This article explains how to enable and use the Route Load Task in Onfleet. The Route Load Task is a pre-route driver activity that allows your team to verify all packages being loaded onto a vehicle before a route begins - helping ensure complete deliveries, establish a chain of custody at the hub, and improve overall route accuracy.
For a driver support article on managing Route Load Tasks on the driver app, please go here.
Note: To use Route Load Task, your organization must use Route Plans (either through optimization or manual creation). Route plans must start at a hub.
This article covers:
- Enable Route Load Task
- Configure Driver App Settings
- Create a Route Load Task Using Route Plans
- Create a Route Load using Route Optimization
- Workflow
- Frequently Asked Questions
Enable Route Load Task
To enable Route Load Task, navigate to "Settings" then select the "Organization" tab. Under the "Route Plans" section, enable "Create Route Load Task". You can also set a default service time for the Route Load task, which will be factored into Route Optimization.
Once enabled, a Route Load task will be automatically generated for any manually created routes that starts at the hub, and it will also appear as an option during the Route Optimization process for hub-starting routes.
You can double-click a Route Load Task to view task details before a driver starts the route, and history once a driver has completed the route load.
Create a Route Load Task Using Route Plans
To create a route load using route plans, select the tasks you would like to include in your route plan, right click and select "Create Route".
Once you are in the Route Plan window, select a team hub for the "Start" location of your route plan, then enter any other details, and select "Create Route". Your route plan will be created with a Route Load task at the hub location you selected.
Create a Route Load Using Route Optimization
When you are using the Route Optimization tool, select "Route Load Task" to create a Route Load task once the optimization is complete.
To ensure the Route Load task is created, the start location for the optimization must be a hub.
Configure Driver App Settings
To allow drivers to manually verify packages, navigate to "Settings", then select "Driver App". From this section you will see "Route Load Tasks", and you can enable "Allow drivers to manually confirm packages". Select "Done" to save your changes.
Onfleet recommends keeping manual confirmation enabled even if barcode scanning is your primary method since this serves as a fallback for unreadable barcodes or camera issues.
Note: Adding barcodes to tasks is currently only available via the Onfleet API. Support for adding barcodes through the dashboard UI is planned for a future update.
Workflow
The Route Load Task consolidates all package barcodes associated with planned drop-off tasks into a single pre-route activity for drivers to complete before beginning their route.
- When a route starts at a hub and includes two or more drop-off tasks, the barcodes from each drop-off task are automatically summarized into the Route Load task.
- The Route Load task must be completed before a driver can begin any other drop-off or pickup tasks on the route.
- The Route Load task has its own service time, which can be set independently from drop-off and pickup tasks to ensure more accurate ETAs.
- Before a Route Load task has started, drop-off tasks with barcodes can be added or removed, and the Route Load task will update automatically.
- Once a Route Load task has started, no additional barcodes can be added or changed.
- Routes that include a Route Load task can still be edited, and the Route Load task itself can be deleted if needed (e.g., an ambulance-style route where a driver is not loading packages from the hub).
- If a driver does not load an expected package, they must select a reason code — triggering a real-time alert for dispatch.
- Routes that start at a Driver's Address or Driver's Location will not include a Route Load task.
- Route Load is compatible with API-based route optimization, as long as all settings are configured and the route starts from the hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I configure the Route Load service time?
Navigate to Settings > Organization > Route Plans and set the estimated loading time. This value applies to all Route Load tasks and can be overridden per optimization run.
When I optimize a route, why wasn't a Route Load task created?
During optimization, you must manually select Create Route Load task in the optimization settings screen. This option does not auto-select.
Is Route Load the same as Bulk Pickup?
No. Route Load is specifically tied to loading packages at the hub before a route begins. Bulk Pickup (multi-order pickups at non-hub locations) is a separate capability on the product roadmap.
Can I add barcodes after a Route Load task has started?
No. Once a Route Load task has been started by the driver, barcodes cannot be added or changed.
Why would I disable manual verification for drivers?
Scale and Enterprise customers may choose to disable manual verification to enforce barcode scanning as the required verification method. Launch plan customers will always rely on manual verification, as barcode scanning is not included in that plan.
Is Route Load supported on both iOS and Android?
Yes. Route Load is supported on the latest versions of both iOS and Android. Ensure drivers are running the most current version of the Onfleet driver app for the best experience.