Set a driver's start location
Set where a driver begins their route in Upper Route Planner. The start address feeds the optimizer so the first stop and route timing come out accurate.
The start address tells Upper Route Planner where a driver begins their route. It lives on the driver's profile, and the optimizer uses it as the first point when it plans the route.
Upper uses driver and delivery labels by default. Some workspaces are configured to show Technician and Service instead, so your screens may read "Technician" where this article says "driver."
Why the start address matters
The optimizer treats the start address as the route's origin. From there:
- The nearest stop to the start address is typically sequenced first.
- The travel time from the start address to that first stop counts toward the total route duration.
An accurate start address produces accurate route timing and a sensible stop order. A vague or wrong one produces odd sequencing and unreliable estimates.
Use the most specific address you can. A full street address gives the optimizer a precise origin; a city or ZIP alone produces approximate routing.
Before you start
- Plan — Available on every plan.
- Access — An account that can manage users.
- The driver's real starting point — Depot, warehouse, or home, whichever matches where the driver actually begins.
Set the start address on the driver profile
The start address is part of the driver's profile, so you set it when adding the driver and can change it any time from the same panel.
Open the Users list
In the left sidebar, go to Manage → Users.
Open the driver's profile
For an existing driver, click the kebab (…) menu on that driver's row and choose Edit User. To set it while creating a driver, click + Add User.
Find the Start Address field
In the slide-in panel, scroll to the Start and End Location section. Enter the driver's starting location in the Start Address field.
Save
Click Save. The optimizer uses the new start address the next time you plan a route for this driver.
Common scenarios
- Driver starts from a depot or warehouse — Enter the depot/warehouse address as the start address.
- Driver starts from home — Enter the driver's home address. The optimizer plans the first stop closest to where that driver begins.
- Your team uses different start points on different days — Update the start address on the profile before you plan that day's route.
If a driver also returns to a fixed location at the end of the day, set the End Address in the same panel. See Set a driver's default start and end locations.
Troubleshooting
Related
Set driver-specific skills or capabilities
Upper has no automatic skill-matching. Use vehicle settings, capacity, max stops, service areas, and pre-assigned drivers to route specialized work to the right driver.
Set driver working hours
Set each driver's shift start and end times on their profile in Upper so routes are built and assigned to fit inside the driver's working window.