Why Amazon Flex Drivers Need Route Optimization
Amazon Flex drivers pick up packages from a delivery station and get a route with 30-50 stops. Amazon's built-in routing is famously bad — it often sends you zigzagging across neighborhoods, wasting gas and time. A good route planner can save 20-40 minutes per block and $5-10 in fuel.
What to Look for in a Route Planner
As a Flex driver, you need a tool that is:
- Fast — You have minutes at the station to scan packages and reorder your route
- Free or cheap — Flex pay is tight; $20-40/month tools eat into earnings
- Google Maps compatible — You need to navigate with Google Maps, not a separate app
- Mobile-friendly — You are doing this from your phone at the station
The Best Options in 2026
1. Routes (routes.fleto.app) — Best Free Option
Price: Free (10 stops, 5 routes/mo) | $19/mo for 25 stops
Best for: Quick route optimization with Google Maps export
Routes lets you paste your stop addresses, click optimize, and export directly to Google Maps. The free tier handles up to 10 stops — enough for smaller Flex blocks. The Starter Team plan at $19/month handles up to 25 stops, which covers most standard Flex routes.
Pros: No app install, instant Google Maps export, works on any device
Cons: Free tier limited to 10 stops and 5 routes/month
2. Circuit / Spoke — Best Mobile App
Price: Free (10 stops) | $20/mo individual
Best for: Drivers who want a dedicated mobile app with in-app navigation
Circuit has a polished mobile app that lets you scan packages and optimize routes on your phone. The downside is the cost — $20/month eats into Flex earnings quickly.
3. Routific — Best for High Volume
Price: Free (100 orders) | $150/mo
Best for: Drivers with their own delivery businesses beyond Flex
Routific is overkill for most Flex drivers but powerful if you also run your own delivery operation.
4. Mapquest Route Planner — Free But Limited
Price: Free
Best for: Drivers who need basic multi-stop planning without optimization
Mapquest lets you enter multiple stops for free, but it does not truly optimize the order — it just gives you directions in the order you entered them.
How to Optimize Your Flex Route in 3 Minutes
- At the station: Scan your packages and note the delivery addresses
- Open Routes: Paste all addresses into the optimizer
- Click Optimize: The algorithm reorders stops by shortest distance
- Export to Google Maps: One click sends the optimized route to your phone
- Start delivering: Follow Google Maps turn-by-turn with the optimized order
Real Savings for Flex Drivers
Based on driver reports, route optimization typically saves:
- 20-40 minutes per block (finish faster, take another block or go home)
- $5-10 in gas per block (less backtracking = fewer miles)
- $150-300/month if you drive 5 blocks/week
At $19/month, Routes pays for itself in a single block.
Try It Free
Start with the free tier — 10 stops, 5 routes/month. If it saves you time on your first block, upgrade to Starter Team for unlimited routes and 25 stops.