Route optimisation software

Delivery Route Planning Software for Distribution Businesses

Distribution businesses aren't just planning drops, they're coordinating fleets across depots, balancing bulk and mixed loads, and hitting contracted windows for wholesale and retail customers. Access MaxOptra's delivery route planning software is built for that complexity, generating routes that are efficient, realistic, and ready before the fleet leaves the yard.

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Built for the pressures of distribution

Distribution fleets carry more vehicles, more depots, and more variables than most, and a route that looks efficient on paper can fall apart the moment one of them changes. Access MaxOptra's delivery route planning software is built to handle exactly that.

Automatically optimise your routes, in seconds: produce realistic, achievable, and efficient plans that factor in time, vehicle, and customer constraints
Manage last-minute orders and changes: amend routes right up until vehicles leave the depot, and adjust sequences in real time once they're on the road
Improve fleet utilisation and increase profits: increase drops per route, make the most of driving time, and minimise empty running
Improve the customer experience and reduce churn: keep customers updated in real time with ETA notifications and ePOD

Delivery software for distributors

Manage multi-depot and hub-and-spoke networks

Many distribution businesses don't operate from a single site, they coordinate deliveries across multiple depots, or run a hub-and-spoke network feeding local rounds from a central hub. Delivery route planning software needs to handle that complexity, not just plan for one location.

Plan and optimise routes across multiple depots or warehouses from one system
Allocate orders to the depot best placed to serve them, based on location, capacity, and stock
Coordinate trunking or hub-and-spoke movements alongside last-mile delivery rounds

Handle bulk, mixed-load, and high-volume rounds

A distribution round rarely carries one type of load, pallets, mixed cases, and bulk orders all need to be planned around vehicle capacity, not just delivery windows.

Build routes that respect vehicle capacity, weight, height, and load restrictions
Sequence high-volume, multi-drop rounds so loading and unloading stay efficient at every stop
Factor in live traffic and known roadworks so bulk deliveries stay on schedule

Support 3PL and wholesale delivery commitments

Whether you're delivering on behalf of clients as a third-party logistics provider, or running wholesale routes into retailers, delivery route planning software needs to hit contracted time windows without fail.

Plan routes that respect strict delivery windows agreed with retail or wholesale customers
Give 3PL operators the visibility to demonstrate service levels are being met
Adjust routes quickly when client priorities, volumes, or delivery locations shift

Enhance your fixed routes

Fixed routes are efficient on day one, but they degrade over time as customers, volumes, and priorities shift. Delivery route planning software should catch that drift before it costs you.

Use drag-and-drop functionality to test different route scenarios and see the immediate impact on time, money, and miles
Manage priority customers and route changes without rebuilding routes from scratch
Keep a fixed route network running at its best, rather than letting it degrade over time

Track performance in real time

Once a vehicle has left the depot, delivery route planning software needs to keep you informed, not leave you guessing.

Link to your existing in-vehicle telematics, or use the Access MaxOptra Driver App, to monitor deliveries in real time
Deal with delays or issues proactively, as soon as they occur
Use the day's data for driver debriefing, route refinement, and management KPI reporting

Keep customers informed

A missed or vague delivery window is often the difference between a repeat customer and a lost one. Access MaxOptra keeps customers updated automatically, from dispatch to doorstep.

Proactively send advanced email and SMS ETA notifications
Let customers track updates themselves via the Website Widget
Capture proof of delivery signatures, photos, and comments through the ePOD App

What our customers are saying

The Implementation Team showed me a few things I didn't know... The implementation process made all the difference.

Stephen Pantony - Distribution Manager Farmiloe

MaxOptra has completely transformed our route planning process. It's easy to use, highly responsive, and has saved us significant time and costs. The support team is outstanding, even when our main contact was away, we still received excellent service. We can't recommend it enough!

Jonathan Hall - National Transport Manager Primaflow

MaxOptra has been a game-changer for us. The system's configurability, combined with excellent support from the MaxOptra team, has significantly improved our route planning and overall logistics efficiency. The cost savings and increased confidence in our operations are invaluable.

Joe Wall - Managing Director The Cress Company

MaxOptra is the best system I have worked with. The implementation for planners and drivers has been fantastic, and the system has been easy and straightforward for everyone to learn. The support team are always on hand if we have any questions, and is really quick to respond.

Martin Ssenkayi - Compliance and Fleet Coordinator Involvement

Primaflow F&P

RDO Kitchens

Antifriction

More than delivery route planning software

Access MaxOptra is part of The Access Group, a team of 8,500+ specialists trusted by 160,000+ organisations across 20+ sectors. That means distribution businesses aren't just getting delivery route planning software. They're getting the backing of one of the UK's most experienced and forward-thinking software businesses.

Leading AI capabilities: The Access Group is at the forefront of AI in business software, with ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems. That investment flows directly into how Access MaxOptra's delivery route planning software evolves.

Security and compliance you can trust: Access MaxOptra is backed by The Access Group's rigorous security standards, independently audited and certified across data protection, privacy, and AI. Your data is always safe, private, and handled responsibly.

30+ years of sector expertise: Built on decades of knowledge across logistics, finance, care, legal, and more. We understand the operational pressures distribution businesses face, not just the technology.

A platform that grows with you: As your operation scales, Access has the breadth of solutions to support it. And as our integrations with the wider Access product suite develop, Access MaxOptra's delivery route planning software will connect more deeply with the tools you already rely on.

Whether you're running a fixed route network, coordinating multiple depots, or delivering wholesale and 3PL contracts, Access MaxOptra's delivery route planning software gives distribution businesses the tools to plan smarter and deliver reliably, every time.

Ready to transform your route planning?

See how MaxOptra can reduce your mileage, cut costs and improve the delivery experience for your customers.