The Top 7 Best Free Route Planners with Unlimited Stops

September 12, 2023
Articles
Francesco Bassetti
Growth
The Top 7 Best Free Route Planners with Unlimited Stops

Utilize a free route planner that permits limitless stops to save time and money!

To assist you in selecting the best alternative for your requirements, we compare the top 8 choices.

Key findings:

  • You must keep in mind that while most apps offer free trials, most of these will require you to pay for long term access or advanced features.
  • Free route planning tools are available, but they frequently have substantial restrictions, especially if you manage a professional business route.

Inefficient route processes are expensive to manage and can significantly reduce your earnings.

Important Considerations:

The shorter the driving time, the more profitable your delivery business will be.

The correct route planning software may help you save time and money by enabling you to quickly create the best routes to assist your drivers finish their stops more quickly.

However, there are certain factors you should consider before deciding to use a free route planner:

  • Will a free route planner work for me?

There are many free route planners, but all have restrictions.

For those arranging road trips or part-time couriers who handle fewer than 10 stops at once, a free route planner may be useful.

But a more comprehensive mapping software will be required by professional couriers and firms that offer delivery services.

  • Is there a way to obtain a free route planner with unlimited stops?

No free route planner exists that provides free, unlimited stops.

The majority of free route planners provide ten to twenty stops each route.

While with Kosmo you have no stops limits.

  • Is using a premium route planner worthwhile?

Paid route planners offer advanced features, such as unlimited stops and additional route management capabilities like driver tracking and confirmation of delivery. Through Kosmo you can get everything starting for Free. 

These differences are what will most likely lead to your business success.

Hence, let’s dive into the 7 best free route planners.

The 7 Best Free Route Planners:

  1. Kosmo Delivery

Kosmo Delivery is a leading route optimization app that specializes in optimizing delivery routes with just two clicks and it allows you to use 3rd party couriers while others do not.

It uses advanced algorithms to calculate the most efficient routes, taking into account various factors such as traffic conditions, delivery windows, and vehicle capacity. 

Experience the power of Kosmo Delivery and unlock a new level of efficiency for your delivery operations. Try it now!

How will Kosmo help you with route optimization?

  1. Select all the orders available

  1. Click in “Optimize”

  1. You will find the routes optimized

Start for Free Now!

2. Google Maps: 

Google Maps is a free tool that lets you plan routes in many modes of transportation.

You can add multiple stops, optimize the route for the fastest or shortest path, and even view live traffic updates.

However, you can only plan a route for one driver at a time

There is no way to plan multiple different routes for multiple different drivers, so it’s useless if you’ve got a team to manage.

On top of that, Google Maps doesn’t necessarily give the shortest route. This can be a big drawback if you want to prioritize points like speed and fuel efficiency.

Plus, when it comes to planning routes with multiple stops, there are limitations. Google Maps only allows up to ten addresses, including the starting point, to be added at once.

Without optimization, Google Maps will follow the exact order of the addresses entered, even if it involves backtracking.

What if I have more than 9 stops?

If you have more than nine stops, an alternative approach involves using Google's My Maps feature. 

This allows you to create a master list of stops and determine the nearest ones to each other. Nevertheless, it requires manual planning and lacks route optimization capabilities in addition to being very time consuming. 

Pros of using Google Maps as a free route planner:

  • Availability: Google Maps is likely already installed on your phone and widely accessible.
  • Familiarity: Many people are familiar with Google Maps and have used it for personal trips, making it easier to navigate.
  • Rerouting: It has the ability to reroute around accidents and traffic jams, helping you find alternative paths.

Cons:

  • Limited stops: Google Maps allows only ten stops, including the starting location, which can be restrictive for longer routes.
  • No route optimization: It lacks the feature to optimize routes, requiring manual adjustments to reduce travel time.
  • Time-consuming: Adding multiple stops and optimizing the route manually can be a time-consuming process.
  • Not ideal for high-volume deliveries: If you regularly make more than nine deliveries in a day, Google Maps may not be the most efficient option. It is best suited for short paths only.

