Key Takeaways: Waze Route Planner allows users to set numerous stops along a route and select various routing alternatives based on traffic, tolls, and other considerations. Users can also receive real-time updates on traffic events and road conditions as well as share their planned routes with others. Waze provides information on traffic, road closures, and other driving-related topics. Waze also offers a wide range of other services that can improve the driving experience, such as turn-by-turn navigation, voice directions, and social connectivity. Waze is one of the soaring apps, known for its impressive route optimization and other standard features. 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 and road information, along with other helpful information that drivers can use to plan routes more efficiently. The app was developed by Waze Mobile and then acquired by Google in 2013. It is a community-based navigation app. So, users who wish to share live traffic updates, road hazards, and other information can get into the app and help fellow drivers. Read on to know how to plan routes using Waze Route Planner. Forget Spaghetti Routes, Optimize Routes for Your Entire Team with Upper Start a 7-Day Free Trial Table of Contents Waze Route Planner: A Most Used Navigation App by Drivers How to plan Multi-Stop routes on Waze Is Waze better than Google Maps? Waze Vs Google Maps Vs Upper: Which One is Better? Plan and Optimize Routes on Upper and Explore Them on Your Desired Mapping Platform FAQs Conclusion Waze Route Planner: A Most Used Navigation App by Drivers Waze app is a fantastic navigation app that comes with multi-stop route planning as well as other helpful information to make the lives of drivers stress-free. Waze users are greatly benefiting from its turn-by-turn navigation system that provides clear and concise driving directions for a multi-stop route. You can avoid traffic delays with the help of this app on your mobile device. Being a delivery driver, one of the most tedious tasks is traffic congestion! This is where the app comes in handy, as Waze optimize route based on current traffic conditions, so you can avoid congested areas. Moreover, you can also know the cheapest gas prices in your area, which makes it easy for you to save fuel costs. How to Plan Multi-Stop Routes on Waze Planning a multi-stop route with Waze is a straightforward process. Follow these steps: 1. Get started: Open the Waze app. 2. Add your destinations: Enter the first destination in the search bar. 3. Add stops: Tap the blue oval and click “Add a Stop.” Enter the address of the next destination. 4. Preset destinations: Optionally, choose preset destinations like restaurants, hotels, gas stations, or parking lots. 5. Repeat: For additional stops, repeat the previous step. 6. Start navigation: After adding your stops, tap “Go” to initiate navigation. Waze provides turn-by-turn directions for each stop. As you drive, Waze offers real-time updates on traffic conditions, ensuring an efficient journey. You can also customize routes to avoid specific features, like freeways, and receive alerts about traffic delays, accidents, road closures, or police activity. The app even suggests the best time to leave to avoid traffic, provides information on gas prices, and offers rerouting options for faster journeys. Plan Best Routes by Directly Importing Multiple Stops Taking longer than usual to reach your customers? Get highly optimized routes on Upper and skip the long traffic queues. Let Upper save your time and cost throughout the delivery process. Start Using Upper for FREE Is Waze Better Than Google Maps? Waze is often considered the better choice for drivers who want real-time traffic updates and information about road hazards, as the app uses a community-driven approach that allows users to report traffic incidents and other information in real-time. Google Maps, on the other hand, provides more traditional turn-by-turn navigation, with real-time traffic updates based on data from various sources. Google Maps also has extra features, including the ability to search for businesses and locations, view satellite imagery, gas stations, parking lots, and find public transportation options. Waze, on the other hand, focuses more on providing lone drivers with the most efficient route and is often favored by those who prioritize avoiding traffic and finding the fastest route to their final destination. Additionally, advanced trip planning and route optimization capabilities are also vital for businesses, and advance route planning software can significantly enhance these capabilities. Both Waze and Google Maps route planner offer amazing navigation and mapping capabilities. However, they have some variations that might make one of them preferable over the other. Although navigation applications are widely popular among individuals, these create limitations when it comes to businesses. Drawbacks of using navigation apps The main cons of navigation apps are: Outdated information: Although apps for navigation are created to provide accurate directions, they are not always up-to-date. They fail to show recent changes to the road network including new road constructions or detours. Limited stops: They do not offer the level of flexibility and customization that businesses require. For example, you can not do route optimization for extra stops (more than 10) or track the location of vehicles in real-time. Data security: As a business, you would be concerned about the privacy and security of your data collected by these apps. They may prefer to use smarter solutions that comply with data privacy regulations to safeguard their information. Integration with their systems: Many companies have existing fleet management software or GPS tracking systems. Navigation apps may not integrate seamlessly with these systems, requiring additional effort and resources to make them work together. 