Google Maps route planner and tools like Waze or Apple Maps are limited in finding the shortest route from one point to another. MapQuest is a popular and reliable personal navigation tool used for daily deliveries and road trips.
To maximize the use of MapQuest, it is essential to understand how to map out multiple destinations and optimize travel time and fuel consumption. In this article, we’ll show you how to map out multiple destinations using MapQuest.
Key Features of MapQuest Route Planner
MapQuest offers similar features to Google Maps and Apple Maps, including free driving directions and multiple-stop mapping. Some key features of MapQuest Route Planner are as follows:
- Can plot up to 26 stops on one route, surpassing Google Maps and Apple Maps.
- Provides real-time traffic information for the quickest or shortest route.
- Customize routes to your vehicle type to avoid tolls, highways, or ferries.
- Provides live traffic info to steer clear of jams.
- Offers turn-by-turn MapQuest driving directions on your phone.
- Enhances navigation with up-to-date maps, satellite imagery, and speedometer.
- Saves frequent destinations for quick access and planning.
- Find points of interest, hotels, and food options.
- Checks weather updates, compares gas station prices, and provides roadside help.
MapQuest is a dependable tool for anyone making an effective trip plan because of these qualities.
How To Use MapQuest Route Planner To Plan Routes?
The MapQuest route planner is user-friendly and can be easily used on any device, with five straightforward steps to plan your route.
- Step: Open MapQuest
- Navigate to the MapQuest route planner on the website or mobile app.
- Use the simple interface for easy use.
- Use three options for address entry: Line-by-Line, Copy/Paste, and Import.
- Ensure correct format for accurate route plan.
- MapQuest allows up to 26 stops on a single route plan, beneficial for food delivery, eCommerce logistics, and service technician industries.
- To enhance route customization, navigate to “More Route Settings”.
- MapQuest can help avoid toll roads, ferries, country borders, and other inconveniences.
- Reorder stops on the multi-stop route planner or enable the round-trip checkbox.
- MapQuest’s automation capabilities enable the search for the most efficient route for numerous trips.
- Click the “View Route Directions” button to view your complete route.
- View step-by-step directions, total distance, estimated travel time, and IRS reimbursement value.
- Share directions through email, links, or mobile numbers.
- Print out the route plan or have driving directions in words along with the map image.
Use MapQuest Route Planner with Multiple Stops
The MapQuest route planner allows users to map multiple destinations, suitable for professional drivers and short road trips. The “Get Directions” function is ideal for simple trips of up to four stops.
To get directions on MapQuest, click on the menu button, select “Get directions,” add destinations, and customize your route to avoid toll roads, highways, and ferries.
MapQuest’s route planner is recommended for businesses planning multiple stops for service calls. It offers more options like adding multiple addresses, re-ordering stops, and optimizing for the shortest distance or time. The mileage feature allows users to display unit measurements in kilometers or miles.
However, these features could be better, as changing the order of stops in the field is manual and the planner doesn’t automatically optimize new routes. This results in more manipulation in the app, wasting driver time and potentially delaying service calls. Therefore, few professional logistics operators rely on MapQuest for business use.
Ways to Add Multiple Stops to a MapQuest Route Plan
To create a route with multiple stops in Route Planner, follow these steps:
- Click “Route Planner” on the MapQuest site or app.
- Add destinations using three options.
- Customize the route with “More route settings.”
MapQuest provides three methods for submitting addresses on its route planner page.
Line-by-line: This option is a time-consuming method for typing addresses, but it’s best for a few destinations. MapQuest uses your IP address to suggest the most likely destinations based on your location. It starts with two address fields, but you can add more until you reach the maximum. Multiple route options are offered to reach your destinations.
Copy/Paste: This option is useful for importing addresses from a file and importing them into MapQuest’s blank field, but it’s crucial to ensure each stop is placed on its line.
Import: List with multiple addresses, use the import method, and ensure the file is formatted correctly. The columns should be in the order of Street, City, State, Zip, Country (optional), and Notes (optional).
MapQuest offers templates for users to import, where users can download and input addresses to avoid formatting issues. Once ready, the spreadsheet can be uploaded into the upload box or selected from the device.
Learn to Use the Advanced Route Planner
MapQuest Route Planner is a useful tool for casual users and small businesses, offering ease of use, multiple-stop optimization, and route preferences. MapQuest is a useful tool for recreational road trips, but its functionality falls short for logistics professionals. Therefore, delivery businesses or field service organizations should use dedicated route planning software instead of MapQuest for efficient logistics.
Zeo Route Planner, on the other hand, is designed for complex business needs. It offers superior route optimization and the ability to add 2000+ stops per optimization. To learn more about Zeo, book a free demo with us!
