The 6 Best Multi-Stop Route Planner Apps for Drivers & More

Navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps are great at getting you from A to B. But what happens when you need to keep moving from B to C, D, E, F, and beyond? That’s multi-stop route planning — and navigation apps are really bad at it. 

Sure, there are workarounds (we’ve even written about how to plan multi-stop routes in Google Maps) — but they’re clunky and inefficient. Who has time to drag stops around on a map to try and get a more sensible order? The truth is, multi-stop route planning is an advanced functionality that needs specialist apps. 

What you really need for easy multi-stop route planning is route optimization. That means an app that takes a number of stops and automatically sorts them into the most efficient order. 

Route planners that are fine-tuned for a particular task, like deliveries or running routes, often work best.

In this article I’m going to share the best apps I’ve discovered (and some alternatives), for six different types of tasks and users:

1. Everyday driving directions
2. Last-mile deliveries
3. Solo delivery drivers 
4. Sales reps
5. Service techs
6. Outdoor adventures

6 multi-stop route planner apps to take the pain out of planning

1. Best for driving directions: SpeedyRoute + a navigation app

Speedy Route is a nifty, easy-to-use desktop app that can create optimized routes in moments. And it’s free! 

The downside? It won’t give you driving directions. That’s why we recommend pairing it with a navigation app like Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze, or HERE WeGo. Yes, it’s clunky to use two different apps — but if you want something that’s free AND doesn’t require a signup of any kind, this is your best option.

Here’s how it works:‍

1. Enter your start location (and an optional finish location).

2. Under Vehicle 1, add a stop. You can enter an address or just search for a business by name.

3.Repeat until you’ve added all of your stops. You can add up to 10.

4. Tap “optimize route.” Your stops will automatically be sorted into an efficient sequence, like this:
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5. Once your route is optimized, click the three-dot kebab menu and then “Print route” or “Export route”. This gets you a list you can print out, or a CSV file you can copy and paste.

Now you can use Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, HERE WeGo, or whatever your favourite app is for driving directions. Just enter the stops one by one, in the correct order, to build your optimized driving route.

Advantages

• Free
• No signup or installation required

Disadvantages

• It takes a lot of steps to get from a list of addresses to an optimized driving route.

Alternative: Routific Chrome extension for Google Maps

If you’re a Google Maps and Chrome fan, AND you’re willing to download a browser extension, this is even easier than SpeedyRoute. Here’s how it works:

1. Download and install Routific’s Chrome browser extension.
2. Add your stops and click to optimize. 
3. Get your route!

Advantages

• No need to leave Google Maps — you get an optimized route + driving directions all in the same place.
• Includes all the Google Maps features you know and love, like real-time traffic updates. 

Disadvantages

• Only works in Google Maps.
• You need to give permission for the extension to access your Google profile, so that it can read the addresses you’ve added to the map. 

Is there a  free mobile route planner with multiple stops?

We really hoped we would find a mobile app that gives free, easy, optimized driving directions for multi-stop routes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist. It turns out that route optimization is an expensive service to provide. Sure, if you search the App Store or Google Play you’ll find plenty of apps that advertise themselves as multi-stop route planners. But all of them have one of these problems:

1. Most apps don’t do anything different or better than Google Maps, Apple Maps or HERE WeGO. You can add a bunch of addresses, but you will need to change the order of stops yourself to find the shortest route. This goes for apps like MapQuest and MyRouteOnline. 
2. Some apps create optimized routes, but don’t let you use them unless you sign up for a paid account. This happened with apps like Route4Me and Zeo — they’re aiming at a commercial market. 

Until someone finds a way to make a free app worthwhile, you’re stuck with the SpeedyRoute and Routific Chrome extension workarounds: Plan on desktop, get driving directions on mobile. 

2. Best for last-mile delivery route planning: Routific

Delivery companies need more than just optimized routes and driving directions. They need to be able to track their drivers, notify customers about the progress of their deliveries, collect proof of delivery, and manage their costs. 

Routific’s route optimization software does all that, while enabling last mile delivery companies to slash delivery costs and travel time by up to 25%. Intelligent route optimization and traffic pattern-based algorithms make deliveries fast and efficient.

