GPS navigation apps have been a godsend for courier drivers in helping them plan the quickest and most efficient way to make their deliveries.
While some courier drivers rely on their own knowledge of the area, most rely on the use of good navigation apps.
Here the courier van insurance experts at Adrian Flux root out some of the best GPS navigation apps to download onto your phone. We’ve even found some that don’t need constant internet access, which is handy if your 4G breaks down or reception is a little iffy.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels.
1. RouteXL
The biggest drawback with most apps is they work brilliantly if you need directions from A-B, but if you have multiple drops to factor into your day’s work, they begin to struggle.
The RouteXL algorithm sorts addresses to minimise the overall duration of the route, saving time and fuel and, at the same time, lowering costs and emissions. You just add your departure location and all destinations to the map, press enter and the app calculates your route. Addresses can be imported from spreadsheets or e-mail, with simple copy and paste, making it one of the most popular van sat nav apps.
The route will be shown on the map and the directions can be printed to take with you. It can also be exported to sat nav devices and navigation apps, emailed to friends or colleagues, or shared on social media.
2. Google Maps
Google Maps is arguably the most well known of the navigation apps. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panoramic views of streets, real-time traffic conditions, and simple and very reactive route planning. Google Maps is used by more than 1 billion people every month around the world. They can’t all be wrong!
3. Navmii
Navmii is free to install, with maps being available for just a few pounds and, as you would expect, it is compatible with iPhone, Android and Windows. Simple and fast, Navmii delivers everything you need from offline route planning. The pop-up ads may frustrate, but you can block these for a small charge.
4. TomTom GO
You have to pay for this app, which rather sticks in one’s craw, but it’s only £13 a year to sign up. However, TomTom GO offers a great navigation experience. You download maps before you start, meaning it works well even in areas of low reception. Mapping is crystal clear and there is a brilliant speed camera locator function.
5. CoPilot Premium
CoPilotPremium’s latest update offers a fast and reliable mapping system. Maps cost between £5 and £30, and voice navigation can be added for £10. It maps well and provides good alerts about problems on your route and handles detours very well. You can select 2D or 3D maps.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels.
6. HERE WeGo
With its very detailed mapping, HERE WeGo is brilliant for navigating large towns and cities offline. It boasts easy-to-follow route details, is very simple to use and – bonus – it’s free!
7. Apple Maps
Just like Google Maps, Apple Maps is one of the most used navigation apps in the world. For Apple users this will be their default mapping system, and thanks to its easy to use functionality, it’s one of the most straightforward to use for navigating in strange areas.
The voice-guided instructions make driving a breeze, and better still it’s free to use. The only cost to you will be if you go over your monthly internet data limit. And like its main competitor, Google Maps, Apple is constantly rolling out new features and upgrades to the latest roads.
8. Waze
Waze has taken the delivery drive scene by storm in recent years, especially since the covid pandemic, with an estimated 140 million users. The main feature of this app is to provide real-time traffic alerts, so you can avoid congestion when making your drop offs.
Due to the sophistication of Waze it will divert you away from long queues, as well as prioritising your fuel efficiency to make sure your tank goes the extra mile. And just like Google and Apple, it’s completely free to use.
9. Sygic
Sygic has been around for longer than Waze, and unlike its rival you can use this clever app offline, meaning you don’t have to worry about going over your monthly data charge.
This GPS app’s key features include traffic and parking support, 3D maps, and fuel pricing information, making it a driver’s top choice.
Insurance for courier van drivers
Finding an insurance company that offers good deals on van insurance can be difficult, especially ones that take your individual needs into account.
At Adrian Flux, we offer van insurance that’s tailored to your delivery or courier work, providing you with the peace of mind that your vehicle is covered. Call us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that suits you.
And if you use a sat nav or mobile phone to help plan your routes, it’ll be reassuring to know that Adrian Flux can also offer highly competitive insurance for all your portable electronic gadgets from as little as £49.99 a year.