Web, iOS, Android

#6 – Roadtrippers (A Travel Route Planning Tool)

The Roadtrippers database contains millions of fascinating locations from all over the world. Its goal is to make road trips more enjoyable and manageable. Roadtrippers accepts travel stories, which are then shared with other app users. It becomes easier to discover interesting new places to visit in this manner.

Supported platforms: iOS, Android

#7 – ViaMichelin (Route planner with hotel and restaurant reservations)

Online mapping services are provided by ViaMichelin. It also offers cost-effective route planning, real-time traffic updates, hotel and restaurant reservations, and highlights tourist attractions.

Supported platforms: Web, iOS, Android

#8 – Circuit Route Planner (Multi-Stop Route Planner)

Circuit for Teams assists delivery companies with route planning, delivery tracking, and driver and fleet management. Circuit makes fleet management simple with features like route optimization, customer notifications, and accurate ETAs.

Supported platforms: Cloud, Saas, Web, iOS, Android

#9 – Route4Me (A Route Planner to Help You With Your Daily Routing)

Dispatchers and delivery managers can create routes in minutes and send them to drivers via the Route4Me mobile app. The mobile app includes built-in navigation and was created with field service, field sales, and territory management in mind.

Supported platforms: Web, iOS, Android

#10 – Speedy Route (A route planner with time-boxing for locations and drag-and-drop reordering)

On the road, Speedy Route is an excellent tool for delivery drivers and salespeople. It can plan delivery routes for a single or multiple vehicles. This can be beneficial to delivery companies with a large fleet.

Supported platforms: Saas, Cloud, Web

#11 – Geopointe (A geo-mapping tool with live asset and vehicle tracking)

Geopointe is a geo-mapping application that allows users to gain spatial insights into their business processes using maps and geography. Converting Salesforce data into actionable insights to improve business operations is simpler with Geopointe.

Supported platforms: Web, Android, IOS

#12 – BadgerMaps (A Field Sales Route Planner)

Badger Maps is a route-planning tool designed specifically for salespeople and teams. By combining data from the CRM with Google Maps, it allows sales teams to manage their territories. On the user’s mobile app, it provides schedule planning, route optimization, and lead generation.

Supported platforms: Web, Android, IOS

#13 – Maps.ie (Google Maps Route Calculator)

Maps.ie is a route planner for walking, cycling, and driving.
Maps.ie provides quick route directions as well as a way to plan a trip around Ireland.

Platforms Supported: Web

#14 – Maptive (Supply Chain, Real Estate, Sales, and More Global Mapping Software)

In just a few minutes, Maptive can turn your address data into a custom Google map. Users can create heat maps, sales density maps, store locators, territory maps, and more with Maptive.

Platforms Supported: Web, Cloud, Saas

#15 – AA Route Planner (An Easy-to-Use Route Planning Tool)

The AA Route Planner is a simple and easy-to-use route planning tool for trips in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the European Union. AA provides text-based directions, as well as the ability to save routes and view traffic information. It’s ideal for travelers looking for hotels and B&Bs while on the road.

Platforms Supported: Web, IOS, Android

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it possible to plan a route using Google Maps?

Yes, Google Maps offers route planning and navigation for up to ten stops per route. You have the option of walking, driving, biking, or taking public transportation.

Which free route planner is the best?

Two of the best free route planners are Mapquest and Waze. Google Maps can be added to the mix to serve as a navigation app and route planner.

What’s the best way to make a route with multiple stops?

Free route planners like Mapquest and Waze can help you plan a route with multiple stops. Other options include EasyRoutes, Circuit Route Planner, Badger Maps, and Routific if you need more optimal routes for multiple stops of 100 or more.

Final Thoughts

Having a good route planner in place will help you stand out from the competition and improve your delivery business. Make certain that the route planner you select is appropriate for your delivery services. On a road trip or during your daily commute, it can also help you save time and fuel. We hope you found the information in the preceding list useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to assist you.