A Guide to Use MapQuest Route Planner with Multiple Stops

Efficient route planning is crucial, whether you are an individual delivery driver or managing a team of delivery drivers. However, manually planning out routes, considering real-time traffic updates and other constraints, can be a headache.  

Constantly dealing with delays and unhappy clients is a productivity drain that nobody needs. In fact, according to a report by Oracle, 61% of customers want faster deliveries, underscoring the critical role of prompt service in enhancing customer satisfaction and driving profitability.

This is where MapQuest Route Planner comes in as your route optimization savior. 

This route planning app takes the stress out of planning routes, saving time and money. With its advanced routing algorithms, real-time traffic data, multi-stop planning, and route settings, MapQuest guarantees that you arrive at your destination as soon as possible.

But don’t blindly trust my words; in fact, keep reading to find out how MapQuest can transform your daily routing into a streamlined experience.

History of MapQuest Route Planner

MapQuest, a pioneer in digital mapping since 1996, offers turn-by-turn driving directions to clients across America. Over the next decade, “MapQuest driving directions” became a household phrase as the service became colossally famous.

However, as smartphone adoption surged in the late 2000s, the question “What happened to MapQuest driving directions?” began showing up.

Initially, the company faced challenges adjusting MapQuest’s desktop route planner for mobile. However, it regained momentum by redesigning the routing engine, considering mobile functionality. 

The modern MapQuest route planner seamlessly blends accurate route directions with constant traffic updates, multi-stop route planning, and seamless mobile integration. 

From that point forward, MapQuest has continued to be a leader in routing solutions for both individual and business use.

Introduction to MapQuest Route Planner

MapQuest is a powerful route planner designed to generate quick and easy maps for streamlining navigation. It guarantees optimized routes for seamless travel experiences, minimizing fuel consumption along the way.

You can enter multiple stop addresses and let MapQuest automatically optimize the route sequence to minimize total travel time and distance. The planner also accounts for real-time traffic data when calculating the estimated time of arrival (ETA).

MapQuest additionally provides premium tiers with advanced features, for example, custom route editing tools, priority support, and fleet monitoring customized for businesses. So, whether you need basic turn-by-turn directions or advanced solutions, MapQuest offers flexible options to meet your needs.

However, one of the most commonly asked questions is, “Is MapQuest route planner free?” 

The answer is yes. MapQuest offers useful features such as multi-stop routing and traffic optimization, and it is free to all users.

MapQuest allows users to sync routes across devices and share directions via text, email, or mobile apps for added convenience. So, plan your routes with MapQuest to easily locate toll roads and gas stations, and also explore nearby points of interest and attractions.

How to Use MapQuest Route Planner? (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)

Planning efficient routes has never been simpler, thanks to MapQuest. Here’s a simple step-by-step process on how to plan a route with MapQuest Route Planner:

Step 1:

Visit www.mapquest.com and click on “Driving Directions” in the top menu.

To begin using MapQuest, simply head to the MapQuest website and click on the “Driving Directions” link in the top navigation menu. This will take you to the route planning interface, where you can enter your journey details.

Step 2:

In the route planner interface, enter the starting point in the “Start” field and the destination in the “End” field.

In the route planner interface, you’ll see separate fields to enter your starting location and final destination. You can type in a particular location, city name, or zip code, or even browse the map and drop a pin on the desired location. MapQuest’s smart autocomplete makes it simple to find and choose addresses quickly.

Step 3:

To add extra stops, click the “Add Stop” button and enter those locations as well. For multi-stop routes, you can add as many stops as needed.

You have to enter the location of each stop you need to incorporate en route. You simply need to enter the address of each stop you want to include along the way. This could be for making deliveries, sales calls, or service appointments. You can add as many intermediate stops as your journey requires by repeating this process for multiple destinations as well.

Step 4:

On the left sidebar, you’ll find different options to customize your route plan: Set avoid options like tolls, highways, ferries, and more. Switch to a traffic view to see live circumstances influencing travel time. Also, switch between fastest and shortest route preferences.

The left sidebar provides several useful customization choices. You can decide to stay away from specific route elements like tools, highways, or ferries in light of your inclinations. Toggling on the traffic view will highlight live traffic conditions so that you can expect delays. You can likewise set your road trip preferences as either the quickest or shortest choice.

Step 5:

When ready, click the “Get Directions” button at the bottom. MapQuest will calculate and display the optimized route sequence.

Once you have entered your start, end, and via points, along with any custom preferences, simply click the “Get Directions” button. MapQuest’s algorithms will then calculate the optimal route sequence to limit time and distance based on your specifications.

Step 6:

Review the route outline, including total distance, travel time, turn-by-turn directions, and a map view.

The route overview screen shows a synopsis of your planned route, including the total distance, estimated travel time, and a map view to visualize the journey. You’ll likewise see the turn-by-turn directions listed sequentially.

Step 7:

Click “Show Traffic” to visualize live traffic conditions along your planned route.

To get a better sense of current street conditions that might influence your travel time, click the “Show Traffic” button. This will overlay live traffic information on the map, featuring areas with traffic congestion, accidents (mishaps), construction, and so on.

Step 8:

If necessary, click “Edit Route” to adjust the journey by rearranging stops, adding new ones, and keeping away from certain areas, and that’s just the beginning.

Assuming that you want to make any changes following your planned route, click “Edit Route” to access various editing tools. You can reorder or eliminate stops, add new stop points, change avoidance inclinations, or drag the route manually on the map.

Step 9:

When satisfied, click “Print/Share” to access options for printing directions, sending routes to mobile devices, or sharing through text/email.

Whenever you’ve reviewed and finalized your optimal route, click “Print/Share” to get directions for on-the-go access. You can print out turn-by-turn instructions, send the route to your smartphone’s MapQuest app, or effectively share it via text message or email.

With these simple steps, you can efficiently plan routes, optimize multi-stop road trips, and leverage MapQuest’s intelligent routing capabilities. The planner’s intuitive interface and real-time data integrations ensure a hassle-free navigation experience for the users too.

MapQuest vs. Google Maps vs. Upper

Here’s a breakdown of the comparison between the three route planners: MapQuest, Google Maps, and Upper.

Features	Upper	Google Maps	MapQuest
Number of stops	Unlimited	10	26
Analytics and Reporting	Comprehensive reporting and analytics	Limited analytics	Basic reporting
Custom routing preferences	Extensive routing preferences, including time windows, vehicle capacities, and more	Offers limited custom routing preferences	Allows basic route preferences like avoiding tolls or highways
Customer notifications	Automated customer notifications	No notifications	Limited notification options
Proof of delivery	Yes	No	No

Mastering the Routes with MapQuest Route Planner

With its intuitive interface, powerful routing algorithms, and abundance of customization choices, the MapQuest Route Planner enables you to explore the most efficient route.

Whether you’re a delivery professional dealing with numerous stops or an entrepreneur managing multiple drivers, MapQuest Route Planner is the right choice. By following the steps above, you can save time, diminish travel costs, and offer exceptional service to your clients.

So, what are you waiting for? 

Say goodbye to manual route planning and welcome the convenience of MapQuest’s advanced routing technology.

Happy Navigation!