This site's planner currently calculates one origin-to-destination leg at a time. For a multi-stop day, choose the stop order first, then run and record each leg separately. Use a dedicated optimization tool when the route is too large or constrained for manual planning.
1. List every stop with its constraints
Record the complete address, correct entrance, opening or appointment window, expected service time, and whether the stop is required. Do not begin by placing everything on a map; time restrictions determine which geographic orders are possible.
| Stop type | Examples | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Appointment, reservation, scheduled pickup | Protect this time first |
| Flexible | Shopping, delivery without a narrow window | Group near fixed stops |
| Optional | Extra errand or sightseeing | Remove if the schedule slips |
2. Create geographic groups
Place nearby stops into the same cluster and look for obvious backtracking. Keep roads, bridges, tolls, parking, and directional access in mind. Two places may be close in a straight line but far apart by legal driving route.
3. Test each leg in the planner
- Enter Stop A as the origin and Stop B as the destination.
- Record the selected route's distance and estimated time.
- Use Stop B as the next origin and Stop C as the destination.
- Continue until every leg is checked.
- Reverse questionable pairs to see whether a different order reduces backtracking.
4. Add non-driving time
For every destination, add parking, walking, service, loading, and buffer time. Keep these values separate from the route estimate. A day with five ten-minute drives and five thirty-minute stops requires more than three hours, not fifty minutes.
5. Build a schedule, not just a line
| Leg | Drive | Stop time | Target departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start → A | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| A → B | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| B → C | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| C → Finish | _____ | _____ | _____ |
6. Define the recovery plan
Choose the first optional stop to drop, the latest acceptable departure from each fixed stop, and one place to refuel, charge, or rest. If the schedule falls behind, make the change while parked instead of repeatedly rebuilding the order in motion.
When manual sequencing is not enough
Use specialized software for many stops, commercial dispatch, narrow time windows, automatic optimization, proof of service, or legal vehicle restrictions. The site's normal car route is not designed for truck dimensions, hazmat, or fleet compliance.
Related guidance
- Enter and reorder stops in Google Maps
- Print the final leg-by-leg schedule
- Use the site's point-to-point route controls
Workflow reviewed July 19, 2026. Route estimates exclude time spent at stops unless you add it separately.