Set Your Delivery Run Start and Street Side

Your Run, Your Way: Set the Start and Street Side

Every driver has a preference. Maybe you like to finish the day close to home, or you want the first delivery to be quick and easy. Maybe you've driven the same streets for years and know exactly which side of the road you like to work. StopSorted gives you control over two simple choices before you leave the depot: where the run starts and which side of the street you work first. This article explains what those choices mean for your day and how to set them up.

If you've ever finished a shift and realised you've driven past the depot three times, or you've had to cross a busy road for every single delivery, this is for you. A few minutes of setup can save you time, fuel, and frustration.

How It Works

StopSorted sorts your stops into the most efficient order for real roads. But 'efficient' can mean different things to different drivers. So before the app calculates your route, you tell it two things:

1. Where to start the run – either the far side of the town (working back toward the depot) or the side you drive into (starting near the depot and finishing far away).
2. Which side of the street to work first – left, right, or both sides in one pass.

These choices change the numbered stop order you see on your phone. The app uses your preferences to build a route that matches how you like to work.

Step-by-Step Setup

Before you hit 'Sort', here's how to set your preferences.

1. Open the StopSorted app on your phone and log in.
2. Go to your run settings – look for the 'Route preferences' or 'Sorting options' section.
3. Choose your start point – you'll see two options:

• Work back toward the depot (default): The route starts on the far side of the town and snakes its way home. You finish at the depot after the last stop.
• Start on the side you drive into: The first stop is on the way into town, and you finish on the far side, meaning a longer drive home.

1. Choose your street side preference – you'll see three options:

• Doors on both sides (default): The route hits left and right doors in one pass up a normal street, so you don't have to come back for the other side.
• Left side first: The route works all left-side doors before crossing over, if needed.
• Right side first: The opposite – all right-side doors first.

1. Save your preferences.
2. Sort your run – tap the 'Sort' or 'Plan' button. Your stops will be renumbered according to your choices.

That's it. The numbered stops are now your pick sequence for the day.

What the Driver Sees vs. What the Office Sees

When you're on the road, your phone shows a numbered list of stops in the order you'll do them. Each stop has the address and a map link. You follow the numbers, and the app updates as you go.

The office (if you're part of a fleet) sees a live map of all vehicles. They can see where you are, but they don't see your personal route preferences – they just see progress. Your preferences are yours, and they don't affect the office's view.

If you're a solo driver, you just see your own run.

Concrete Example: Two Ways to Do the Same Suburb

Let's say you have 20 deliveries in a suburb. The depot is on the south side. The town stretches north.

Option A: Work back toward the depot (default)

• Your first stop is the northernmost point.
• You work your way south, street by street, and your last stop is right near the depot.
• After the last delivery, you're already home – no empty drive back.

Option B: Start on the side you drive into

• Your first stop is just past the depot, on your way north.
• You work north, and your last stop is on the far side.
• After the last delivery, you have a long empty drive back to the depot.

The outcome: On a single-town day, the total time for both options is usually the same. You're just moving the long empty stretch from the morning (when you're fresh) to the afternoon (when you're tired). If you prefer to get the long drive over with first, choose Option B. If you'd rather finish near the depot, choose Option A.

Street side matters on roads with a median island or dual carriageway. If you're on a divided road, you can't just cross over – you have to go to the next intersection. The app keeps those sides separate automatically. But on a normal street, you can hit both sides in one pass, saving you from doing one side now and the other on the way back.

FAQ

Can I change these settings after I've sorted?

No – you need to change them before you hit 'Sort'. The numbered stops are your pick sequence, so a live numbered run is not reshuffled mid-run. If you want to change, you'd need to sort again.

Does starting on the far side always take less time?

Not necessarily. On a one-town day, the total time is usually the same – you're just moving the long drive from morning to afternoon. The benefit is where in your day you'd rather have that empty stretch.

What if I have a mix of streets with medians and normal streets?

The app knows the road types. On normal streets, it may put both sides in one pass if you choose 'Doors on both sides'. On divided roads, it will keep sides separate automatically, because you can't cross over safely.

I prefer to work only left-side doors. Is that okay?

Yes – choose 'Left side first'. That suits drivers who like to stay on one kerb, like mail-style runs. You'll do all left-side doors first, then cross over (where safe) for the right side.

Ready to Set Your Preferences?

Your run should work for you, not the other way around. StopSorted gives you the freedom to choose how you tackle a town. Whether you want to finish near the depot or get the long drive out of the way early, just set it and sort.

Check out our pricing to see which plan fits you, or dive into the guide for more details. If you're a fleet, you can get everyone on the same page with fleet pricing. For a deeper look at how street-side sorting works, see the guide.

Start sorting your way today – try a free run and feel the difference.