What is the Routes tool and how do I use it?

When searching for shipments, you’ll either be flexible with your destination or have a specific route in mind. While the CitizenShipper Search tool works for both scenarios, the Routes tool is especially useful when you already know where you're headed.

By adding your predefined route, you’ll enable instant notifications whenever a new shipment is posted along that route. This saves you from a lot of searching—just set your route and let CitizenShipper do the hard work for you.

Why is the Routes tool useful?

1. Finding extra shipments. If you've already won a shipment, you'll most likely want to find more shipments along the same route. This maximizes your earnings per mile and makes your trips more profitable. If the booking was made on CitizenShipper, you will already receive notifications for new shipments along that route. However, if the shipment was booked elsewhere, be sure to manually add the route to stay informed.
2. Visiting family or friends. Planning a trip to visit loved ones? This is a great chance to cover the expenses for a family trip. Simply add the route, and you'll be notified of any new shipments along the way. This allows you to offset costs not only on your way there but also on your return trip.
3. Exploring new destinations. Have you ever wanted to visit a specific location but never had the opportunity? Drivers have used CitizenShipper to visit destinations like Niagara Falls, Miami Beach, and many other wonderful places in the US. While coordinating multiple trips isn't exactly a vacation, you can still create routes to places you’ve always wanted to see.
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Adding a new route

First, navigate to the Routes screen, then click "Add New" to start creating a new route.

Afterward, enter your From and To cities, give an optional name for the route, and press Add Route.

Note: Routes must be between specific cities; state-to-state routes are not currently supported.

That's it! Once your route is saved, you’ll receive notifications whenever a shipment is posted along that path.

A note on notification settings

To ensure you receive notifications for new shipments along your route, check your Notification Settings. It may already be selected for you, but just to be sure, verify the “New shipment along my routes” line:

Make sure to enable notifications via email, SMS, or both so you never miss an opportunity.

By taking advantage of the Routes tool, you can streamline your workload, maximize earnings, and even turn routine trips into profitable opportunities. Happy shipping!

What to read next

For more advice, check out our articles on the shipment search tool (2-min read) and on notification settings (1-min read).

For advice on managing your CitizenShipper profile, see Setting up your account.

For advice on winning shipments, see Bidding and payments.