Free Route Optimization on Google Maps.

Zeo Chrome Extention, Zeo Route Planner
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Free Route Optimization on Google Maps

Google Maps is the most popular mapping provider in the world. Having more than a billion downloads and used by more than 150 million people every day, it is the lifeline of everyday commutes.

Google Maps has many advantages such as

  • Real-time traffic updates
  • Auto re-routing for finding the shortest distance between 2 points
  • Updated information about tolls and road closures.

However, route optimization is one feature that Google lacks.

What is Route Optimization?

Route optimization helps courier delivery drivers get the shortest routes for servicing multiple addresses.

Google maps is great for telling the shortest path between 2 addresses. But if you have to visit more than 2 stops, it doesn’t tell an optimized order in which they should be visited.

With route optimization solutions the drivers have the following advantages:

  • Tells the order in which a list of stops should be visited.
  • Provides the shortest distance for the overall trip saving costs.
  • The total trip takes the least amount of time giving you enough time to finish other tasks.

With Google Maps not offering route optimization, courier drivers and field service professionals have to rely on paid apps. This takes them away from the user interface of Google maps and pinches the pocket.

Zeo has solved this issue by building a free Google chrome plugin to get route optimization to Google maps. There is no need to download a separate app. Get the perfect order on the web and transfer it to your Google maps seamlessly.

Free Zeo Web Plugin

1. Please add the Zeo web Plugin to your chrome browser by clicking here.
Extentions, Zeo Route Planner
2. Open Google Maps in your Browser and add stops that you need to service. Make sure that the first stop is the stop from which you want the trip to start.
Adding Stops2, Zeo Route Planner
3. Click on the Zeo Plug-in at the top and select the option you want.
  • Return to the first stop – this would create a round trip where the user returns to the first stop.
  • End at the last stop – In this case, the trip won’t come back to the first stop. The trip will start from the first stop and end at the last stop.
  • No Last stop – In this case the route can finish at any of the stops apart from the first stop.

Adding Stops2, Zeo Route Planner

4. A new window will appear with the optimized route with the correct sequence.
New Tab2, Zeo Route Planner
5. Send the trip to your phone by clicking on send to the phone and the maps would be in your mobile.
Send To Phone2, Zeo Route Planner

Here is a video explaining the whole process


Google Maps unfortunately has a limit of only 10 stops which can be optimised. If you have more than 10 stops that you wish to service – Do give Zeo route planner a try. Users can create routes with unlimited stops and plans can cost as low as ¢40 per day.

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    Zeo Questionnaire

    Frequently
    Asked
    Questions

    Read More FAQ’s

    How to Create Route?

    How do I add stop by typing and searching? Web

    Follow these steps to add a stop by typing and searching:

    • Go to Playground Page. You will find a search box in top left.
    • Type in your desired stop and it will show search results as you type.
    • Select one of the search results to add the stop to list of unassigned stops.

    How do I import stops in bulk from an excel file? Web

    Follow these steps to add stops in bulk using an excel file:

    • Go to Playground Page.
    • In top right corner you will see import icon. Press on that icon & a modal will open.
    • If you already have an excel file, press the “Upload stops via flat file” button & a new window will open up.
    • If you don’t have an existing file, you can download a sample file and input all your data accordingly, then upload it.
    • In the new window, upload your file and match the headers & confirm mappings.
    • Review your confirmed data and add the stop.

    How do I import stops from an image? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stops in bulk by uploading an image:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • Bottom bar has 3 icons in left. Press on image icon.
    • Select the image from gallery if you already have one or take a picture if you don’t have existing.
    • Adjust the crop for the selected image & press crop.
    • Zeo will automatically detect the addresses from the image. Press on done and then save & optimize to create route.

    How do I add a stop using Latitude and Longitude? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stop if you have Latitude & Longitude of the address:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • If you already have an excel file, press the “Upload stops via flat file” button & a new window will open up.
    • Below search bar, select the “by lat long” option and then enter the latitude and longitude in the search bar.
    • You will see results in the search, select one of them.
    • Select additional options according to your need & click on “Done adding stops”.

    How do I add a using a QR Code? Mobile

    Follow these steps to add stop using QR Code:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • Bottom bar has 3 icons in left. Press on QR code icon.
    • It will open up a QR Code scanner. You can scan normal QR code as well as FedEx QR code and it will automatically detect address.
    • Add the stop to route with any additional options.

    How do I delete a stop? Mobile

    Follow these steps to delete a stop:

    • Go to Zeo Route Planner App and open On Ride page.
    • You will see a icon. Press on that icon & press on New Route.
    • Add some stops using any of the methods & click on save & optimize.
    • From the list of stops that you have, long press on any stop that you want to delete.
    • It will open window asking you to select the stops that you want to remove. Click on Remove button and it will delete the stop from your route.