Here are some insights of customers using Google Maps:

  • 3/5 stars: “Google maps is a useful app for navigating and exploring new places, but it has its downsides. While the app offers reliable and accurate directions and real-time traffic updates, it can be slow to load and respond at times, and I’ve encountered occasional glitches and inaccuracies in the directions provided.”
  • 1/5 stars: “Inconsistent!!! Works completely different on a PC or a tablet and a phone.”
  • 4/5 stars: “This app changed the world. Much love for this. These days though, it’s often less usable than I expect. It will insist on routes I don’t want, or not present alternatives for routes that are obviously wrong. Especially on longer trips. I’ve struggled with annoying pop-ups (that I can’t clear easily while driving).”

3. Waze:

Waze app is another free tool with traffic alerts and detailed directions.

Waze has a limit on the number of stops you can add. You can include your starting location and up to nine other stops in your route planning.

If you have more than nine stops, Waze does not provide a built-in feature for optimizing the route or assisting with efficient stop sequencing. You would need to manually organize and plan the route yourself.

This means that if you input the addresses into Waze without making adjustments, it will follow the route as entered, even if it involves backtracking or less efficient directions.

Despite this limitation, Waze does offer useful features such as rerouting around accidents and traffic jams. It provides real-time updates to help you navigate through unexpected road conditions and find alternative routes.

Pros of using Waze as a route planner app for your business:

  • Availability and familiarity: Waze is commonly found on smartphones and widely used for personal navigation.
  • Real-time re-routing: It offers real-time updates and can redirect you around accidents and traffic congestion.
  • Free and user-friendly: Waze is accessible at no cost and has a relatively intuitive interface.

Cons of using Waze for route planning:

  • Limited stops: You can only add your starting location and up to nine other stops in a single route.
  • No route optimization: No automatic optimization for multiple stops, requiring manual organization and planning.
  • Time-consuming route adjustments: Adding multiple stops and optimizing the route may require additional time and effort.

Here are what users have to say about Waze:

  • 4/5 stars: “This app has saved me so many times. I absolutely love it. I use it constantly, mainly because it alerts me to traffic and cops, but also because it has shown me shorter ways to places I go to all the time (and thought I knew the best route there).”
  • 5/5 stars: “Waze is my #1 choice for GPS. Live traffic updates, being able to edit traffic conditions on the fly to give a more accurate commute, and sharing routes and ETAs are great features. I do hope they integrate voice commands with Siri so we can say things like ‘Hey Waze, drop a stopped vehicle pin’ while we are driving, so interaction becomes handsfree and safer.”

4. SpeedyRoute

SpeedyRoute is a web-based route planner. In the free edition, you can only calculate the itinerary for ten stops .

With SpeedyRoute, you can add more than one vehicle to the list, and the algorithm will determine how to divide routes among them optimally.

While SpeedyRoute may offer a free trial, there could be subscription fees or premium plans associated with accessing advanced features or extensive usage like creating routes with more than 10 stops. The options are:

  • $69 per month for small teams (5 drivers, 500 stops)
  • $99 per month for large teams (10 drivers, 9,999 stops)

With this, there are no limitations on the number of stops you can add, making it suitable for high-volume deliveries or complex routes.

SpeedyRoute offers customizable settings that let you prioritize factors such as the shortest distance or fastest travel time according to your specific requirements.

It also adapts to your preferences in factors like traffic conditions or specific delivery time windows.

It helps in arranging the stops in the most efficient order, saving time and reducing travel distances.

This flexibility allows you to tailor the routes to your preferences and business needs.

