Route Planning and Optimization Checklist

Load and Constraint Intake

Confirm pickup and delivery windows

For each stop, capture the appointment time, dock-hour range, and any FCFS (first-come-first-served) windows. Flag any window under 60 minutes — those drive sequencing constraints. Note appointment-required shippers separately so they anchor the route.

Verify weight, pallet count, and freight class

Pull weight, pallet count, and NMFC class from the BOL or rate confirmation. Confirm cube fits the trailer (53' dry van ≈ 26 standard pallets / 45,000 lb payload). Hazmat, reefer, and over-dimension loads get flagged here so they don't end up on the wrong equipment.

Flag hazmat and special-handling loads

Identify placardable hazmat (49 CFR 172), reefer set-points, food-grade tanker washouts, team-required loads, and high-value freight. Each category restricts which drivers and equipment can run the lane.