Time Windows

The time window feature is currently available for Premium customers only.

Time windows are a way to specify the time constraints for a delivery stop. For example, a delivery or pickup may need to be made between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, or between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Time windows can also be open-ended such as 10:00 am or earlier, or 1:00 pm or later.

EasyRoutes can optimize delivery routes with time windows as long as the route has a scheduled start time and date and one or more stops have a time window associated with them.

To automatically create a route with time windows:

1. Turn on the Time window column in your EasyRoutes Settings under General > Main page options to see which orders have time windows. EasyRoutes supports multiple third-party date picker apps. If the time window is not showing up in EasyRoutes please contact support.
2. Set a scheduled start time and date using the Route scheduling option. This is required so we can calculate ETAs to ensure a stop is delivered within its delivery window.
3. Select and add any orders that have time windows.
4. Set any other necessary route options and click Create route. The route should be created to minimize overall driving time while meeting the time windows. If EasyRoutes is unable to meet the demands of the particular route (e.g., whether due to route duration or delivery windows) the stops will be rejected.

To manually add time windows to a route:

1. Set a scheduled start time and date on the route. This is required so we can calculate ETAs to ensure a stop is delivered within its delivery window.
2. Edit or add a stop and set a time window. To properly handle delivery routes that cross time zone boundaries (e.g., Chicago travelling towards Indianapolis), the time zone of the time window is based the address of the stop.
3. Save changes. You should now see a column of time windows in your local time zone. Stops that are in different time zones will be annotated as such.
4. Re-optimize the route. The route should now minimize overall driving time while meeting the time windows. If EasyRoutes is unable to meet the demands of the particular route (e.g., whether due to route duration or delivery windows) the stops will be rejected.

Since ETAs are an estimate based on historical traffic patterns, EasyRoutes uses a bit of "slack" when optimizing routes with time windows so you may occasionally see ETAs that fall outside of the delivery window. If there is too much "slack" you can adjust the time window and re-optimize to get the desired result.