Pros of using Speedy Route:

  • Free trial: SpeedyRoute is free for up to ten stops. Then, it has flexible subscription prices.
  • Large number of stops: It allows you to add a large number of stops, making it suitable for high-volume deliveries.
  • Time-saving: The route optimization feature saves time by automatically arranging the stops in the optimal order.
  • Customizable settings: SpeedyRoute provides customizable settings to prioritize factors such as shortest distance or fastest travel time.
  • Multiple route options: It generates multiple route options, giving you flexibility and allowing you to choose the best one.

Cons:

  • Learning curve: There might be a learning curve to understand and utilize all the features effectively.
  • Availability: SpeedyRoute might have limitations in terms of availability on different platforms or regions.
  • Cost: While SpeedyRoute offers a free trial, there may be subscription fees or premium plans for accessing advanced features or using the app extensively.

FAQs for Speedy Route:

  1. Does SpeedyRoute offer route optimization?

Yes.

  1. How many stops can I add on SpeedyRoute for free?

SpeedyRoute allows you to add up to ten stops free of charge.

  1. Does SpeedyRoute save time in planning routes?

Yes, SpeedyRoute's route optimization feature automatically arranges the stops in the optimal order.

  1. Can I customize the settings in SpeedyRoute?

Yes, SpeedyRoute offers customizable settings that allow you to prioritize factors such as shortest distance or fastest travel time 

  1. Does SpeedyRoute provide multiple route options?

Yes, SpeedyRoute generates multiple route options, giving you flexibility.

  1. Are there any downsides to using SpeedyRoute?

Yes, it has a learning curve to understand all the features, limitations in availability on certain platforms (not available on iPhone) or regions, and potential cost considerations such as subscription fees or premium plans.

  1. Is SpeedyRoute available for free?

While SpeedyRoute offers a free trial, it might have subscription fees or premium plans for accessing advanced features or extensive usage. The availability and pricing details can be obtained from the SpeedyRoute website or app store.

  1. How does SpeedyRoute compare to Google Maps in terms of route planning?

SpeedyRoute specializes in route planning with advanced optimization features, making it more suitable for high-volume deliveries. Google Maps has limitations in terms of the number of stops and lacks dedicated route optimization capabilities.

5. Circuit for Teams:

Circuit for Teams is a delivery route planner app that optimizes multi-stop routes.

Circuit offers features like live tracking, seamless integration, and analytics.

The user-friendly mobile app and dedicated customer support make it a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes. 

Multiple drivers' routes can be optimized using Circuit for Teams. In the event of a last-minute change or if a driver favors a certain route or region, you can also switch routes with other drivers.

How much are Circuit’s prices?

  • Essentials ($100 per month). With the Essentials plan, you can create and optimize routes, track drivers in real time, and integrate with the Circuit for Teams API. The price includes two drivers. After that, you pay $40 per additional driver.
  • Standard ($200 per month). The Standard plan includes all the features of the Essentials plan — plus proof of delivery and  sending customer notifications. The price includes the first three drivers. After that, you pay $60 per additional driver.
  • Pro ($500 per month). With the Pro plan, you get all the benefits of the Essentials and Standard plans, plus you can analyze delivery data. The price includes six drivers. After that, you pay $80 per additional driver.

Pros of using Circuit:

  • Free trial: Free 14-day trial
  • Tracking features: Easily locate packages by notifying Circuit of their location at each stop.
  • Fully customizable: customize the duration of each stop and prioritize stops.
  • Compatible: works with your preferred navigation programs, such as Waze and Google Maps.

Cons of using Circuit:

  • Additional costs: limited free trial version with restricted features.
  • Navigation apps reliance: possible dependency on external navigation apps for detailed turn-by-turn directions.
  • Internet dependency: requires internet connection for real-time route optimization and updates.
  • Limited customer support: limited customer support options.

Here is a review of a customer:

  • 4/5 stars: “The drivers found the app very useful, and the fact that it linked with the map app on their phone meant that they could easily find each address.”

6. MyRouteOnline

MyRouteOnline doesn't have a free plan available at the moment, but it does provide a free trial like the other applications on our list.

