How to Optimise Delivery Routes

All businesses that sell a substantial amount of their products via delivery will benefit substantially from optimising their routes of delivery, as well as the proper, effective planning of future routes. As such, the question of "how to optimise delivery routes?" is one to consider.

If you're a business that a consumer can count on for consistent and timely deliveries, it's much more likely than not that your business will quickly develop a strong reputation and image. Effective delivery management and route optimisation aren't just about cutting costs, it's about making sure you can expand your consumer network and build stronger revenue streams through reliability. In saying this, ensuring seamless delivery through effective route optimisation without the aid of effective, intelligent software is easier said than done.

So, you're probably wondering how to plan routes for deliveries effectively. Well, thankfully, you've come to the right place! Locate2u is a delivery and field service management software that allows you to track your workers, optimise delivery routes, manage bookings, and more! It's safe to say we know what we're talking about when it comes to how to optimise delivery routes; continue reading to learn more!

What is Delivery Route Optimisation?

Delivery route optimisation is the process of finding the best route for drivers and making their journey more efficient whilst reducing expenditure on things such as fuel, tolls, and more.

In saying this, that doesn't mean delivery route optimisation is just about finding the shortest route, it's about considering an array of factors to minimize the total driving time in the face of variables such as:

• Road accidents
• Traffic congestion
• Total distance in kilometers between stops
• Driver schedule
• Time-bound deliveries (express shipping etc.)
• The weight of the vehicle

As you can imagine, calculating the best route by considering these variables manually is a challenge. Delivery route optimisation software exists so that you can spend less time crunching numbers and more time on the road. With route optimisation software such as Locate2u, you'll be able to calculate all of the best routes from A to B in seconds, maximizing the number of journeys your drivers can take, and the amount of money your company makes! Locate2u solves the problem of figuring out how to work out the quickest delivery routes for your drivers.

How to Plan a Delivery Route

Unfortunately, Google Maps is not the answer when it comes to optimising delivery routes and planning routes for deliveries. Google Maps is designed to provide simple directions from points A to B, not complicated, multi-stop routes that can be affected by a multitude of variables. Likewise, planning delivery routes manually is not an option, unless you're interested in spending heaps of time and money for something that can be done in mere seconds at a fraction of the cost.

There are a number of factors that would make manually planning your route extremely difficult, including:

• Flexibility: what if a driver calls in sick? What if weather conditions alter at the last minute?
• Accuracy -- are all windows of time considered, including driver skill? Is the schedule too complex? How can you plan for roads and traffic in an area you've never visited?
• Scalability -- how much manpower would be required to manually plan routes based on area, availability, qualifications, and more? How big is your fleet?
• Strength -- if members of your workforce were to quit, how easy would it be to replace them with new candidates that have the knowledge to plan routes effectively?

So, if you can't plan routes manually or with Google Maps, you're probably asking yourself how to plan a delivery route at all. The answer is simple; you'll need artificially intelligent software with the capacity to plan, optimise, and schedule routes.

Route Optimization Performance in 2026

Industry research shows that businesses using AI-powered route optimization in 2026 are achieving measurable gains across all key delivery metrics. 2025-2026 data indicates that optimized routing reduces average delivery times by 20-35% while increasing the number of stops completed per driver per shift by up to 25%. These improvements are especially pronounced for businesses managing 20 or more daily stops per driver.

According to logistics industry benchmarks, the adoption rate of dedicated route optimization software among small and medium delivery businesses has grown by over 40% in the past two years, driven by falling subscription costs and the clear competitive advantage it provides. Businesses that delay adoption are finding it increasingly difficult to match the delivery speed and reliability of competitors who have already invested in this technology.

How to Optimise Delivery Routes: Locate2u

When considering which software to pick for delivery route optimization, Locate2u is the quality option.

Locate2u's route optimisation software will save you hours each day in developing routes for your team; our system will have you enter the bookings for the day and then click a few buttons before building the most efficient routes for your drivers to take. See how Franz Building Supplies eliminated delivery disputes with Locate2u. Our optimisation software is extremely flexible, meaning you can adapt the optimised routes to the capacity of your business; if you operate vehicles that can only fit a certain amount of stock inside, we can handle that. If you need certain deliveries completed by a specific time, our software can do that.

The more optimised your route is, the less time your team of drivers will spend out on the road, meaning the less your business spends on fuel and labor costs. Plus, you'll be able to deliver more items in one day with our software than you ever had without it. This will result in a better customer experience, and subsequently, increased customer retention. It is easier to say an accurate ETA with confidence to your customers by mitigating the risks attached to the delivery.

The Key Features of Delivery Route Optimisation Software

Let's take a closer look at just how our delivery route optimisation software can improve efficiency in your company, lower your cost of operations and save you a whole bunch of time with its easy-to-use interface and streamlined systems.

Increase Delivery Capacity

An optimized route of delivery can potentially save you up to 20% to 40% on fuel expenditure and drive time. As the time taken for each delivery is slashed down, your fleet of drivers will be able to add in extra trips within their day they previously would not have been able to.

In saying this, it is not uncommon for some manual tweaking to be necessary, as there will always be uncontrollable elements sparked by natural causes or human error to tackle.

Visualizing Delivery Routes

Our route optimisation software creates easy-to-process visualizations that allow the driver to easily perceive and envision their route without stress. Your driver will be able to see exactly where certain stops are, as well as any updates to the route based on real-time traffic conditions.

Built-in Reporting Capabilities

Route optimisation is a continual process that requires the operator to assess and identify areas for improvement to stay as efficient as possible. Our software comes with in-built reporting and management systems that allow you to analyze data and identify any issues that may arise. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as service time, successful deliveries, customer feedback ratings, idle time, and more!

Track Live Location

With Locate2u's software, your customer will be able to view the drivers' live location, ensuring a level of peace of mind previously unexperienced. The vast majority of online shoppers want to track their delivery live.

In our modern age, customers crave real-time tracking. Real-time tracking capabilities also reinforce transparency, so, if for whatever reason your driver is delayed, both the company and the recipient will see an addition of time to the original ETA, keeping all parties informed.

It may even keep your customer service lines quieter than before!

How to Work Out Quickest Delivery Routes

If your business is reliant on fleets for timely delivery, you're going to need cost-effective, functional route optimisation software that you can rely on. You'll need Locate2u.

Get a quote on pricing for your business. You'll save time and money whilst growing your business!

Key Takeaway: Route Optimization Is a Growth Strategy

In 2026, route optimization is no longer just an operational tool but a genuine growth strategy for delivery businesses. 2025-2026 data indicates that businesses with optimized routes are scaling faster, retaining more customers, and operating with significantly lower per-delivery costs than those without. Whether you are managing a handful of daily deliveries or hundreds, investing in route optimization with Locate2u positions your business for sustainable growth. Explore more strategies in our route optimization blog or request a demo to get started.