Stop Using Google Maps Now: Proper Route Planning Software Is Critical

Stop using Google Maps and Waze for last mile route plans. Now. 

If you’re serious about last mile deliveries, you need a dedicated route planning app that’s designed specifically for logistics operations. Here's why: Let's look at how delivery route planner apps work and the benefits they offer.

Understanding How Route Planning Apps Work

Simply put, the goal of a route planning app is to find the optimal route from point A to point B. This may sound easy, but once you add in multiple stops with different requirements and sort those stops into multiple different routes, the complexity mounts geometrically. (Take a look at our post what is route planning.)

Google Maps is a basic route planner that's sometimes used for route planning. Casual drivers can use Google Maps to see several ways to get to their destination and get detailed directions so they can spend less time on the road.While convenient, Google Maps (and Waze and others) only touch the very first layer of routing. For logistics operators who want 

to lower shipping-related expenses such as fuel bills, increase productivity, and meet customer demand for fast and on-time deliveries, you need something that can help you create routes with a large number of stops—all while accounting for the factors that impact drive time. Google Maps and Waze can't factor in things like customer tier priorities and customers’ desired time windows —meaning they’re not enough for true last mile optimization. 

The Benefits of Route Planning Apps

Smart route optimization offers great value to delivery organizations and to their customers Below are some of the main benefits of a route planning app.

1. Better Route Optimization 

If you’re only routing a few trucks, and time windows aren’t a major factor in delivery, it is possible to find relatively short routes by hand—though it may take a bit of time. However, businesses that aren't using cloud-based, AI-powered routing applications for their route planning generally can’t find the optimal routes for an entire fleet in a timely manner. On the other hand, businesses that have a route planning tool can cut through the complexity by using advanced algorithms to find the quickest and most cost-effective routes. Even when there are scores of complex factors at play, the right app can still optimize delivery routes for distance, truck capacity, crew skills and more. 

2. Faster Route Planning 

Relying on manual route planning and navigation apps means spending a lot of time just finding the possible best routes. And despite all the time spent, manual routes won't be the fastest nor most economical.

<< Learn how Ryder achieved 98% on-time delivery rates with DispatchTrack >>

In contrast, a smart  truck route planner provides the quickest and most cost-effective routes for drivers in less than a minute. The solution makes complex calculations, factoring in multiple variables affecting delivery times—all within seconds. This can save your business hours of effort, which can be used for other high-value assignments.

It's not just the human route planners and fleet managers that get to save time. Likewise, drivers no longer have to consult paper route assignments and input each delivery address into Google Maps. Instead, drivers only need to consult a mobile app that shows their sequence of stops with turn-by-turn directions. 

3. Increased Productivity

Route planning applications ensure that drivers’ routes cover the least miles in the shortest time possible, allowing drivers to deliver to more stops during their shift. The right routing software also ensures that drivers spend less time responding to last-minute changes and allows operators to be more efficient. Their mobile app acts as a one-stop-shop for the entire delivery route, streamlining the process. 

4. Reduced Travel Time and Mileage

Optimizing routes will also help companies cut down overall drive times as well as miles traveled. Naturally, reducing drivers' miles translates to cost savings. Delivery operators lower fuel costs. Route optimization also cuts vehicle maintenance costs, since less time is spent on the road, reducing required maintenance.

Spending less time on the roads can also reduce accidents, helping lower insurance premiums and vehicle downtime.

5. Minimized Customer Service Calls

Manual route planning is inefficient and error-prone. Pen-and-paper planning can’t compete with a proper routing app. Its inefficiency results in inaccurate ETAs and, ultimately, irate customers.

Luckily, delivery routing software can produce accurate ETAs based on a whole host of complex factors. Plus, a more advanced fleet routing software might also include features to provide customers with real-time alerts and live location tracking, informing them of possible delays in delivery. Providing customers with accurate ETAs and real-time alerts reduces the calls and inquiries received by the customer service team—as well as outbound calls for things like scheduling deliveries and communicating delivery information—all of which can dramatically reduce costly phone time. 

Standard navigation apps are a casual driver's best friend. But for last mile delivery fleets, a basic route planner like the free ones available on the internet can't address the many challenges in fleet management. A sophisticated route planning application can help delivery operators increase productivity, improve driver safety, reduce overall costs, and ultimately increase profitability. Keep that pen and paper for taking notes, but for routing, implement full-featured optimization software. The right optimized route planning solution can revolutionize the delivery process for operators and the delivery experience for your customers.