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 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 Plan and Optimize Routes on Upper and Explore Them on Your Desired Mapping Platform 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 such that drivers can add their preferences and avoid delivery constraints. Here’s why Upper is among the top route planning apps: 1. Plan routes in seconds When you have unlimited stops to schedule, Upper helps optimize and plan 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. How to explore your route map on Waze? Exploring route maps on Waze is simpler than you think. You simply need to add multiple stops to plan routes using Upper and follow the below steps. Step 1: Log into your web app as the admin, 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. See, it’s that simple when you have an advanced multi-stop route planner like Upper by your side. Not only Waze but also you can choose different mapping platforms as per your requirement. Plan Unlimited Routes in Blink of an Eye No one wants to waste time in manual route planning when you have automated route planning options available. Upper is one of them, make the most of it now. Start a Free Trial FAQs How can route optimization solve routing chaos? Route optimization software helps alleviate routing chaos by analyzing real-time traffic data and suggesting the most efficient paths. By considering current road conditions, the app minimizes travel time, reduces congestion, and provides you with accurate and dynamic routes. Does Waze work for commercial routing? While Waze excels in general navigation, it falls short in commercial vehicle routing. It doesn’t consider vehicle size and weight, leading to potential issues like trucks navigating unsuitable roads. Waze lacks features for inputting delivery times and doesn’t optimize routes for multiple stops. Additionally, it doesn’t offer in-depth insights into driver performance and lacks analytics, crucial for fleet management. For more comprehensive commercial routing solutions, dedicated platforms like Upper may be a better fit. Does Waze optimize routes for all vehicles? Waze offers route optimization for various vehicle types, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. However, it’s important to note that Waze may not be the most suitable for certain vehicles. For instance, it may not be the ideal choice for driving a semi-truck as it doesn’t consider weight or length restrictions. Users should be mindful of their specific vehicle requirements when relying on Waze for navigation. How can I become a Waze reporter? To contribute as a Waze reporter, follow these steps: Navigate to the Settings page within the app and select the “Report an issue” option. From there, choose the type of issue you want to report and include additional details, such as photos or videos if needed. Upon submitting your report, the Waze team will review it and take appropriate action. If you prefer to report while driving, click on the orange button in the bottom right-hand corner of your phone screen. This opens a menu with various options, allowing you to report map issues, update traffic information, report road hazards, accidents, police presence, request roadside assistance, update gas prices, or add a new place. What do the different icons in Waze represent? Waze utilizes icons to signify various points of interest and potential hazards on the road. Icons resembling Waze symbols represent other users, each with customized avatars. In addition to user icons, there are symbols indicating the locations of amenities like gas stations, coffee shops, and restaurants. Icons portraying speed traps, police activity, and accidents serve as valuable alerts. Each icon is designed to be self-explanatory, such as the police officer icon, which signifies law enforcement activity in the area. These visual cues contribute to a more informed and collaborative driving experience for Waze users. What integrations are available for Waze? Waze offers several integrations with popular apps and platforms to enhance the overall user experience. Some notable integrations include: Spotify: Users can connect Waze with Spotify to control music playback directly from the Waze interface. Facebook: Waze integration with Facebook allows users to share their real-time location with friends and see their friends’ locations on the map. Contacts: Using this, users can share their Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) with family and friends via SMS, email, WhatsApp, or a shareable link. Calendar: Integration with calendar apps enables Waze to provide timely reminders and route suggestions based on scheduled events. