How to Use Waze Route Planner for Efficient Route Navigation?

Waze is one of the soaring navigation apps, built for drivers who value real-time, on-the-road awareness.

With around 140 million active users, the Waze app has made it to the list of popular route planners. 

It provides real-time traffic updates, road hazard alerts, and crowd-sourced data that help drivers make quicker, smarter decisions.

In fact, in 2025, Waze rolled out some impressive features like heads-up display (HUD) integration and conversational reporting, standing tall as a go-to solution for everyone who wants real-time insights without the complexity of traditional GPS systems. 

But here’s the catch: many users still wonder how to plan routes with Waze and whether they can add multiple stops. 

More importantly, where does it fall short, and what can you do about it?

That’s exactly what this blog will uncover — a step-by-step breakdown of how to use Waze Route Planner effectively and what to do when Waze isn’t enough.

How to Plan Multi-Stop Routes on Waze?

The following are the 6 simple steps on how to add multiple stops on Waze:

1. Download and open the Waze app on your Android or iOS device.

2. Select your vehicle type (motorcycle, private, or taxi) 

3. Choose routing options such as avoiding ferries, freeways, and toll roads. 

4. Enter the first destination in the search bar and hit “Go Now.”

5. Tap the bar at the bottom showcasing the estimated time and kilometers, and select “Add Stop” to plan a drive with multiple stops on Waze. 

Optionally, choose preset destinations like restaurants, hotels, gas stations, or parking lots.

Note: Waze allows you to add only one besides your start and end destination. 

6. After adding your stop, tap “Go” to initiate navigation. Waze provides turn-by-turn directions for each stop.

You can share the route with your friends or family by tapping on the bottom bar. You will find the “Share drive” button; click on it and send the route via multiple ways, like Gmail, WhatsApp, and many other options. 

As you drive, Waze offers real-time updates on traffic conditions, ensuring an efficient journey.

The app even suggests the best time to leave to avoid traffic, provides information on gas prices, and offers rerouting options for faster journeys.

What are the Common Issues on Waze and How to Resolve Them?

1. Issue: “Add a stop” option is not visible.

Solution: Once you tap “Go now” to start navigation, the “Add a stop” will be visible in the information bar, which has ETA, kilometers, and other relevant details. 

2. Issue: It keeps recalculating the route even when driving. 

Solution: Disable battery saver or background data restrictions to avoid recalculation of the route. Ensure you have a strong GPS signal and your WiFi is off, as it can cause location drift.

3. Issue: Waze suddenly closes or becomes unresponsive

Solution: Make sure the app is updated to the latest version. If the issue still persists, switch off your phone and turn it back on after a few minutes.

In case none of these work, clear the app cache:

• Android: Phone Settings > Apps > Waze > Storage > Clear Cache
• iOS: Reinstall the app (no cache clearing option)

4. Issue: Waze routes you into traffic or road closures. 

Solution: Go to Waze Settings > Navigation to cross-check if “Traffic view” is enabled. Ensure your internet is stable for accurate, real-time updates.

Who Can Use Waze?

Waze trip planner is a free navigation platform that is built for everyone, but its capabilities will depend on its usage; for instance, 

• Delivery drivers: Ideal for short deliveries with 1 stop. It provides real-time traffic rerouting and hazard alerts for a seamless drive. 
• Sales teams: It helps sales reps arrive on time for their meetings. However, this may not be the best choice for complex daily routes. 
• Personal travel: Perfect for occasional commutes, road trips, and navigating unfamiliar cities with live updates and simple directions.

How Does Waze Use Your Data?

Waze collects your account information, like email, favorites, calendar events, location, and route data, device and app metadata, to personalize your experience. 

With this data, Waze gives route suggestions, traffic alerts, departure reminders, and offers tailored ETAs and ad services based on your habits and behavior.

What are the Best Safety Tips While Using Waze?

