Common Route Optimization Myths That Waste Your Budget

Route optimization sounds technical, but it’s really just about making deliveries smarter. The right routes can mean faster trips, less fuel, and fewer headaches for everyone involved.

You’ve probably heard some version of this before: “Google Maps is fine. We don’t need anything fancy.” Or worse: “We’ve always done it this way.”

But if you’re managing deliveries, these beliefs can cost you more than you think: fuel, time, staff hours, customer complaints. The works.

Route optimization myths

Route optimization is here to stay. In 2023, the route optimization software market was valued at $8.5 billion, according to Grand View Research. It is expected to keep growing.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the biggest myths about route optimization; and what it’s actually supposed to do.

We’ll cover everything from Google Maps being good enough for parcel deliveries, to driver skills, software, delivery distances and costs.

Let’s go!

Myth 1: Google Maps is good enough

Google Maps wasn’t built for deliveries. Sure, it’s great for one trip. But if you’ve got 20 stops and two drivers? It’s going to get tricky, fast.

It doesn’t optimize multiple stops, can’t factor in delivery time windows, and it won’t reroute your drivers when things go sideways.

Real route optimization software like Locate2u builds routes based on:

• Traffic
• Delivery windows
• Priority stops
• Vehicle load

It plans ahead and adapts when things change.

ALSO READ: Still using Google Maps? 5 signs you need a route planning app

Myth 2: Route optimization software is only for big companies

Nope. This one’s just wrong. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got 3 drivers or 300, the same pain points exist for everyone:

• lost time,
• wasted fuel,
• and late orders.

Locate2u’s route optimization software works for businesses of all sizes. You can even start small and scale up as your business grows.

No messy spreadsheets or expensive IT setups needed. And you won’t have to call your drivers every 10 minutes to check where they are.

Myth 3: My drivers know the area better than software

Maybe they do. Delivery drivers are usually well acquainted with the areas they drive every day, week or month. But route optimization isn’t just about getting from point A to B.

Instead of just focusing on the geography of a route, it goes beyond and does it efficiently. It looks at things drivers can’t always see in real time:

• accidents,
• road closures,
• changing ETAs.

It also helps when someone calls in sick and you need to reassign their route fast. These are things outside of a driver’s scope of duties, things they don’t need weighing on their minds in the first place.

And let’s be honest: your top-performing drivers might be doing okay, but what about the rest? Even then, don’t you want a tool that makes it easier for your drivers?

Myth 4: We don’t deliver enough to justify it

Let’s do some quick math.

Say it takes 45 minutes to manually plan routes every morning. (And this is being generous, it could actually takes hours.

That’s almost 4 hours a week. Multiply that by the hourly wage of your staff. And that’s just one task. Now add fuel waste, missed deliveries, and WISMO (“Where is my order?”) calls.

Even a few weekly deliveries can turn into a full-time headache without the right system.

Myth 5: Route optimization is for short distances

Distance is part of it, sure, but it’s not the whole story.

Sometimes, the shortest route takes the longest time. Or the quickest route passes by a customer who won’t be home until later.

Or there’s an accident and it’s delaying traffic. Or the weather suddenly changed and now there’s a flooded road or a closed intersection.

Good software considers all of that.

Locate2u, for example, factors in delivery time windows, driver availability, road conditions, weather, and more. That’s why routes actually work in the real world.

READ: Locate2u vs OptimoRoute: Which One’s for You?

Route optimization myths debunked

In this article, we’ve established that route optimization isn’t just some fancy tech add-on or software only meant to be used by delivery companies with massive fleets.

It’s how smart delivery teams save time, cut fuel costs, and stop drowning in admin. No matter how big or small your team may be. Because the longer it takes to do a delivery, the more it costs you.

And hey, if you’re still second-guessing whether it’s worth it? Start tracking what you’re spending manually every week. Then compare that to the time (and fuel) you’ll save.

Spoiler: It adds up. Fast!