If you’re looking for the best delivery route planner apps to help you save time and manage your deliveries more efficiently, you’re in the right place.
We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the top 8 delivery route planner apps that could help to make life a little easier when you’re out on the road.
In this in-depth review, we take a look at each of these apps to compare their features, pros and cons. Keep reading to find out which one could work for you.
What is a route delivery planning app?
A route delivery planning app is an advanced smartphone app that helps you plan and manage your delivery schedule effectively. There are loads of features available in each app, and we'll take a deep dive into all of them. But the main aim of these apps is route optimisation.
What is route optimisation?
Route optimisation is the process of planning and calculating the most efficient route. It’s more than just finding the shortest path – it also includes how many stops you’ll make and when the best time to do them is.
All of this helps to save you time and money.
Best free route planner apps for delivery drivers
If you're just starting out as a courier delivery driver or looking to test some free delivery apps, here's a few you might like:
Best free route planner apps for delivery drivers
If you're just starting out as a delivery driver or looking to test some free delivery apps, here's a few you might like:
Waze
Available on: Android, iOS and Web
Waze's user interface is intuitive and easy to follow, allowing drivers to quickly find their destination without having to go through multiple menus or search pages.
The app also displays helpful information such as current average speed limits, road closures and traffic delays.
Waze also allows drivers to plan trips using its "Route Optimization" feature, which suggests the fastest route based on real-time traffic conditions.
Key features of Waze
- Updates in real-time
- Very similar to Google Maps
Pros
- Variety of voices for navigation and driving directions
- Voice search for address
- Alerts about hazards, police incidents and traffic
- Arrival time is based on live traffic data
Cons
- No delivery management features
- Route planning for 2 destinations only
Pricing for Waze
Free
Google Maps
Available on: Android, iOS and Web
Google Maps’ route planner is a popular choice for new delivery drivers. It's available on most Android phones and you've probably come across it when planning personal journeys.
The layout is easy to navigate, the voice assistant is handy, and mapping out a route with multiple destinations isn't too complicated.
Google Maps makes it simple to pinpoint the quickest available route, allowing up to 10 different stops to be included (including your starting address).
There's no dynamic route optimisation, so once you've added your stops, Google will only take you on the fastest route from stop to stop (even if that means coming back on yourself).
Google Maps is OK if you only make a few deliveries each day, and the fact that it's free makes it a good choice to get started with.
Key features of Google Maps
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- You can share your location with other people
- You can add route preferences to avoid toll roads and motorways
- Continues to work off-line
- Get real-time traffic updates
Pros
- You may be familiar with it for personal use
- Get real-time traffic updates
- Hands-free voice entry
- Get real-time traffic updates and accurate arrival time
- Automatic rerouting if you miss your turn
Cons
- Doesn’t create optimised routes
- Maximum of 10 stops per route
- No proof of delivery collection
Pricing for Google Maps
Free
Download Google Maps On Apple App Store
MapQuest Route Planner
Available on: Android and iOS
MapQuest is an incredibly helpful online mapping service that can help make your journey smoother and more efficient. You can add a variety of addresses and stops into MapQuest, far more than you would find with other mapping services like Google Maps. Adding these addresses is easy, and you even have the option to upload them using a CSV file.
MapQuest also offers a very convenient routing solution for delivery drivers, including planning for a round trip or just a one-way outing. With the option to set your route as a round trip, MapQuest factors in the time it takes you to return to the warehouse.
MapQuest is a great free app to use if you're looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to plan out routes for delivery trips. You can easily manage up to 26 different stops on a single journey, entering in your start and end addresses as well as all the points between.
The only downside is the occasional pop-up advert, which can be a bit annoying. Still, MapQuest is a great option to consider if you're looking for an easy way to manage your delivery trips.
Key features of MapQuest Route Planner
- Option to tailor your route based on the quickest time or shortest distance
- Plan for round trips and single routes
- Ability to import routes from a spreadsheet
- Customise the most efficient routes by avoiding toll roads, highways and seasonal roads
Pros
- Provides driving and walking directions
- Multi-segment routing
- Built-in traffic information
Cons
- Pop-up ads
- Limited to 26 delivery addresses
Pricing for MapQuest Route Planner
SpeedyRoute
Available on: Android and iOS
Once you've entered all of your stops into SpeedyRoute, it quickly plans the most optimal route for you, guiding you back to your original starting point, as well as giving you directions along the way.
For routes with 10 or fewer locations, the service is completely free. But for longer and more complex routes, or if you need to do more than 10 calculations within 24 hours, then the subscription kicks in.