You can add addresses to MyRouteOnline using an Excel or CSV file (up to 350 per route). 

With MyRouteOnline, you may configure a route so that it:

  • Reduces the distance.
  • Reduces the duration
  • Keeps distance and time equal

After your routes have been optimized, you must export them as an Excel file and either print or email them to your drivers. If your drivers are using TomTom or Garmin devices, you can export them to those as well.

The issue is that, unless your drivers are using TomTom or Garmin devices, it might be difficult to manage route changes as they are happening.

Pros of using MyRouteOnline:

  • Efficient Route Planning: MyRouteOnline helps optimize routes for multiple stops, saving time and fuel costs.
  • Customizable Options: Users can set specific parameters, such as time windows, vehicle capacities, and route constraints, to tailor the planning process to their needs.
  • Integration: The platform can integrate with various GPS and navigation systems, streamlining the process of transferring routes to drivers.

Cons:

  • Address Accuracy: The accuracy of route planning heavily relies on the accuracy of the inputted addresses. Inaccurate or incomplete addresses may lead to suboptimal routes.
  • Limited Real-Time Updates: While MyRouteOnline can integrate with GPS and navigation systems, it may not provide real-time updates on traffic or road conditions, requiring drivers to rely on separate sources for such information.
  • Cost: Although MyRouteOnline offers a free trial, it typically operates on a subscription-based model.

What do MyRouteOnline’s users have to say?

  • 3/5 stars: “The good part was that while traveling there were several accidents that Google Maps told us would cause significant delays, but couldn’t/didn’t give us any alternative routes. Neither did Apple Maps. MapQuest gave us the alternative and even alternatives to that route when it started getting backed up. Neither G nor A gave additional alternatives even once knowing we were on a different road.”
  • 3/5 stars: “I’m an avid MapQuest user because I’m always having to go to different meeting sites for work and rely on this app because I’m always in an unfamiliar area. I trust MapQuest because it has kept me on the right track and on time. However, this last time I had to change my route because of construction and the MapQuest map was not keeping up with the voice.”

7. Detrack

Detrack offers a free trial period, allowing businesses to experience the benefits of their delivery tracking and route optimization platform before committing to a subscription.

Detrack provides various subscription plans tailored to different business needs and scales

  1. Starter Plan: Provides essential features such as real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and basic route optimization.
  2. Pro Plan: Offers advanced features including route optimization, vehicle tracking, multiple user accounts, API access, and comprehensive reporting.
  3. Enterprise Plan: Provides customized solutions, priority support, advanced integrations, and advanced analytics for comprehensive operational insights.

Pros of using Detrack:

  • Free trial period: Enables businesses to experience Detrack's capabilities firsthand, helping them make informed decisions about the suitability of the platform for their specific needs.
  • Flexible plans: Detrack's subscription plans are flexible and scalable, accommodating businesses of varying sizes and requirements.
  • Advanced analytics: The advanced analytics and reporting features offer valuable insights into delivery performance, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations.

Cons:

  • Cost: While Detrack offers a free trial, the full range of features may only be accessible through paid subscription plans
  • Additional training: Depending on the complexity of the logistics operations, businesses may require additional training or support to fully utilize and optimize the platform's features effectively.

Here are some reviews of Detrack’s users:

  • 4/5: “So far the service has been really good, and any help required is provided within hours”
  • 4/5: “In general it has been a great experience to work with detrack. Very easy to use, and intuitive. Reports are great and cleMaps need improvement. I still have a hard time locating drivers.”

Join Kosmo Today for Free

Experience the power of Kosmo with just a few simple clicks, as it effortlessly optimizes your delivery routes. By utilizing the most efficient paths for your drivers to reach their destinations, Kosmo eliminates the cumbersome task of manual route planning. Bid farewell to the headaches and allow Kosmo to handle the heavy lifting for you.

Benefit from valuable insights gained through Catering case studies and save countless hours of valuable time!

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