Multi-drop route planners that help large fleets work at peak efficiency

Running a large fleet in the UK is no easy task. Between tight delivery windows, low-emission zones, driver shortages, and the rising cost of fuel, managing multiple drops across dozens or even hundreds of vehicles quickly becomes complicated. That’s where multi-drop route planners come in.

These tools use advanced optimisation to cut wasted miles, reduce costs, and keep customers happy. While plenty of apps cater to small businesses and solo drivers, only a handful are built with scalability in mind using the kind of power needed by national courier services, retailers, and logistics companies managing large fleets.

Descartes: best for complex, large-scale UK fleet operations

Descartes is widely regarded as the UK’s leading solution for large-scale multi-drop operations. It’s particularly strong for large fleets where operational efficiency and cost control are critical. They’ve got a great FAQs section on multi-drop route planning which you can find here.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Handles multi-depot, multi-region delivery scenarios
• Optimises routes based on live and historic traffic, vehicle capacities, delivery windows and existing delivery commitments
• Dynamic scheduling for both regular and one-off customers
• Built-in ability to manage collections and returns

Key features:

• Proven algorithms that analyse traffic flow, geography, and depot proximity
• Depot allocation to reduce costs by sending orders from the most efficient location
• Automatic customer notifications to improve first-time delivery success
• Integration with wider logistics and compliance solutions

SmartRoutes: for delivery teams scaling quickly

SmartRoutes is a good fit for UK businesses scaling up from small teams to regional or national coverage. Its ease of integration with eCommerce platforms makes it especially appealing for retailers and D2C brands.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Unlimited stops and multi-vehicle optimisation
• Easy bulk upload of delivery addresses
• Designed for businesses looking to scale beyond small delivery teams

Key features:

• Desktop and mobile apps with real-time sync
• Proof of delivery capture
• Integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce for retail fleets
• 7-day free trial available

Onfleet: enterprise last-mile delivery management

Onfleet is one of the pricier options, but it’s designed to handle the demands of high-volume, last-mile delivery networks across the UK. Its customer-facing features help reduce failed deliveries and improve service levels.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Feature-rich platform tailored for large-scale delivery companies
• Strong focus on customer communication (live ETAs, SMS updates)
• API integrations for complex logistics setups

Key features:

• Route optimisation with real-time traffic data
• Proof of delivery (photo, signature, barcode scan)
• Advanced reporting and analytics for fleet performance

OptimoRoute: best for medium-to-large businesses with growing fleets

While its desktop interface is a little dated according to some users, OptimoRoute offers strong scalability for fleets transitioning from regional to national coverage. It’s a budget-friendly option compared with enterprise-heavy platforms.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Scales well as fleets expand
• Supports thousands of orders and hundreds of drivers at once
• Balances workloads across the fleet to maximise efficiency

Key features:

• Desktop planning with a driver mobile app
• Automatic scheduling for recurring orders
• 30-day free trial available

Route4Me: for growing UK fleets needing flexibility

Route4Me is a versatile platform that works well for growing businesses but may become expensive at scale. It’s useful for UK operators needing flexible route planning across multiple vehicles.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Scalable solution with support for complex routing
• Flexible subscription model depending on number of vehicles
• Suitable for businesses evolving from smaller operations into bigger networks

Key features:

• Route optimisation across multiple drivers
• Integration with navigation apps for UK drivers
• Web and mobile platforms available

Circuit for Teams: user-friendly scaling

Circuit shines for its user-friendly design, making it easy for large teams to adopt quickly. However, the cost ramps up as fleets grow, so it’s more of a stepping stone than a full enterprise solution.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Intuitive interface, easy for drivers to adopt
• Supports unlimited stops on mobile
• ‘Teams’ package designed for dispatchers managing multiple drivers

Key features:

• Desktop and mobile functionality
• Proof of delivery and customer notifications

TrackPOD: affordable option for large fleets, on the smaller side

TrackPOD is ideal for UK businesses growing their fleets into double figures but not yet needing enterprise-scale tools like Descartes. It offers usable interfaces, comes with affordable route optimisation solutions and can integrate with other tools including electronic proof of delivery.

Why it’s suitable for larger fleets:

• Affordable route optimisation for growing UK delivery businesses
• Includes proof-of-delivery features often locked behind higher tiers elsewhere
• Best for companies moving from small to mid-sized fleets

Key features:

• Real-time tracking and route updates
• Electronic proof of delivery (photo and signature)
• Integrations with eCommerce platforms

Summary:

Route Planner	Best for	Key Strengths	Limitations	UK suitability
Descartes	Enterprise fleets	Handles complex multi-depot, multi-region ops, advanced algorithms	Enterprise-level pricing	Strongest option for large UK fleets
SmartRoutes	Scaling delivery teams	Unlimited stops, eCommerce integrations	Limited free trial	Good for retailers & D2C
Onfleet	Enterprise last mile	Rich features, customer comms, proof of delivery	Expensive	Excellent for high-volume couriers
OptimoRoute	Medium-to-large businesses	Affordable, workload balancing	Dated interface	Scales well in UK logistics
Route4Me	Growing fleets	Flexible, scalable	Can get pricey at scale	Solid UK coverage
Circuit for Teams	Large teams needing simplicity	Easy to use, unlimited stops	Pricing escalates fast	Practical for UK courier teams
TrackPOD	Smaller large fleets	Affordable, proof of delivery	Basic compared to enterprise tools	Best for mid-sized UK fleets