What to Gather Before Requesting Route Coverage

Route Purpose

Start by explaining why the route is needed. This helps determine whether the request is a recurring route, backup route, scheduled transfer, local delivery route, regional route, or route replacement.

• Recurring daily delivery route
• Weekly or scheduled pickup and delivery route
• Inter-facility transfer route
• Warehouse-to-office delivery route
• Branch-to-branch delivery route
• Medical office or healthcare-related route
• Production parts or supply route
• Retail replenishment route
• Customer delivery route
• Backup coverage for an internal driver or existing route
• Multi-stop delivery route across Chicago, Chicagoland, or regional delivery lanes

Pickup Locations

List every pickup location involved in the route. Include details that may affect timing, access, parking, loading, or driver instructions.

• Pickup business name
• Pickup street address, city, and ZIP code
• Pickup contact name and phone number
• Pickup window or required departure time
• Dock, warehouse, suite, office, front desk, or receiving instructions
• Parking or loading instructions
• Security desk, gate, access code, or check-in requirements
• Whether items are ready at the same time each route day

Delivery Stops

List every delivery stop, including the order if the route already has a preferred sequence.

• Delivery business name
• Delivery street address, city, and ZIP code
• Delivery contact name and phone number
• Required delivery window
• Stop order or preferred sequence
• Receiving instructions
• Dock, front desk, suite, warehouse, department, or jobsite notes
• Parking, gate, security, or building access notes
• Whether signature, photo proof, or other confirmation is needed at each stop

Route Frequency and Schedule

Route frequency helps determine staffing, vehicle planning, timing, and service availability.

• Daily route
• Weekly route
• Multiple days per week
• Specific days of the week
• Morning, afternoon, evening, or after-hours route
• Weekend route
• Custom schedule
• Seasonal or temporary route coverage
• Backup route coverage only when needed

Route Timing and Service Windows

Include all timing details that matter for pickup, delivery, production, receiving, customer expectations, or appointment windows.

• Earliest pickup time
• Latest acceptable pickup time
• Required delivery windows for each stop
• Hard deadlines versus flexible delivery windows
• Expected route duration
• Whether stops must happen in a specific order
• Whether the route is tied to production, inventory, patient schedule, jobsite timing, retail hours, or office hours
• Whether waiting time may occur at any stop
• Whether the route schedule changes by day

Shipment Details

Royal Courier will need to understand what usually moves on the route.

• Typical shipment description
• Number of pieces per pickup or stop
• Approximate dimensions and weight
• Packaging type, such as envelope, box, tote, carton, case, crate, or pallet
• Whether item volume changes by day
• Whether items are fragile, high-value, urgent, business-critical, or difficult to replace
• Whether items need special handling review
• Whether photos of typical shipments are available

Vehicle and Equipment Needs

Vehicle and equipment requirements can affect whether a route can be covered and what type of service may be appropriate.

• Passenger vehicle, cargo van, box truck, or straight truck
• Liftgate truck
• Pallet jack
• Hand truck or dolly
• Dock-high access
• Forklift availability
• Inside delivery needs
• Stairs, elevators, ramps, or long carry paths
• Whether items require two-person handling review

For heavy, palletized, crated, or dock-limited shipments, review Liftgate Delivery and the Liftgate Delivery Requirements Index.

Documentation and Proof-of-Delivery

Recurring routes often need consistent confirmation at every stop. Include any documentation, signature, photo, or reporting requirements.

• Signature requirements
• Photo proof requirements
• Delivery timestamp requirements
• Recipient name capture
• Paperwork return requirements
• Bill of lading, packing slip, work order, or route paperwork
• Stop-by-stop confirmation
• Exception reporting if a stop cannot be completed
• Who should receive route updates
• Whether route completion reports are needed

Special Handling, Access, and Route Notes

Small details can make or break a recurring route. Include anything that helps prevent missed stops, failed deliveries, timing problems, or access issues.

• Building access notes
• Gate codes or security instructions
• Receiving hours
• Lunch closures or restricted receiving times
• Parking restrictions
• Loading dock limitations
• Suite, floor, department, or contact changes
• Fragile item notes
• Do-not-stack, do-not-tilt, or orientation notes
• Weather exposure concerns
• Customer-specific instructions
• Known route problems or prior delivery failures

Backup Route Coverage

Some businesses need route coverage when their normal driver, internal employee, or regular carrier is unavailable. If the request is for backup route coverage, include the reason and timing.

• Driver vacation coverage
• Employee call-off coverage
• Seasonal surge coverage
• Temporary route replacement
• Overflow delivery route
• Emergency route coverage
• Carrier failure or missed route recovery
• How much notice is available before coverage is needed
• Whether route training, ride-along, written instructions, or stop list review is available