Route optimization 101: more stops, fewer miles

Route optimization sounds like a mapping problem. It's really a profit problem: every wasted mile is fuel, payroll, and a stop you didn't make.

What optimization actually does

It sequences stops and maps drive paths to fit more deliveries into the same day with fewer miles — accounting for time windows, service time, and truck constraints.

Where the savings come from

• Fewer miles: direct fuel and maintenance savings.
• Less drive time: more selling time and more stops per day.
• Consistency: new reps run a veteran's route without the tribal knowledge.

The compounding win

Tighter routes don't just cut cost — they add capacity. The same fleet covers more accounts, which is how distributors grow without adding trucks.