The short answer: put your stops in a column, tick Optimize Stop Order, and click Run. RouteTally reorders the stops for the shortest drive, and gives you the distance and time of every leg, a total, a Google Maps link and a QR code for the driver. In our test, the same 10 stops took 44.6 miles in the order they were typed and 12.5 miles once optimized.
The Pain Points of Manual Route Planning
Before finding a solution, most business owners struggle with the same manual hurdles. If you are managing your logistics in a standard spreadsheet, you are likely facing:
- Time-Consuming Data Entry: Manually copying addresses into mapping software and then pasting the results back is a massive time sink.
- Inaccurate Estimates: Relying on “gut feel” for travel times leads to missed appointments and unpredictable schedules.
- Suboptimal Routes: Without precise calculation, drivers often take longer paths, burning unnecessary fuel and increasing vehicle wear-and-tear.
- Lack of Centralization: When your route data is scattered across different apps, reporting and analysis become a nightmare.
How to Optimize Delivery Routes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is how to optimize a delivery route in four steps:
- List your stops. Put one address per row in a single column, with the city and ZIP code on each.
- Open RouteTally from the add-ons panel and select the cells that hold the addresses. Choose miles or kilometers, and Driving, Walking or Bicycling.
- Tick Optimize Stop Order (Premium). Add Create QR Code and Create Map if the driver will use a phone.
- Click Run. RouteTally creates a new tab with the stops in the quickest order, the distance and time of every leg, a total, and a link to the route in Google Maps.
💾 Get a copy of the spreadsheet with the locations and optimized routes.
What Optimize Stop Order does
Optimize Stop Order finds the quickest path through your stops. The first and last stop stay where they are, and RouteTally reorders the stops in between. Here is the same list of ten Manhattan stops, run twice: in the order it was typed, and optimized.
The typed order zigzags across town; the optimized order cuts the drive from 3 hours 25 minutes to 1 hour 29 minutes. Your own list will differ, and a list that is already in a sensible order gains less.
RouteTally plans up to 100 stops, in batches of 25. Optimize works inside each batch, so sort a long list by area first. See how to plan a route with more than 25 stops.
Send the route to your driver
Premium adds a QR code and a map image to the output tab. The driver scans the code with a phone and the route opens in the Google Maps app. The Open Route in Google Maps link does the same from a computer.
Free and Premium
- Free: routes of up to 10 stops, with the distance and time of every leg and a Google Maps link.
- Premium ($93 a year, or $9 a month): up to 100 stops, Optimize Stop Order, QR codes, map images and stop durations. A free 7-day trial can be started from inside the add-on.
The ROI of RouteTally: Why It Pays for Itself
Consider the math: If RouteTally saves each of your drivers just 15 minutes per day through better planning, what does that translate to in weekly fuel savings and increased delivery capacity?
The cost of the add-on can be offset quickly by:
- Reduced Mileage: Shorter routes mean significant fuel savings.
- Increased Capacity: Efficient routes allow drivers to fit more stops into a single shift.
- Lower Administrative Costs: Reduce the hours spent by office staff on manual route planning.
Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Optimizing?
Join the businesses saving hours every week with RouteTally.
Install RouteTally Now
Who Benefits Most from RouteTally?
RouteTally is an essential tool for any operation involving multi-stop logistics:
- SMBs: Local florists, caterers, and e-commerce shops handling their own “last-mile” delivery.
- Field Service: HVAC technicians, plumbers, and electricians managing daily service calls.
- Sales Teams: Professionals planning efficient regional client visits.
- Event Planners: Coordinating multiple equipment drop-offs and pickups across a city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RouteTally free to use?
Routes of up to 10 stops are free, with the distance and time of every leg and a Google Maps link. Optimize Stop Order, routes of up to 100 stops, QR codes and map images need a Premium subscription ($93 a year or $9 a month), and a free 7-day trial can be started from inside the add-on.
Does it factor in real-time traffic?
No. RouteTally uses Google’s estimated travel time for the mode you choose, not live traffic. To estimate travel time for a future departure time, use TripTally or Travel Formulas.
Can I calculate routes for walking or biking?
Yes. You can toggle between driving, walking and bicycling directly within the add-on sidebar. Public transit works only for a route with a start and a destination.
Does it find the best order for all my stops?
It reorders the stops between your first and last stop. On a list of more than 25 stops it works inside each batch of 25, so sort the list by area first.
How many stops can I add?
Up to 10 on the free plan and up to 100 on Premium. See how to plan a route with more than 25 stops.
Does it add up the total distance and time?
Yes. Every output tab ends with a TOTAL row. See how to calculate the total distance and time for a list of addresses.
Conclusion: Professional Logistics Inside Google Sheets
In today’s fast-paced market, efficient delivery is a competitive advantage. RouteTally empowers you to take control of your logistics, reduce overhead, and delight your customers—all within the familiar environment of Google Sheets.
Don’t let manual planning hold you back. Install RouteTally today and unlock the full potential of your delivery operations.