Routes Review

Developer: Neil Hershman Price: FREE Version Reviewed: 1.0 App Reviewed on: iPhone 5s

iPhone Integration [rating:80/100] User Interface [rating:70/100] Re-use Value [rating:80/100]

[rating:overall]

There are a lot of navigation apps that can get users from Point A to Point B. Routes goes a step further and helps users get to Points B, C, D, and beyond as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Routes begins by prompting the user to input up to three destinations (ten with a Premium in-app purchase). These destinations may be input directly, or users may perform a search for the destination by name or address. Once the destinations are entered, users may also enter the time to be spent at each stop along the way (this is ignored if one is just stopping long enough to drop a passenger off) as well as an arrival time (which may also be ignored if not needed).

When all the destination details have been entered, Routes then displays an itinerary for the entire trip with an optimized travel route for getting to each of the locations as quickly as possible. This briefing screen includes total trip distance and driving time, arrival time, recommended departure time, and detailed route information for each stop along the way.

All of these features are well laid-out and easy to use, making Routes very helpful for planning out a trip - whether it’s a cross-country vacation or driving a group of friends home after a party. But Routes isn’t just for planning the trip, as it also has built-in navigation that will guide the user along the way. This navigation screen is laid out well with large, easy-to-read text above a map of the route. The navigational voice is clear and easy to understand, making it easy to follow while driving.

Users can purchase a 3-month subscription to the premium version (which allows 10 destinations) with a $0.99 in-app purchase, and a 1-year subscription is available for $2.99. Understandably, Routes really shines in its usefulness when it is handling several destinations at once.

Routes is very good at optimizing its itinerary, and it would certainly be helpful to users who find themselves needing to plan out many stops along their way. This would certainly appeal to carpoolers, parents who shuttle multiple kids to different destinations, and anyone who wants to optimize their time and fuel while out running multiple errands. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the navigation voice is a bit behind in giving the directions, but this didn’t happen often and it is something that can be easily addressed in future updates.

Users who need some route planning and optimization will find much to like about Routes. For those willing to purchase one of the premium in-app subscriptions, it's a very handy navigation app that is worth the money.