> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.probaseapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Planning routes

> Optimize driving routes for efficiency

## Overview

Route planning helps you minimize driving time and fuel costs by finding the most efficient order to visit customers. Probase includes both manual and automatic route optimization.

## Optimization options

**Manual reordering:**

* **Reorder stops** — Drag appointments into any order you choose from the calendar's Day view. Great for quick, hands-on adjustments. See [Reordering stops](/routes/reordering-routes).

**On-demand optimization:**

* **Optimize drive** — Let ProBase calculate the best stop order for one crew right from the Reorder stops panel. Tap the button, review the result, then apply or cancel. See [Optimize your drive automatically](/routes/reordering-routes#optimize-your-drive-automatically).

**Background optimization:**

* Enable in **Settings** (under BUSINESS in the sidebar) to automatically optimize routes whenever appointments are created. Routes update silently in the background — no action required.

## Detailed guides

**[Reordering stops](/routes/reordering-routes)** — drag-and-drop manual reordering and on-demand Optimize drive, both from the calendar's Day view.

**[Route optimization](/routes/optimizing-routes)** — how Optimize drive works, how to enable background auto-optimization, and requirements.

## When to use each option

**Enable auto-optimization when:**

* You want routes updated automatically as you schedule appointments
* You'd rather not think about optimization at all

**Use Optimize drive when:**

* You want to review the optimized order before applying it
* You made last-minute additions or changes and want to recalculate
* You want to see the total drive time and time saved before committing

**Drag stops manually when:**

* You want to hand-pick the exact order
* You know the neighborhood better than the optimizer
* You have a specific customer you want to visit first

## Requirements

To use route optimization:

* Crews must have a start location configured
* Properties must have valid addresses (geocoded)
* At least 2 stops (appointments and/or manually added route stops) must be assigned to the crew for the date

## Next steps

* [Set up your crews](/getting-started/adding-crews) with start locations and start times
* [Create appointments](/scheduling/creating-appointments) for your customers
* [Reorder stops](/routes/reordering-routes) to manually adjust or auto-optimize a crew's route