The combination of a web planning interface and a free mobile driver app makes it easy to connect drivers and dispatch, so managers can track delivery progress in real-time, review stats, and better manage their delivery operations.

Routific helps delivery business:

• Deliver on time.
• Reduce delivery costs by as much as 25%.
• Delight their customers.

Advantages of Routific 

• Easily plan and edit delivery driver routes and schedules.
• Live GPS and progress tracking.
• End-of-day reports are available to monitor driver performance.
• Customer notifications.

Disadvantages of Routific 

• Doesn’t have barcode scanning
• No in-app chat function 

Why Routific is great for delivery route planning

Routific’s delivery route planner is designed to eliminate spaghetti routes, offers traffic-aware routing so that drivers avoid rush hour traffic, and offers a simple, powerful interface for growing delivery businesses.

💡Try out Routific  for free — no credit card needed.

Alternatives

• Onfleet: Less easy to use than Routific and the route optimization isn’t as good, but does have features we lack like barcode scanning and age verification.
• Optimoroute: We recommend Optimoroute below for field service techs, but it also does delivery route planning. Routific has better route optimization, though.

3. Best for field sales reps: SalesRabbit

SalesRabbit is specifically designed for sales teams, so there’s much more to it than a route planner. The SalesRabbit platform includes apps for appointment scheduling, mobile contracts, training, and more. But their route planner is included in their free Lite version, available on Android and iOS devices.

Sales reps will appreciate the platform’s:

• Ability to optimize routes based on sales appointment times. 
• Ease of adding up to 23 leads to the map.
• Smart labeling so that sales reps can see the lead’s name and appointment time at a glance.
• Canvassing options to monitor progress, assign areas for teams, and review past performance data for the area.

Advantages of SalesRabbit

• Free route planning allows users to try the platform before committing to a paid tier.
• Extensive lead information is available for each stop, enabling sales reps to know what to expect when knocking on the lead’s door or walking into their office.
• Advanced tiers offer scheduling, weather alerts, reports, advanced canvassing, import from Excel and other formats, and more.

Disadvantages of SalesRabbit

• You need to create an account, even if you’re using the free Lite version of SalesRabbit.
• Free users are restricted to the mobile app. The web app is only available on paid tiers.

Why SalesRabbit is great for sales reps

SalesRabbit’s focus on sales teams and reps gives it the upper hand in this category. Its functionality offers an easy-to-use platform for tracking leads on the map, advanced filtering, reminders, and extensive customization, all wrapped into one route planner app.

While users mention bugs and issues in different areas of the platform, it’s still the go-to route planning app for sales reps.

Alternatives

• Badger Maps: Fast, speedy route optimization with capabilities to optimize 100+ stops effortlessly, and to identify opportunities near your current location.
• RepMove: Territory management, shared customer data, and optimized sales routes to minimize travel time.

4. Best for field service techs: OptimoRoute

OptimoRoute is a versatile route planner for many different use cases, including deliveries and long-haul routes — but it’s particularly good for field service techs. With OptimoRoute, technicians can find the best route around their different service stops, to save time and money while providing customers with real-time ETAs.

If you have a large database of customers, automated planning allows you to import thousands of orders, and the platform will select the most efficient route.

You can:

• Add workflow constraints and vehicle details to enhance arrival times.
• Automatically match the right skills and tools to each job.
• Include workflow parameters like service time windows and task durations.

Advantages of OptimoRoute 

• Proof of delivery or job completion.
• Live tracking and ETA options.
• Native apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Disadvantages of OptimoRoute 

• Recurring stops are not supported well, and there is no easy way to see past services.
• Updates to the app can remove random stops.

Why OptimoRoute is great for service techs

OptimoRoute works well for service techs, delivery drivers, and home service businesses. Real-time route modification helps keep service calls on schedule even if a rep calls out.

Automated planning, driver and vehicle variables, and priority options for tasks keep high-value customers happy and minimize downtime.

Alternatives

• MyWay: A trusted route planner for 600k drivers across 150 countries with the power to optimize 200 stops at once.
• Maptive: A free multi-stop route planner with real-time updates via API access, customizable maps, driving radius maps, and more.   

