Routes and deliveries
How to optimize stop order before starting a route
A simple guide to reviewing addresses, organizing stops and setting out on deliveries with a more efficient sequence.
When a route has several deliveries, following addresses in the order they arrived is not always the best choice. A stop that seems close may force you to return along the same route later, increasing travel and making the day less predictable.
Route optimization reorganizes stops into a more efficient sequence. According to Google Maps documentation, this calculation considers travel time primarily and may also take distance and the number of turns into account. This does not mean every route will have a fixed saving, but it helps avoid an order based solely on guesswork.
Review stops before optimizing
The result depends on address quality. Before calculating the route:
- Check the street, number, neighborhood and city.
- Make sure additional address details are separate from the main address.
- Remove duplicate stops.
- Confirm the starting point and, if necessary, where the route ends.
- Keep access notes, landmarks or contact details associated with the correct delivery.
Incomplete information can place a stop in the wrong location and affect the entire sequence.
Organize the route in three steps
In Genne's route planner, add the stops for your journey and review the points shown on the map. Then use optimization to calculate a more efficient order. Finally, check the distance and duration summary before starting.
This final review matters because the calculation organizes travel, but you still know constraints that may not be in the address: receiving hours, a reception desk, a customer's priority or the need to return to base.
When to adjust the order manually
The optimized sequence should be a starting point, not a blind rule. Consider an adjustment when:
- a delivery has a time window;
- an order must be delivered first;
- access is restricted during a certain period;
- you need to collect something before another stop;
- the journey's endpoint has changed.
If you make a significant change, recalculate or check the route again to avoid unnecessary crossings.
A simple habit for every morning
Before leaving, take a few minutes to review, optimize and check the route. The more stops there are, the harder it is to estimate the best sequence mentally. Making this check a habit reduces improvisation and gives you a clearer view of the work ahead.
The idea is simple: correct addresses, organized stops and one last check before driving. That way, you start the route with a plan — and retain the freedom to adapt the operation when the real world requires it.