Have you been frantically searching using the phrases “Google maps best route pHave you been frantically searching using the phrases “Google maps best route planner” or “best route planner Apple maps,” only to come up with confusing results? Would you like to download a free route planner in order to simplify your drive?
If this sounds familiar, then you have come to the right place. Below, our team outlines ten of the best free route planning apps. These apps are great for bus drivers, delivery service personnel, sales reps, and other professionals who spend much of their day behind the wheel.
Why Use A Route Planning App?
Before we show you how to find a better route planner, let’s quickly recap the benefits of using route tracking technology. For starters, planning your routes with this innovative software can help you reduce fuel costs and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. Another perk to route tracking applications is that you can minimize delivery delays, which ultimately improves the customer experience.
Finally, route tracking software allows you to improve resource allocation. You can carefully plan out your route each day in order to maximize your efficiency, serve more clients, and generate greater revenue. As you can see, the right route planning software is a valuable weapon in your arsenal.
The Best Free Route Planning Apps
Now that you know why you should plan out your sales routes let’s take a look at some of the best free solutions on the market. Our choices include the following route planning apps:
Circuit Route Planner
First up on our list is the Circuit route planner. Circuit is an extremely easy-to-use route planner that is compatible with both Android and Apple devices.
Once the app is downloaded, all you have to do is create an account. Next, simply input your stops by conducting a quick address query. The Circuit route planner will take it from there and create an optimized pathway to each delivery. Circuit also gives you the ability to notify customers of your upcoming delivery or arrival.
While the basic, single-driver Circuit plan is free, they have more dynamic subscriptions for teams and businesses.
Elastic Route
Elastic Route is a global route planning tool that quickly optimizes routes with many stops and takes into account working hours, traffic, loading docks hours and many other factors. Their API dashboard facilitates many integrations into existing IT infrastructure.
Elastic Route does not have a mobile app interface.
The free 14-day trial is a great way to try it out. After that, plans start at $29/vehicle.
Maptive
Maptive is a cloud-based solution accessible on a desktop, tablet or mobile device. Users can upload a spreadsheet of data into Maptive and a Google Map of the route will be generated. Users can optimize routes, create heat maps, and plan optimized routes.
Many customizable features allow users to create territories and choose map style, pin color and size.
Download a free 10-day trial. Pricing starts at $250/45 days for one user. Enterprise pricing plans are available upon request.
Portatour Route Planner
Next on the list is the Portatour route planner. While Portatour is not free, the developer does offer an extensive 30-day free trial period. Unlike some other route planning companies, Portatour gives you access to the full version of their software and does not require you to provide credit card information during the trial.
The real beauty of Portatour is that it can integrate with your existing CRM or ERP software. It is compatible with virtually every device, including Apple and Android smartphones, tablets, and computers. This flexibility ensures that you and your team are always connected when behind the wheel.
If you are a sales rep and are interested in a better route planner, consider investing in technology that integrates with your CRM tools, such as Portatour. While the free apps above can certainly improve your route planning capabilities, a fully integrated solution gives you maximum control over the customer experience.
In addition, Portatour seamlessly shares information with your other customer relationship management programs in order to provide optimal route guidance. These features make Portatour the best route planner for sales reps.
Road Warrior Route Planner
Next up on our list is the Road Warrior route planner. This user-friendly software allows you to create a custom route size of up to 8 stops and has a daily search limit of 50 inquiries.
The Road Warrior route planner is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. It also includes real-time traffic-based routing to ensure that you can avoid roadway shutdowns and other delays.
Due to the small route size, the Road Warrior route planner app is best suited for delivery services and bus drivers. However, it is not an ideal sales route planner as these reps often make well over eight stops in a single workday.
With that being said, Road Warrior does offer subscription-based plans that offer larger route size planning capabilities. The “Pro” plan starts at $10 per month for a single user.
Route4Me Route Planner
Another option is the Route4me route planner. This option is not completely free, but they do offer a seven-day unlimited trial. After the trial has ended, route planning options start at $149 per month.
The Route4me route planner is definitely one of the top options on our list. It has a great set of features, an intuitive user interface, and can plan your routes in seconds. The only real downside to Route4me is cost. Due to its price point, it is not the best choice for individuals or teams that visit fewer than 10 locations per day in total.
RouteXL
RouteXL is a tool for deliveries, pickups and services to minimize route duration to lower time, cost and emissions and increase productivity and customer satisfaction. Destinations can be imported from other applications, spreadsheets or e-mail, with copy and paste.
The output can be shown on the map and printed to take with you or exported to satnav devices and navigation apps.
Plan a route with 20 or fewer destinations for free. For routes with more than 20 stops, 35 euros per month.
TruckRouter
TruckRouter is designed primarily for truck drivers. This tool allows drivers to plan their route and track mileage. Truck drivers get detailed directions with truck-specific routes and truck restrictions, trip cost calculators, truck stop locations and route elevation.
TruckRouter is free and easy but is only available on a desktop application.
The Best Tools for Field Sales Reps Offer More than Routes
Of course, there’s more to building a successful sales day than just setting the optimal route. Ideally, sales reps should have a solution that automates time-sucking daily tasks while optimizing as much of the sales process as possible.
The best platforms will provide in-depth reporting that gives true insight into recent sales successes. Metrics should be updated in real-time, and offer an integrated revenue heat map. With access to this type of sculpted information, sales teams can focus their efforts where they will produce the greatest effects.
For more robust route planning tools, see our post on premium route optimization apps. These tools can integrate with CRM’s and generate leads.
To Know Your Route Is to Know Yourself
Regardless of your role, it’s good to understand where you’re going. With the help of the handy apps on this list, you can start your day with confidence in your ability to be where you must, when you must, to meet (and exceed) customer expectations.
