Balance workload across drivers
Distribute stops fairly across your drivers in Upper using one of five workload distribution modes — equal stops, equal time, max efficiency, or fewest drivers.
When you optimize a route across more than one driver, Upper decides how to split the stops between them. Workload Distribution lets you control that split — choose how stops are shared so the day ends roughly when it should for everyone, or so you use the fewest drivers possible.
This guide uses Upper's default driver and delivery labels. If your workspace is set up for service work, you may see Technician and Service wording instead (for example, "Assign Technicians") — the behavior is the same.
Before you start
- Plan — Multi-driver workload balancing is available on Optimize and Enterprise plans. On other plans the Workload Distribution option is locked and shows an upgrade prompt.
- Drivers — Add at least two drivers to your route so there is a workload to split.
- Workload Distribution only changes how stops are shared between drivers. To control whether Upper optimizes for time or distance, see optimize for time vs distance.
The five distribution modes
Upper offers five workload distribution modes:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Auto Workload Balancing | The default. Upper balances the routes for you. |
| Equalize Workload (Equal Stops) | Aims to give each driver the same number of stops. |
| Balance Workload (Equal Time) | Aims to give each driver the same total route time. |
| Maximize Efficiency | Reduces the total time to complete all stops across the fleet. |
| Min Drivers | Completes the work using the fewest drivers possible. |
Auto Workload Balancing is the safest starting point. If one driver consistently finishes well after the others, switch to Balance Workload (Equal Time) — equal stop counts can still hide uneven route times.
Set the workload mode for a route
You choose the workload mode in Advanced Settings on the route you are optimizing.
Open the route builder
Open the route you want to optimize.
Open Advanced Settings
Click the gear (Advanced Settings) icon to open the Advanced Settings drawer.
Pick a Workload Distribution mode
Under Workload Distribution, select one of the five modes.
Save and optimize
Click Save Changes. Saving can re-run optimization so the route reflects the mode you picked.
Workload Distribution also appears in your User Settings as an account default that feeds into optimization, so new routes can start with your preferred mode. The same five modes are available there.
Min Drivers — using the fewest drivers
When you choose Min Drivers, Upper completes the route's stops using the smallest number of drivers it can rather than spreading the work across everyone. Use it when you want to keep headcount lean on lighter days. If you want every selected driver to receive stops instead, switch back to Auto Workload Balancing.
Workload distribution and pre-assigned stops
If you have locked certain stops to specific drivers, those assignments take priority — the optimizer places the pre-assigned stops first and then distributes the remaining stops according to the workload mode you picked. See assign specific stops to specific drivers for the full flow.
Troubleshooting
Related
What the driver app home screen shows
The Upper driver app opens to your assigned routes — there's no accept or decline. Tap a route to see its stops, map, and totals, then start when you're ready.
What happens when capacity is exceeded
When stops exceed your drivers' vehicle capacity in Upper, the optimizer can't fit everything and leaves the overflow as unscheduled stops for you to review.