How long optimization takes
Most route optimizations in Upper finish quickly. Run time depends on how many stops and drivers you have and how many constraints the optimizer must respect.
Upper optimizes most routes quickly. The more stops, drivers, and constraints a route has, the more sequences the optimizer has to weigh — so larger, more constrained jobs take longer to finish than small, simple ones.
What affects how long it takes
Optimization sequences every stop on a route, and on multi-driver plans it also distributes stops across your drivers. A few things make that work harder and take longer:
- More stops on the route — more stops mean more possible orderings to evaluate.
- More drivers in the plan — distributing stops across a larger fleet adds work.
- Tight time windows on many stops — the optimizer has to test more sequences to fit every window.
- Capacity rules — vehicle and capacity constraints narrow which orderings are valid.
- Stops spread across a wide area — geographically scattered stops are harder to sequence efficiently.
- Workload Distribution mode — balancing modes such as Equalize Workload or Maximize Efficiency add a balancing step.
For the full list of what Upper weighs when it builds a route, see Factors Upper considers during optimization.
ETAs and optimization use historical traffic data, not live traffic. That data is built into the calculation, so it does not add waiting time on your end.
What happens while it runs
You start optimization from the route builder with the Optimize Route button (or Re-optimize Route if the route was already optimized once). When the run finishes, Upper displays the result on the map and in the stop list, and your per-driver routes show their stop counts, total time, and total distance.
If a run is slower than you expect, open the Advanced Settings drawer (the gear icon in the route builder) and review your constraints. Very tight time windows and many drivers give the optimizer the most work to do — loosening what you don't strictly need can help.
Troubleshooting
Your workspace may label drivers and deliveries differently — for example Assign Technicians and Services instead of Assign Drivers and Deliveries. The labels change but the optimization behavior is the same.
Related
Exclude roads or areas from routes
Keep Upper from routing through specific zones by drawing a restricted area on your Service Area map — for closures, no-go neighborhoods, and out-of-service boundaries.
Factors Upper considers during optimization
See what Upper's optimizer weighs — driving distance and time, service time, time windows, driver shifts, vehicle capacity, and more — so you can debug any route.