Key features of SpeedyRoute
Easy-to-use
Multi-stop route planning
Can use what3words for precise route planning
Pros
Free for up to 10 delivery locations
Flexible subscription prices
Optimises your route
Cons
Currently only available for iPhones – not on Android yet
One of the pricier monthly options for single drivers
Pricing for SpeedyRoute
Free for routes with less than 10 stops per day (subscriptions costs start from there)
Upper Route Planner app
Available on: iOS and Android
Upper Route Planner is an easy-to-use delivery route planning tool that helps drivers and small delivery businesses to maximise their time.
It offers the ability to map out and optimise the order of stops on routes, making them shorter and faster to complete. You can also get routes sent to you via email or SMS, including basic route analytics so you can track the number of planned routes and completed visits.
This paid service is an ideal alternative to Google Maps if you’re looking for a more efficient way to plan multiple addresses on your delivery routes.
Key features of Upper Route Planner app
- Plan and optimise routes with multiple stops
- Import route addresses as Excel and CSV files
- Collect proof of delivery (signatures and images)
- Route analytics (shows total planned routes, route stops, and completed visits)
Pros
- Route optimization and proof of delivery features
- Ability to adjust settings for the type of vehicle
- Works with more familiar navigation tools like Google Maps
Cons
- Multiple pricing options make it difficult to choose a plan
- The free trial is limited to 7 days
- Some users have found it difficult to get started
Pricing for Upper Route Planner App
Free 7-day trial
Essentials:$100/Month - up to 3 drivers
Growth:$200/Month - up to 5 drivers
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/upper-route-planner-uk/id1481934166
Route4Me
Available on: iOS and Android
Route4Me provides drivers with two main options for managing their routes: Dynamic Routing and Scheduled Recurring Routing.
Dynamic Routing is best for drivers whose routes change daily or multiple times a week. This plan offers route management for single or multi-person routes.
Scheduled & Recurring Routing, on the other hand, is ideal for drivers who repeat the same routes or delivery schedules on a regular basis.
Route4Me will allow you to enter thousands of stops and then give you optimised multi-stop delivery routes.
Key features of Route4me
- Route planning
- Mileage tracking
- Order management
- GPS tracking
Pros
- Great for teams of up to 10 drivers
- Routes can be shared among teams
Cons
- One of the priciest options for route planning software
- The cheapest package includes route management only
- Likely best for teams rather than individual drivers
Pricing for Route4Me
Territory Management: $99 per month
Route Management: $149 per month
Route Optimization: $199 per month
Advanced Territory Management: $199 per month
Route Optimization Plus: $299 per month
Automatic Territory Optimization: $1,999 per month
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/route4me-route-planner/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.route4me.routeoptimizer&hl=en_GB&gl=US
RoadWarrior
Available on: iOS and Android
RoadWarrior is another simple-to-use route planning app. You can upload a spreadsheet or input the addresses manually to create routes, and set preferences like avoid highways and toll roads.
The system uses a variety of factors to make sure that you get the best possible route with multiple stops. It considers things like drop-off priority, traffic, school zones and business availability to create routes with optimal delivery times.
Key features of RoadWarrior
- Plan delivery routes with multiple destinations
- Optimise your routes for time and fuel consumption
- Bulk upload addresses
Pros
- Can be used by individual delivery or taxi drivers, or Team RoadWarrior for teams
- One of the least expensive options
Cons
- The free plan only gives you a maximum of 8 stops per route and 48 daily optimised stops
- No proof of delivery
- Not rated as high as some of the other apps
- The Pro plan is only $10 per month, but you’re limited to a maximum of 120 stops and 500 searches per day
Pricing for RoadWarrior
Free: Maximum route size of 8 stops
$10/month: Maximum route size of 120 stops
$10/month plus $10/month for each driver:Maximum route size of 200 stops
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/roadwarrior-route-planner/id959621658
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roadwarrior.android&hl=en_GB&gl=US
Circuit Route Planner
Available on: iOS and Android
Circuit Route Planner offers 10 stops for free, then charges for more complex routes with extra stops.
Circuit Route Planner includes route optimisation, offering quicker and more efficient routes. It tracks your journey, so you can view the entire course in action. Customers can receive a delivery status with an estimated time of arrival. Additionally, it offers proof of delivery through a signature or photograph.
You can also use Google Maps or any other mapping software used by your company.
Key features of Circuit Route Planner
- Add, delete or optimise your route while on the road
- Hands-free voice entry
- Easy-to-use
Pros
- Easy-to-use design
- Nice user interface
- Video conferencing and screen sharing functionality
Cons
- No way to delete conversations
- Drivers cannot name the stops
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.underwood.route_optimiser&hl=en_GB&gl=US
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/circuit-route-planner/id1198232244
Individual drivers Circuit Route Planner pricing
Free: Up to 10 stops
$20/month: Unlimited number of stops
Circuit for Teams pricing
$40/month/per driver: Ideal for services with multiple call-outs and stops
$60/month/per driver: Ideal for retail and medium businesses
$100/month/per driver: Ideal for dispatchers at high-delivery couriers