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Waze seamlessly integrates with these in-car platforms. It allows users to display the app on their car’s dashboard for a safer and more convenient driving experience. Weather: Waze integrates real-time weather updates, enabling users to stay informed about current weather conditions in their area. These integrations contribute to a more comprehensive and user-friendly navigation and driving experience for Waze users. How can Waze be connected to a car’s display using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? To connect Waze to a car’s display using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, simply link your smartphone to the car’s infotainment system or use a USB cable, and Waze should automatically open. In case of any connectivity issues, you may need to adjust settings to permit Waze to access the car’s infotainment system. What map display settings can be customized in Waze? Waze allows you to tailor your map display settings for a personalized experience: You will have the option to customize color schemes and choose preferred map orientations. You can decide what information is displayed on the map, such as current traffic conditions or police activity. Additionally, Waze offers flexibility in displaying routes, allowing you to opt for turn-by-turn directions directly on the map. You can even customize settings to choose a light or dark mode, whichever you prefer. What customization options are available for Waze routes? Waze provides users with a range of customization options including preferences for selecting the shortest or fastest route, avoiding specific road types, and prioritizing main roads. Additionally, users can leverage features such as avoiding toll roads, ferries, freeways, and dirt roads. The customization extends further with map display settings and the ability to seamlessly connect to the car’s display. How can you avoid toll roads, freeways, and dirt roads using Waze? Waze empowers you to personalize your routes by avoiding toll roads, freeways, or dirt roads. To avoid tolls and HOV lanes, tap the Routes & HOV button to access a menu that allows you to toggle the option to avoid toll roads. Similarly, you can opt to avoid freeways, ferries, or complex intersections by utilizing the Avoid freeways switch within the Routes & HOV menu. If you are seeking to bypass unpaved roads, the Dirt roads menu allows you to configure your preferences and receive routes that steer clear of such terrain. How does Waze use crowdsourced data to improve the app? Waze relies on crowdsourced data from users to provide real-time traffic updates, road conditions, and incident reports. This collective information is used to continually refine and improve the accuracy of navigation for all user. Can I use Waze without an Internet connection? Yes, you can use Waze without an internet connection. Waze typically requires an internet connection to provide real-time traffic data and navigation updates. However, you can plan routes and access basic map functionality offline by pre-downloading offline maps for specific regions through the app settings. Which is better, Waze or Google Maps? The decision between Waze and Google Maps ultimately hinges on individual preferences. Google acquired Waze in 2013, and while both are under the same ownership, users may favor Waze for its emphasis on real-time data and user-generated content. Waze stands out for its interactive interface. It enables users to actively engage with other drivers and provides clear visibility of elements like police officers and speed traps. It even excels at offering dynamic, real-time updates during commutes. On the other hand, Google Maps provides a broader set of features, including information on entertainment, gas stations, and dining options, enriching the user experience beyond navigation alone. The choice depends on whether users prioritize real-time updates and user interaction (Waze) or seek a more comprehensive mapping and information platform (Google Maps). Does Waze optimize routes? Waze does optimize routes to help you reach your desired destination on time. The app uses real-time traffic updates and data from other Waze users to give you accurate information on road conditions. What features does Waze provide? Waze offers a range of features, including real-time traffic updates, user-reported incidents, turn-by-turn directions, route customization options, integration with other apps, information on gas prices, parking availability, and the location of points of interest. Conclusion While boasting a high level of user engagement, Waze has many users actively contributing to the app by reporting useful information. Additionally, Waze has grown in popularity among drivers due to being integrated with many third-party applications and services. But, if you are running a delivery business, you need an extra edge to optimize routes and streamline other aspects of delivery dispatch schedules. Therefore, you must consider opting for more sophisticated route planners like Upper. It is specifically designed for small or large size teams of drivers or businesses to save their time. Get going with your route optimization journey by signing up for a 7 days FREE trial today. Author Bio Rakesh Patel Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more. Share this post: Tired of Manual Routing?Automate routing, cut down on planning time, dispatch drivers, collect proof of delivery, send customer notifications and elevate your team’s productivity.Unlock Simpler Routing