Re-optimize after making changes
After editing a route in Upper, click Optimize Route again to recalculate the best stop sequence using your current stops, settings, and driver assignments.
A route is only as good as the inputs behind it. When you add or remove stops, reassign a driver, change a time window, or switch an optimization setting, the sequence Upper calculated earlier may no longer be the most efficient one. Re-optimizing is how you bring the route back in line with reality — you run the same optimization engine again, this time with your updated inputs, instead of rebuilding the route from scratch.
This guide uses Upper's default driver and delivery labels (Assign Drivers, Share to Drivers). Your workspace may be set to show Technician and Service instead — for example, "Assign Technicians" and "Share To Technician." Both label sets control the same features.
When to re-optimize
Re-optimize whenever you change something that affects the math behind the route.
| Change | Re-optimize? |
|---|---|
| Added or removed stops | Yes |
| Changed a driver assignment | Yes |
| Moved stops between drivers | Recommended |
| Changed a time window | Yes |
| Updated service times | Recommended |
| Switched Optimize For (Time vs. Distance) | Yes |
| Manually reordered stops on purpose | Optional — see the note below |
Re-optimize a route
Make your changes
Edit the route as needed — add or remove stops, reassign drivers on the Assign Drivers tab, adjust a stop's time window, or open Advanced Settings to change an optimization option such as Optimize For (Time or Distance).
Click Optimize Route
Use the Optimize Route button to run the optimization again. Upper recalculates the best stop sequence from the route's current stops, settings, and driver assignments.
For a single-driver route where you want to keep the exact order you entered, use Quick Share instead — it shares the route without re-sequencing. Optimize Route is what reorders the stops, and it's required for routes with more than one driver.
Review the updated route
Check the new sequence on the map and in the Routes (stop list) view, and use the Timeline view to see per-driver stop counts, total time, and distance. Stop ETAs are based on historical traffic data.
Share the changes to your drivers
When the route looks right, click Share to Drivers to push the updated sequence to the driver mobile app. Drivers receive the new order through the Upper driver app.
Keep part of a route as-is
If you've manually reordered a route to handle something the optimizer can't see, re-optimizing may reorder those stops again. To protect a route from being re-sequenced, open the Timeline view and use the lock padlock on that driver's route. A locked route is held in place when you optimize the rest of the plan; unlock it when you're ready to let Upper re-sequence it again.
If you've put a route into a deliberate manual order, lock it before you re-optimize the plan. Otherwise the next optimization may replace your manual sequence with a freshly calculated one.
Common scenarios
- Three new stops added mid-morning — Add them, then click Optimize Route so the driver hits them in the most efficient order rather than tacked on at the end.
- Driver swap before dispatch — Reassign on the Assign Drivers tab, re-optimize, then Share to Drivers.
- Customer changed their time window — Update the stop's window and re-optimize so the new constraint is respected.
- Switched from shortest time to shortest distance — Change Optimize For in Advanced Settings, then re-optimize for a sequence tuned to the new preference.
Troubleshooting
Related
Print a route manifest
Print a route manifest PDF in Upper from the route's action menu — a paper backup of the stop list for drivers without phone access and warehouse loading.
Rename a route
Rename a route in Upper Route Planner using the pencil icon in the route builder. Clear, descriptive names make routes faster to find, filter, and share.