Route Planning and Optimization Tools

Efficient route planning is the difference between profit and loss in trucking. Modern route optimization tools help dispatchers minimize fuel costs, reduce deadhead miles, improve on-time delivery rates, and maximize driver productivity. Understanding and leveraging these tools is essential for competitive trucking operations.

Why Route Optimization Matters

Financial Impact:

Poor Routing Costs:

Extra fuel: 10% inefficient routing = $5,000-$10,000/truck/year
Deadhead miles: Empty miles reduce revenue per mile
Time waste: More hours for same revenue = lower productivity
Late deliveries: Penalties and lost customers

Optimized Routing Saves:

✅ 5-15% fuel reduction
✅ 10-20% fewer deadhead miles
✅ 15-25% more loads per truck
✅ Better on-time performance

Example:

10 trucks × $8,000 annual savings = $80,000/year from route optimization alone

Types of Route Planning Tools

**1. PC*Miler (Professional Standard)**

What It Is:

Industry-standard route planning software
Designed specifically for commercial trucks
Desktop and web-based versions

Features:

✅ Truck-specific routing (avoids low bridges, weight restrictions)
✅ Mileage calculation (HHG miles, Practical miles, Short Practical)
✅ Fuel cost estimation
✅ Toll calculation (accurate for all major toll roads)
✅ Multi-stop optimization
✅ HazMat routing compliance
✅ State-by-state mileage (IFTA reporting)

Best For:

Professional dispatchers
Carriers needing accurate mileage for contracts
HazMat routing
Toll cost calculations

Cost:

$500-$1,500/year per user

2. Google Maps / Waze (Free Options)

Google Maps:

Free and widely accessible
Real-time traffic data
Decent routing for basic needs

Limitations for Trucking:

❌ No truck restrictions (may route to low bridges, no-truck roads)
❌ Mileage differs from commercial standards
❌ No toll breakdown by vehicle type
❌ Not HazMat compliant

When to Use:

Quick mileage estimates
Real-time traffic checking
Supplemental tool, not primary

Waze:

Real-time traffic and incident reports
Crowdsourced data
Same limitations as Google Maps for trucks

3. Truck-Specific GPS Software

Garmin Dezl:

Truck GPS with route planning
Truck profiles (height, weight, length, HazMat)
Avoids truck restrictions
Parking, weigh stations, rest areas

Rand McNally TND:

Similar to Garmin
Trucker-focused POIs
Weather overlay

CoPilot Truck:

Professional routing
Offline maps
Custom truck profiles

Best For:

Drivers (in-cab navigation)
Route verification
Real-time turn-by-turn

Cost:

$300-$600 device + $100-$200/year map updates

4. TMS-Integrated Route Optimization

Built into Major TMS:

McLeod LoadMaster
Tailwind TMS
Axon
Rose Rocket

Features:

Integrated with dispatch workflow
Considers driver HOS availability
Multi-stop optimization
Accounts for appointment times
Calculates profitability per route

Advantages:

✅ No separate software needed
✅ Seamless workflow
✅ Uses live data (driver location, hours, loads)

Route Optimization Strategies

1. Minimizing Deadhead Miles

Deadhead:

Empty miles driven without paid load
Target: Under 10-15% of total miles

Strategies:

✅ Backhaul planning: Book return load before delivering
✅ Load board search: Search from delivery location
✅ Broker relationships: Request backhauls when booking
✅ Round-robin routes: CA → TX → Midwest → CA (all legs paid)

Tools:

Load boards with destination search
TMS "next load" recommendations
Historical lane analysis

2. Multi-Stop Optimization

Challenge:

Multiple pickups/deliveries in different order
Need to find most efficient sequence

Optimization Considers:

Appointment times (hard constraints)
Mileage between stops
Drive time
Driver HOS availability
Delivery priorities

Example:

Without optimization: A → D → B → C = 500 miles
With optimization: A → B → C → D = 350 miles
Savings: 150 miles × $0.50/mile (fuel) = $75 saved

Tools:

PC*Miler multi-stop
TMS route sequencing
Route optimization algorithms

3. Fuel-Efficient Routing

Considerations:

Grade: Avoid steep mountains when possible (lower MPG)
Speed: Highway vs. surface roads (highway usually more efficient)
Traffic: Stop-and-go kills MPG
Fuel stops: Plan stops at low-tax states

Tools:

PC*Miler fuel optimizer
DAT fuel finder
TruckerPath fuel prices

4. Time-Based Routing

Rush Hour Avoidance:

Route around major metros during peak hours
Schedule arrival for off-peak times
May add miles but save time

Appointment Windows:

Work backward from delivery appointment
Calculate pickup time needed
Ensure driver has hours available

Time Zone Management:

Account for time zone crossings
Adjust appointment times for local time
Avoid confusion with clear communication

Advanced Optimization Techniques

Lane Analysis:

Track Performance by Lane:

CA → TX: Average rate, fuel cost, transit time
Identify most profitable lanes
Focus on lanes where you excel

Data to Track:

Revenue per mile by lane
All-in cost per mile (fuel, tolls, driver pay)
Profit margin by lane
Frequency (how often you run it)

Action:

Build dedicated lanes (consistent routing)
Negotiate contract rates on profitable lanes
Avoid consistently unprofitable lanes

Network Optimization:

Triangle/Circuit Routes:

Plan loads in sequence
Minimize empty miles between loads

Example Circuit:

Load 1: CA → TX ($3,000)
Load 2: TX → GA ($2,200)
Load 3: GA → CA ($2,500)
Total Revenue: $7,700 for 3,500 miles
All miles paid (no deadhead)

Conclusion

Route planning and optimization tools are essential for modern dispatching. Whether using professional software like PC*Miler or integrated TMS solutions, the goal is the same: maximize efficiency, minimize costs, and deliver on time.

Key Takeaways:

Essential Tools:

✅ PC*Miler: Industry standard for mileage and routing
✅ Truck GPS: Garmin, Rand McNally for drivers
✅ TMS Integration: Built-in route optimization

Optimization Goals:

✅ Minimize deadhead miles (under 15%)
✅ Multi-stop efficiency
✅ Fuel-efficient routing
✅ Avoid traffic and delays

Best Practices:

✅ Plan backhauls before delivering
✅ Use data to identify profitable lanes
✅ Optimize appointment timing
✅ Account for HOS in routing

"Every mile costs money. Route optimization ensures every mile is profitable."

Continue Learning:

Master route optimization to maximize profitability. Continue your education at Carriversity.

Route Planning and Optimization Tools