Your Fastest Route Home with Nearest First or Farthest First

MyRouteOnline offers powerful route optimization features, including the ability to plan routes based on proximity. This can be particularly useful when you’re trying to find the fastest route home or the shortest route home after completing your stops.
To illustrate the difference between Nearest First and Farthest First routing, let’s consider two maps of 14 stops in New York:

Nearest First Route

In this scenario, the route starts with the closest stop to your starting point and progresses outward. This approach can be beneficial for those who prefer to feel they’ve started their day by visiting nearby locations first. It’s often useful when you’re wondering “what’s my best route home?” as it allows you to complete nearby tasks before traveling further.

New York – Nearest first

Farthest First Route

Conversely, this route begins with the most distant stop from your starting point and works its way back. Some customers prefer this method as it allows them to tackle the farthest destination early and visit stops on the return journey. This can be advantageous when you want to find the fastest route home after completing your farthest stops.

New York – Farthest first

To switch between these options, follow these steps:

1. Enter your addresses. You can type them manually or import a spreadsheet.
2. Click Next (the green button at the bottom right corner).
3. Under the Goals tab, scroll down to Optimization.
4. The default setting is Nearest First. To change it, select Farthest First.
5. Click Plan My Route.

The map will now show stops ordered from farthest to nearest from the starting point. This can be particularly helpful when you want to find the fastest route home after completing your farthest stops.

To compare results:

1. Go back to the Goals tab and change the Route departure back to Nearest First.
2. Review both routes to determine which best suits your needs and helps you find the shortest route home.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred route:

1. Click Save Route.
2. Use the MyRouteOnline app to navigate your optimized route.

Whether you’re trying to find the shortest route home or the fastest route home, MyRouteOnline’s optimization tools can help you achieve your goal. By experimenting with both Nearest First and Farthest First options, you can find the most efficient route for your unique situation.
Remember, the optimal choice may vary depending on your specific requirements and the geographical distribution of your stops. Using these features, you can efficiently plan routes that prioritize either nearby or distant stops first, helping you save time and fuel while maximizing your productivity.