Set Depot Start Address & Run Defaults | StopSorted

Every depot has that one driver who starts the day by calling the office because the run sheet has the wrong depot address. Or the live map shows vans clustered in the wrong suburb. Or someone forgot to set the default stop time, so the sorted stop order thinks every drop takes two minutes.

These small setup gaps cost time. The office fields calls. Drivers wait for corrections. The map lies. And the sorted runs aren't as good as they could be.

This article shows you how to set the depot start address and run defaults once, so every route and the live map use the right place and timing. It's a five-minute job that pays off every day.

How it works

StopSorted uses your depot settings as the starting point for every run. When the office builds a route, or a driver creates one on their phone, the app looks at the default start address, default stop time, timezone, and capacity to sort the stops.

Think of it like this:

• Default Start Address — where the van leaves from. This is the anchor for the whole route.
• Default Stop Time — how long a typical drop takes. The sorter uses this to work out arrival times.
• Timezone — which calendar day the run belongs to.
• Heartbeat Interval — how often the phone checks in so the live map stays current.
• Capacity defaults — a suggested maximum stops or weight, so planners don't overload a van.

Once set, company phones use these defaults automatically. The office can still override per run in Build Route, and drivers can pick a custom start or finish if you allow it.

Step-by-step setup

1. Log in to Fleet Login at /fleet and go to Settings.
2. Pick the Runs tab (the short tabs under the title are Runs, Breaks, Proof & leave, Freight, Tracking, Account).
3. Set Timezone — use an IANA name like Australia/Sydney or America/Los_Angeles. This stamps the calendar day on office-created runs. Drivers still use their phone's day when they create a run.
4. Set Heartbeat Interval — how often phones check in for the live map. Around 45 seconds works for most fleets; you can go roughly 10–300.
5. Set Default Stop Time — how many minutes a stop usually takes. Be realistic; if most drops are 5 minutes, don't leave it at 10.
6. Set Default Start Address — tap Search, type at least four characters, wait for Searching…, then pick a result. Don't just type and hit enter; pick from the list so the map pin is accurate.
7. Tick 'Use start address as finish address' if vans return to the same depot.
8. Set Default Finish Address — tap Search to change it, or Clear if runs should return to start.
9. Set Capacity defaults if you want a suggested max stops or weight.
10. Optionally set other tabs — Breaks, Proof & leave, Freight, Tracking, and Account (Support Email).
11. Tap Save Settings — this saves every tab.

Company phones use these defaults. In Build Route, you can still pick a custom start or finish per phone. To let a driver pick their own start/finish in the app, turn on Allow custom start / end for that phone under Devices → Device Settings. They'll see those options the next time they tap New route.

What the driver sees vs what the office sees

The driver opens the app and taps New route. If custom start/end is allowed, they can adjust the start and finish. Otherwise, the app uses the depot defaults. The sorted stop order is built from the start address, and the driver sees numbered stops with arrival times based on the default stop time.

The office sees the same run on the live map, with the depot as the anchor. The heartbeat interval controls how often the map updates. The office can also build routes in Build Route, where they can pick a different start or finish for a specific phone if needed.

The customer sees a tracking link if you share one, showing the driver's progress toward their stop.

Worked example: a morning that runs smoothly

Before: A depot in Sydney has no default start address set. The office builds a route, but the sorter uses a generic city centre point. The first driver's run starts with a 20-minute detour to the wrong side of town. The live map shows the van in the wrong place. The office gets three calls before 9am.

After: The fleet controller sets the depot start address to the actual yard, sets default stop time to 6 minutes, timezone to Australia/Sydney, and heartbeat to 45 seconds. Now when the office builds a route, the sorter starts from the yard. The driver's first stop is 10 minutes away, not 30. The live map shows the van leaving the yard. No calls. The driver finishes 40 minutes earlier.

That's the difference a one-time setup makes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I set a different start address for one phone? Yes. In Build Route, you can pick a custom start or finish for that phone. Or turn on Allow custom start / end under Devices → Device Settings so the driver can choose in the app.

What happens if I don't set a default finish address? If you tick 'Use start address as finish address', runs will return to the depot. If you clear it and don't set a finish, the run will end at the last stop.

How do I know the start address is correct? After you pick a result from the Search popup, the address is shown. You can also check the live map after a run starts to see if the van is leaving from the right place.

Do drivers see the support email I set? Yes. The Support Email under the Account tab is what drivers see in the app when they need help.

What if my country isn't listed in the timezone? Timezone uses IANA names, which cover most places. If you're unsure, pick the closest major city. Coverage grows country-by-country; Australia is live today, and you can request your country.

Next steps

Set your depot defaults once and every run after that is sorted from the right place with the right timing. It's the foundation for a smooth day.

• Ready to set up? Log in at /fleet and go to Settings → Runs.
• For the full guide, see /help/fleet/set-depot-defaults.
• To approve a driver's phone, follow /help/fleet/approve-driver-phone.
• Questions? Check /how-it-works or /pricing.

StopSorted is built for drivers and fleet controllers who want fewer calls and better routes. Set your defaults, and let the app do the sorting.