5. Best for solo delivery drivers: Circuit

Circuit is a route optimization app that can streamline your day as a trucker or delivery driver. Just enter your stops — you can even scan in a printed manifest — and Circuit will generate the best route. When you’re ready to hit the road, the app will send driving directions right to your favorite navigation app.

With Circuit, you can even add breaks to your routes to ensure your ETAs are always accurate. You can:

• Prioritize certain stops and set delivery time windows for each one. 
• Add, delete, or re-optimize routes while you’re out on your route.
• Scan address labels with your smartphone to add stops.

If you’re using an Android device, you can also upload your stops via spreadsheet.

Advantages of Circuit

• Add and optimize unlimited stops.
• Easy to manuallyre- order routes when necessary.
• Use the “load vehicle” feature to note exactly where in your vehicle each package is loaded. 

Disadvantages of Circuit

• Spreadsheet importing is only available with the Premium tier.
• The free tier only offers 10 stops per day. After that, it’s US$20 a month. 

Why Circuit is best for solo drivers

Circuit is a solid choice for solo drivers who need help with route planning (read our in-depth review of the Circuit driver app here). Thanks to the user-friendly interface, adding stops is easy, and optimization is on point to help you get through the day faster.

Alternatives

• Hammer: A free navigation and routing app designed for large commercial vehicles. Routes are tailored to your truck type, and the app helps you avoid low bridge clearances and truck restrictions.
• RoadWarrior: Similar to Circuit, but routes are limited to 200 stops. Route planning and optimization are quick and easy.

6. Best for planning outdoor activities: Alltrails

Planning routes for recreational activities like hikes, trail runs, or bike trips is a special case. When I’m planning a run or hike, my goal is not the most efficient route — I care more about distance, elevation profile, and safety. A navigation app designed for drivers will only get me as far as the trailhead parking. 

There are lots of apps to help plan outdoor activities, but AllTrails stands apart. Its biggest asset is its massive, regularly updated database of user-reviewed trails and robust route planning features.

I have a personal subscription to AllTrails, and I don’t plan a hike without consulting the latest trip reports. Trail conditions can change fast after storms, snowfalls, and between seasons, and recent user reports make it much easier to choose a trail that will be fun and safe. 

You can start exploring trails immediately without an account, though you'll need one to save routes and access offline maps on your mobile device.

AllTrails offers:

• Detailed trail information including difficulty, elevation gain, and current conditions.
• Crowd-sourced updates about trail conditions and hazards.
• Custom route creation with unlimited waypoints.
• The ability to download maps for offline use (Pro feature).
• 3D trail previews so it’s easy to see elevation changes (Pro feature).

Advantages

• Large database of user-verified trails with recent reviews and photos.
• Filter routes by difficulty, length, elevation gain, and features.
• Includes wheelchair-friendly and dog-friendly routes.
• Safety features like wrong-turn alerts and off-route notifications (Pro).

Disadvantages

• Many key features (offline maps, wrong-turn alerts) require Pro subscription
• Mobile route planning interface can be clunky — desktop works better

Why AllTrails is best for outdoor activity planning

AllTrails excels at combining community knowledge with precise route planning. Its massive user base provides constant updates about trail conditions, making it easier to plan safe outings. The platform's focus on safety features and detailed trail information makes it particularly valuable for hikers and trail runners who need reliable navigation in remote areas.

Alternatives

• Komoot: Stronger focus on cycling routes with excellent turn-by-turn navigation.
• Outdoor Active: More activity options including horse riding and winter sports.
• Gaia GPS: More detailed topographic maps and advanced navigation features for serious backcountry users.‍
• Bikemap: Designed just for biking, with pre-planned and custom routes available.‍
• Plotaroute: Offers multiple options for route planning, including auto-generated plans, point-and-click, waypoints, or route upload.

Multi-stop route planning made easy

Planning a multi-stop route doesn’t have to be complicated. These apps streamline the process to save you time and serious headaches. While I’ve chosen a “best use” for each of these apps, most are versatile and can be used for a variety of route planning purposes.