Here are some of the best safety tips while using Waze: 

• Always use voice navigation on Waze to get step-by-step directions and alerts of speed limits and hazards without having to look at the screen.
• Activate “Ok Waze” to set destinations, report hazards, or change settings through voice command. 
• Don’t hold your phone or put it on your lap. Instead, mount it on the windshield or dashboard within your eye’s visibility for a convenient and secure drive. 
• Plan your routes and adjust preferences before hitting the road. 
• Don’t use the app while driving. Park the vehicle at the side and make desired changes to your route. 
• Switch to night mode or enable auto-brightness to reduce glare on the screen during night drives.

What are Some Expert Tips from Waze Users?

Below are some expert tips from Waze users:

• Mark your office, home, and frequent destinations as favorites for quick and easy access. 
• Let Waze tell you the best time to leave based on live and predicted traffic with the “Plan a drive” feature.
• Enable “Auto Zoom” for better visibility.
• Sync your phone calendar to get accurate ETAs and suggestions of routes from Waze for your upcoming meetings and appointments. 
• Connect Waze with your preferred audio player (Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube Music) to listen to your favorite hits without leaving the navigation screen. 
• Tap the orange “Report” button to report accidents, road closures, or police presence. 
• Switch your profile to “Invisible mode” in the settings to stay off the live map and maintain privacy while still navigating.

Where Can You Find More Waze Resources and Community Help?

• Waze Help
• r/Waze (Reddit)
• Waze Blog

Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Upper: Which One is Better?

If your work involves planning routes with dozens of stops and making unlimited deliveries, you need something more than just a navigation app. 

Below is the comparison table of Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Upper that will help you choose the best for your business:

Feature	Waze	Google Maps	Upper Route Planner
Real-time traffic data	Yes	Yes	Yes
Analytics and reports	No	No	Yes
Optimizes more than 10 stops	No	No	Yes
ETA	Yes	Yes	Yes
Offline maps	Limited	Yes	Yes (only in app)
API integration	Limited	Yes	Yes
Multi-driver routing	No	No	Yes
Recurring route planning	No	No	Yes
Mobile app experience	Strong with real-time alerts	Smooth but basic	Seamless and is driver-friendly with a wide range of features
Business use	No	Limited	Yes

Plan and Optimize Routes on Upper and Explore Them on Waze

While talking about the most popular multi-stop route planners out there, Upper comes with the best optimized route combinations to reach from point A to point B. 

The intelligent algorithm is made in such a way that drivers can add their preferences and avoid delivery constraints. 

This is why Upper is among the top route planning apps:

1. Plan routes in seconds

When you have unlimited stops to schedule, Upper advanced route scheduling software helps optimize, plan, and schedule ultrafast multi-stop routes, keeping all your locations in perfect sequence. 

It takes only a few seconds to get the most efficient delivery routes for multiple locations.

2. Access routes on other platforms

If you or your drivers are using default navigation applications, including Google Maps, Yandex, or Waze Map, you can set these in your Upper profile. 

Later, you can open pre-planned routes on the platform you choose. This gives flexibility and convenience to your delivery team.

3. Dispatch routes instantly

Once optimized routes are ready, you can share them with your delivery drivers in a single click. They will get their assigned route schedules on their driver app or via text/email message, whichever option they choose. 

4. Customize routes

With Upper, you get control over your route preferences. You can avoid tolls, highways, ferries, or certain zones, and even set driver-specific constraints like shift timing and capacity. 

The routes can be adapted based on priority stops or client time windows for successful and seamless deliveries. 

5. Adjust routes on the go

Don’t cancel or change the entire route to add last-minute stops. Add as many stops as you want and optimize them in real-time. You can even reassign stops or reroute drivers and notify them instantly of the updates. 

6. Track progress

Plan smarter with effective monitoring. View delivery status and ETAs in real-time and get proof of delivery via digital signatures, photos, and notes. 

Analyze the performance of drivers to measure success and identify key indicators of improvement. 

How to navigate your route on Waze?

Navigating a route on Waze is simpler than you think. 

You simply need to add multiple stops to plan routes using Upper and follow the steps below:

Step 1: Log into your web app as the admin, and go to your profile tab at the bottom left.

Step 2: Click on “Settings.”

Step 3: Choose “Waze” from the drop-down of “Default Navigation Map.”

Step 4: Once done, your assigned driver can explore route plans in Waze on their mobile phone.